Characterising The Role Of IL-37 In The Development Of H. Pylori Infection.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$641,992.00
Summary
H. pylori infects more than 50% of the worlds population and is the causative agent of gastric cancer, the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Infection with H. pylori occurs during early childhood and persists within the host for life, causing immune suppression and therefore preventing clearance of the infection from the individual. We will examine a newly identified mechanism of H. pylori-induced immune suppression in humans in an attempt to provide novel treatments.
Dissecting The Pathogenic Triad Of Enteric Pathogens: Assembly, Structure And Function Of Autotransporter Proteases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$639,428.00
Summary
SPATEs are proteases secreted by many enteric bacteria that contribute to their pathogenic potential by damaging host tissues and evading the host immune response. We aim to study the structural basis of their assembly and biological function. The information we gain will assist the development of new diagnostics and improved therapies for enteric infections.
Evolution And Pathogenicity Of NDM-1 Positive Escherichia Coli
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$643,275.00
Summary
Antibiotic resistance (AR), as highlighted by the WHO, is the most pressing medical need of the 21C – some infections are now untreatable. Our research will focus on the new "superbug" NDM-1 positive E. coli. We will correlate AR and pathogenicity and explore the evolution of these "superbugs" using state-of-the-art sequencing. This research will benefit Australian medicine by predicting timelines of AR epidemics and by conducting the first analyses on the virulence potential of these strains.
A Mechanism For Regulation Of Oral And Gut Microflora By Interaction Of Salivary Metabolites With Breast Milk
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$616,687.00
Summary
Saliva "lacks the drama of blood, the sincerity of sweat & the emotional appeal of tears". But spit has important roles for the mouth & digestion. Now researchers in Brisbane have found baby dribble has natural chemicals that form ‘nucleotides’ in cells. They are testing the theory that the nucleotides encourage friendly bacteria in the mouth & gut. When baby saliva mixes with breast milk it also makes natural antibiotics called 'oxidative radicals' that stop bad bacteria. This may be part of th ....Saliva "lacks the drama of blood, the sincerity of sweat & the emotional appeal of tears". But spit has important roles for the mouth & digestion. Now researchers in Brisbane have found baby dribble has natural chemicals that form ‘nucleotides’ in cells. They are testing the theory that the nucleotides encourage friendly bacteria in the mouth & gut. When baby saliva mixes with breast milk it also makes natural antibiotics called 'oxidative radicals' that stop bad bacteria. This may be part of the mechanism ensuring "Breast is best" for babies.Read moreRead less
Investigating The Host Determinants Of Viral Clearance Versus Collateral Pathology In Chronic Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,250,756.00
Summary
Hepatitis B virus has infected over 2 billion people. Some people control the virus but it remains incurable and there is a lifelong risk of liver cancer. Understanding how host cells interact with the virus, the mechanisms the cells use in an attempt to eliminate the virus and the mechanisms the virus uses to sabotage these responses, will provide insights that could lead to therapies. Potential therapies could be applicable to other infections like HIV-1 and tuberculosis.
Characterizing The Molecular Mechanisms Of Clinically Important Bacterial-fungal Interactions; The Potential To Uncover Novel Therapeutic Targets
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$480,492.00
Summary
In hospitals and in nature, diverse microbes, such as bacteria and fungi, often live in close proximity to each other. Their interactions can either be helpful or detrimental to one another, and such interactions are likely important for their ability to cause human disease. This proposal aims to study the mechanisms by which bacteria interact with fungi and by doing so, will identify important mechanisms of how microbes cause human illness and also uncover new targets for antibiotic development ....In hospitals and in nature, diverse microbes, such as bacteria and fungi, often live in close proximity to each other. Their interactions can either be helpful or detrimental to one another, and such interactions are likely important for their ability to cause human disease. This proposal aims to study the mechanisms by which bacteria interact with fungi and by doing so, will identify important mechanisms of how microbes cause human illness and also uncover new targets for antibiotic development.Read moreRead less
Role Of Streptococcus Agalactiae Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate Dehydrogenase (GAPDH) In Infection And Potential As A Target To Control Colonization In The Female Genital Tract
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$677,177.00
Summary
Extracellular proteins produced by pathogenic bacteria can facilitate microbial colonization of the host by mediating binding to host cells and by modulating the immune system. These proteins exert their effects by subverting specific elements of the immune system and this can allow infection to worsen. This project will increase our understanding of how this bacterium chronically colonizes humans and will identify the potential of a bacterial protein, termed GAPDH, as a target for control.
Integrated Bacterial Genomics And Virulence Analysis Of Uropathogenic Streptococcus Agalactiae
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$747,457.00
Summary
Urinary tract infections (UTI), which start as a bladder infection and often evolve to encompass the kidneys, are among the most common infectious diseases in humans. Streptococcus agalactiae is an important cause of gram-positive bacterial UTI. We will study the genomes and functions of specific genes in reference strains of this bacterium isolated from patients with different forms of infection to elucidate how bacterial genes and virulence factors contribute to these types of infections.
Uncovering Novel Roles Of Escherichia Coli Flagella And LPS In Uropathogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$404,677.00
Summary
Urinary tract infections (UTI) are common infectious diseases in humans. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) cause most UTI. UPEC produce factors that promote their survival and influence disease such as flagella. We have identified anti-inflammatory responses as a key element of UTI and have shown that these responses contribute to control of UTI. In this project, we will investigate how the UPEC flagella component, FliC, contributes to anti-inflammatory responses and what this means for UTI.
Functional Characterisation Of The Malaria Protein Export Machinery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$556,104.00
Summary
The ability of malaria parasites to cause one of the most devastating infectious diseases of humans is in part due to their ability to export hundreds of proteins into their host red blood cells to obtain nutrients, evade the immune system and contribute to associated pathologies. Recently, we discovered the molecular machine that exports proteins into the host cell and so now we wish to establish how it works so that drugs can be tailored to block it to kill these parasites.