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.
Functional Dissection Of The Malaria RhopH Complex And Its Contribution To New Permeation Pathways
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$604,718.00
Summary
The ability of Plasmodium to invade and remodel its host erythrocyte are the most significant contributors to its ability to cause the disease malaria. This project aims to understand how proteins secreted from a specialized rhoptry organelle during erythrocyte invasion help Plasmodium to remodel the erythrocyte so that the parasite can gain access to the vital nutrients it requires for survival. This research will validate whether drugs targeting the rhoptry proteins are viable drug targets.
Understanding Virulence Of Invasive Staphylococcus Aureus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$772,711.00
Summary
Staph aureus (Golden staph) is a major cause of disease in humans. In this project we will use state-of-the-art molecular biology and genomics to fully understand the mechanisms of virulence in this pathogen. This information will inform future approaches to development of therapeutics, as well as the use of genomics in clinical microbiology and disease management.
KRAS- And BRAF-Mediated Methylation Signatures In Colorectal Cancers And Polyps
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$457,076.00
Summary
Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting Australians. We hypothesise that there are different types of bowel cancer depending on different genes that can be inactivated abnormally, and these subgroups have different clinical features and responses to therapy. We aim to identify the major gene changes that characterise these subgroups, which will in the future allow the development of gene markers for early detection as well as the possibility of individualised patient therapy.
Defining Key Mechanisms That Underpin Neuropathogenesis Of Varicella Zoster Virus During Herpes Zoster
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$616,518.00
Summary
Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a herpesvirus which causes chicken pox and shingles. Shingles affects many elderly people and a major complication is prolonged severe neuropathic pain, often needing follow-up medical care for months to years. Despite its impact on the community, little is known about how this virus functions and causes disease. We aim to improve our understanding of how VZV interacts with nerve cells to provide essential new information for the development of effective treatment ....Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a herpesvirus which causes chicken pox and shingles. Shingles affects many elderly people and a major complication is prolonged severe neuropathic pain, often needing follow-up medical care for months to years. Despite its impact on the community, little is known about how this virus functions and causes disease. We aim to improve our understanding of how VZV interacts with nerve cells to provide essential new information for the development of effective treatments for shingles and associated neuropathic pain.Read moreRead less
An Investigation Into Pathogen-specific Factors Required For Drug-resistance And Viability Of Candida Albicans
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$337,614.00
Summary
We identified proteins required for growth and drug resistance of the fungus Candida albicans, a major hospital-acquired human pathogen. Candida infections target the immunocompromised and mortality is huge (?30-50%). We will use cell biology, genetics and biochemistry to characterise these proteins. Importantly, these factors are present in fungi, but absent from humans. Therefore our study will help development of new strategies for antifungal treatments.
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.
Mechanisms By Which Varicella Zoster Virus And Herpes Simplex Virus Control Host Functions To Enhance Pathogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,999.00
Summary
Varicella Zoster Virus and Herpes Simplex Virus are alpha-herpesviruses that cause diseases in a majority of the human population. This proposal will explore issues fundamental to disease and pathogenesis of these two closely related herpesviruses, focusing on how these viruses can control host function. In particular, we will define the interactions between these viruses and the natural killer (NK) cell response.
Wnt And MAPK Signalling In The Determination Of Colorectal Neoplasia Pathway
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$397,179.00
Summary
Polyps are growths in the bowel that may progress to become a bowel cancer. To prevent the development of cancer, these polyps must be removed by timely colonoscopy. There are many different types of bowel polyps, and these are associated with distinct genetic changes and likelihood of recurrence. This study aims to better understand the DNA changes that occur in bowel polyps and how these impact the clinical features of the polyps. In the future this will aid detection and surveillance strategi ....Polyps are growths in the bowel that may progress to become a bowel cancer. To prevent the development of cancer, these polyps must be removed by timely colonoscopy. There are many different types of bowel polyps, and these are associated with distinct genetic changes and likelihood of recurrence. This study aims to better understand the DNA changes that occur in bowel polyps and how these impact the clinical features of the polyps. In the future this will aid detection and surveillance strategies.Read moreRead less
Defining A Novel Mechanism Of Control Of Host Functions By Human Cytomegalovirus That Enhances Viral Pathogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$616,518.00
Summary
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) remains a significant human pathogen which causes serious and often life-threatening disease in immunosuppressed people such as bone marrow and solid organ transplant patients and in unborn babies infected during pregnancy. This project will define how HCMV controls host defences by actively modifying the cells it infects to create an environment favourable to continued viral infection and disease.