Novel Serological Tools To Aid Malaria Elimination In The Asia-Pacific
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,362,749.00
Summary
In 2014 Asia-Pacific leaders pledged a malaria free Asia-Pacific by 2030. We will contribute to this goal by developing novel antibody detection tests that can identify people with current and recent past infections. We will then evaluate the utility of these tests both in mass screening and treatment programs and for the rapid delineation of areas where transmission persists from those where it has been eliminated. This will address two major roadblocks to malaria elimination in our region.
Development, Regulation And Role Of Innate Immunological Memory In Malaria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$563,860.00
Summary
Innate immunity is traditionally considered to be a short-lived, non-specific first line of defense against pathogens. However, recent reports suggest that innate immune cells can learn from previous pathogen encounters, resulting in enhanced responses on repeat infections with the same pathogen. We will study the role and regulation of innate immunological memory during malaria infection. This will advance our understanding of malaria immunology and will likely aid in the development of vaccine ....Innate immunity is traditionally considered to be a short-lived, non-specific first line of defense against pathogens. However, recent reports suggest that innate immune cells can learn from previous pathogen encounters, resulting in enhanced responses on repeat infections with the same pathogen. We will study the role and regulation of innate immunological memory during malaria infection. This will advance our understanding of malaria immunology and will likely aid in the development of vaccines.Read moreRead less
Helminth Secreted Proteins – From Anthelmintic Vaccines To Therapies For Autoimmunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$739,893.00
Summary
Human helminths (worms) cause chronic disease in developing countries, yet their disappearance from developed countries has been accompanied by an increase in the prevalence of autoimmune and allergic diseases. My resesarch focuses on the proteins these worms secrete and their use in (1) the development of anthelmintic vaccines, and (2) the development of novel anti-inflammatory molecules to treat autoimmunity, particularly diseases affecting the gut.
Analysing the protective role of platelets during malaria infection. Platelets protect the host during malarial infection. This project aims to study how platelets kill the malaria parasite by investigating the role of host molecules and their potential as novel antimalarial agents. The role of platelets in the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria syndrome will also be investigated.
Apical Membrane Proteins As Targets For A Schistosomiasis Vaccine
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$480,459.00
Summary
Schsitosomiasis is a chronic neglected tropical disease for which there is currently no vaccine. A vaccine is sorely needed to control this parasite. This proposal seeks to identify molecules from the outer surface of the parasite which are recognised by the immune system of people from Brazil who are resistant to schistosomiasis. Molecules identified in this manner will be tested as vaccines in an animal model of schistosomiasis, and ranked based on their performances to enter human trials.
Understanding Immune Regulation During Parasitic Diseases.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,010.00
Summary
Chronic infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and leishmaniasis are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. They are all characterised by severe immune dysfunction. We will study a parasitic infection to identify important immune cell populations and molecules that promote chronic infectious disease. This knowledge will enable the development of better treatments and vaccines for range of infectious diseases that affect people in many parts of the world.
The Differential Contribution Of Programmed Death-1 Ligands To Malarial Immunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$327,784.00
Summary
This research aims to understand how the Malaria parasite, which causes one of the world’s deadliest diseases, evades immunity. It will provide a significant advance in our knowledge of immunity against malaria and impact on current strategies to develop an efficacious vaccine or treatment for malaria.
The Role Of Duffy And PF4 In The Platelet Killing Of Malaria Parasites.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$350,045.00
Summary
Platelets in the blood can kill the Plasmodium parasite, which lives inside red blood cells and causes malaria. Platelets bind parasite-infected red cells and release a molecule that is toxic to the parasite. This project will study why a red cell molecule called Duffy is also needed for this function of platelets. Most Africans carry a gene for Duffy that stops its expression in red cells, and may therefore be more susceptible to malaria because their platelets cannot kill the malaria parasite.
INSIDE THE SKIN: UNDERSTANDING DIFFERENT HOST RESPONSES IN SCABIES
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$499,095.00
Summary
Scabies is an underlying cause of poor health in indigenous communities worldwide. Crusted scabies is a poorly understood, life-threatening form of the disease compromising the success of community control strategies. This research compares the immune response in the skin of scabies patients, and in a world-first animal model of human scabies. This will reveal specific immune defects predisposing to disease, ultimately resulting in improved skin health for disadvantaged communities