Coordinating Neuroimmune Sensory Networks In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$884,405.00
Summary
Living organisms use cellular rhythms to optimize their energy use and cellular responses. Our proposal aims to produce significant new fundamental knowledge by elucidating the fundamental cellular and molecular biology of innate cells, their role in mucosal homeostasis and tissue repair pathways in the gut. Understanding this foundational process of cellular regulation will generate new basic knowledge and may lead to better management systems.
Wheat Proteins, The Duodenal Microbiome And Immune Activation In The Aetiopathogenesis Of Non-coeliac Gluten Sensitivity And Functional Dyspepsia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,997,150.00
Summary
Functional dyspepsia, characterised by troublesome pain in the upper abdomen, or an inability to finish a regular sized meal, is common, affecting up to 15% of Australians. There are no effective treatments. This project will evaluate the role of diet, in particular wheat, as a driver of the subtle inflammation and disturbances in the microbiome seen in the small intestine of functional dyspepsia patients, and test whether a gluten or wheat free diet is an effective treatment option.
Presentation Of Metabolite Antigens By MR1 Molecules: A Fundamental System Of Immune Priming
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$883,832.00
Summary
Our immune system constantly monitors our body for disease-causing microbes, such as bacteria that cause illnesses like pneumonia or tuberculosis. Our cells have a molecular alarm-system called 'MR1' which alerts white blood cells that an infection by microbes is occurring, however this process is not well understood. This grant will allow me to discover the cells and molecular pathways that govern the MR1 alarm system, which may lead to new treatments against common diseases in our community.
Ovarian cancer is difficult to diagnose, patients present at a late stage of disease and it responds poorly to therapy. To improve treatment, it is crucial to gain new insights into ovarian cancer biology. We discovered a new protein, interferon epsilon, which is produced naturally by cells lining the female reproductive tract where it protects against infections and may even prevent development of cancers. We plan to characterise the action of IFNe on HGSOC and how best to use it for therapy.
Developing New Immunotherapeutics Through Studying Immune Effectors In Situ
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,369,054.00
Summary
The immune system deploys pore forming proteins to clear viral and bacterial infections and to eliminate cancerous cells. The unwanted activities of these molecules, however, results in chronic disease and in transplant rejection. We aim to understand how pore forming immune weapons interact with our own cells, with the goal of using this information to develop new approaches to treat immune driven disease and to improve the success of transplantation therapy.
Therapeutic Targeting Of Interleukin-22 For Severe Paediatric Urinary Tract Infection And Associated Renal Complications
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$997,139.00
Summary
Urinary tract infections are among the most common bacterial infections and are associated with the development of chronic kidney disease. The bacteria that cause these infections are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotic therapy. Therefore, new strategies that target the immune system rather than the bacteria are urgently needed. This study will provide evidence for re-purposing novel immunotherapies targeting the protein interleukin-22 that are being developed for other diseases.
Improving Clinical Outcomes Of Antimicrobial Resistant Infections With A Drug-free Intervention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$999,581.00
Summary
Superbugs, or antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, cause recurring infections and non-healing wounds after surgery as existing therapies fail to effectively kill them. We will develop a medical device to fight superbugs with UV light that is effective against bacteria and fungi without causing harm to human cells. This could eradicate superbugs at infection sites, aid wound healing and actively improve health outcomes after surgery.
Immuno-metabolic Interactions Of The Fungal Superbug Candida Auris
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$674,105.00
Summary
Infections threaten hospital patients and undermine our ability to use advanced medical treatments for conditions such as cancer. Candida auris is an emerging superbug causing infections in hospitals and nursing homes that are commonly resistant to front-line antifungal therapy. To build the knowledge foundation for improved treatments, this proposal aims to define how C. auris escapes immune defences and understand the metabolic mechanisms that shape immune responses and infection outcomes.
Understanding The Innate Immune Response To Viral Infection Of The Female Reproductive Tract And Placenta
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$784,273.00
Summary
Viral infection of the female reproductive tract (FRT) can have a significant impact on FRT health and may cause significant birth defects if the virus infects the placenta and developing fetus. In this application we will investigate the role of a novel molecule termed interferon epsilon and how it impacts viral infection of the FRT, the fetus and how the placenta responds to viral infection. This work will develop innovative antiviral strategies to combat viral infections of the FRT.
THE IMMUNOLOGICAL LEGACY OF OBESITY ON VIRAL PATHOGENESIS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$652,275.00
Summary
Obesity is a key risk factor for severe viral infections. Our preliminary data suggest that in mice this susceptibility is not reduced by weight loss. In this grant we will investigate a) the mechanisms driving the legacy effect of obesity on antiviral immunity b) whether or not we can reverse this legacy effect by treatment with the drug MCC950 and c) the antiviral response of overweight children and adults who have and haven't recently lost weight.