Rapid Pathogen Detection using Super-Sensitive Multiplexing Nanophotonic Probes. Responding to an urgent need to advance rapid molecular diagnostics, this project aims to explore new photonics and biochemistry approaches to DNA recognition. It is anchored on proprietary light-emitting nanodots which have single-molecule sensitivity in conjunction with tunable optical identities. The project aims to develop a multiplexing reagent library of DNA probes to sense trace DNA molecules and to recognise ....Rapid Pathogen Detection using Super-Sensitive Multiplexing Nanophotonic Probes. Responding to an urgent need to advance rapid molecular diagnostics, this project aims to explore new photonics and biochemistry approaches to DNA recognition. It is anchored on proprietary light-emitting nanodots which have single-molecule sensitivity in conjunction with tunable optical identities. The project aims to develop a multiplexing reagent library of DNA probes to sense trace DNA molecules and to recognise multiple pathogens in a single assay. This innovation aims to create a hybrid-Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technology platform for current industry-standard pathogen detection tests. The outcomes of the project aim to enable DNA based pathogen diagnostics within 90 minutes, four times faster than the current tests.Read moreRead less
A single vaccine for influenza and pneumonia. Influenza and bacterial pneumonia collaborate to kill millions of people each year. This project aims to develop a single vaccine that will provide long-lasting protection against both influenza and pneumonia.
Functional characterisation of poly-histidine triad proteins. This project aims to understand the role and function of a novel family of surface proteins produced by Streptococci. These so-called polyhistidine triad proteins are known to contribute to capacity to cause disease in animals and humans, but we need to know how they work, as they may be excellent targets for novel drugs or vaccines.
Novel perspectives on the function of AB5 toxin B subunits in pathogenic bacterial. AB5 toxins are produced by bacteria that cause important diseases in humans and livestock. This project tests the hypothesis that the components of the toxins responsible for binding to host cells and tissues also directly contribute to cellular damage, thereby providing a better understanding of how AB5 toxin-producing bacteria cause disease.
How bacteria cause disease in the urinary tract. This project will investigate the virulence properties of uropathogenic Escherichia coli, the major causative agent of urinary tract infections (UTI) in humans. The results will help to understand how these bacterial pathogens cause disease and will impact strategies aimed at the prevention and treatment of chronic and recurrent UTI.
Activation of invasion in Toxoplasma. Host cell invasion is critical for the establishment and maintenance of infection by the single-celled parasite Toxoplasma gondii, the causative agent of Toxoplasmosis. This project will use the latest molecular techniques to understand how invasion is activated and will define a new set of drug targets to treat Toxoplasmosis and related diseases.
New models as tools for defining mechanisms of microbe survival in the urogenital tract. Bacteria that infect the human urogenital tract can cause serious disease and these infections represent a large cost to the health-care system world-wide. This study will focus on how bacteria survive in the human urogenital tract and this will impact on strategies aimed at preventing and treating these infections.
Mechanisms of human immunodeficiency virus entry into cells. This project will develop an understanding of how human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) evolves in people to become better able to infect, and hence destroy, cells of the immune system. It is expected that new knowledge into how HIV alters the way it interacts with these cells will reveal insights for the design of vaccines, drugs and new diagnostic tests.
New drugs against parasitic nematodes of livestock animals. New drugs against parasitic nematodes of livestock animals. This project aims to develop an innovative technology platform to deliver novel anti-infectives as biotechnological outcomes, using postgenomics, computing and chemistry. Advanced molecular, computer and chemistry technologies provide unprecedented opportunities to design radically new interventions against socioeconomically important infectious diseases affecting billions of a ....New drugs against parasitic nematodes of livestock animals. New drugs against parasitic nematodes of livestock animals. This project aims to develop an innovative technology platform to deliver novel anti-infectives as biotechnological outcomes, using postgenomics, computing and chemistry. Advanced molecular, computer and chemistry technologies provide unprecedented opportunities to design radically new interventions against socioeconomically important infectious diseases affecting billions of animals worldwide. Anticipated outcomes are the design of radically new chemotherapies to control parasitic diseases, the translation of fundamental research into biotechnological outcomes, international visibility of Australian science, and a solid skills- and knowledge-base in veterinary drug development.Read moreRead less
Immuno-epidemiological insights into the development of immunity to malaria and drug resistance. This project aims to better understand the maintenance and acquisition of immunity to malaria in high risk groups. It will also attempt to elucidate how immunity can interfere with the therapeutic efficacy of antimalarials, especially in the assessment of emerging drug resistance. The over-riding hypothesis is that differences in malaria transmission will lead to differential acquisition of immunity ....Immuno-epidemiological insights into the development of immunity to malaria and drug resistance. This project aims to better understand the maintenance and acquisition of immunity to malaria in high risk groups. It will also attempt to elucidate how immunity can interfere with the therapeutic efficacy of antimalarials, especially in the assessment of emerging drug resistance. The over-riding hypothesis is that differences in malaria transmission will lead to differential acquisition of immunity and efficacy of malaria interventions within and between populations. Understanding immunity to malaria is pivotal to develop new interventions, to understand the effectiveness of current malaria treatment and control programs to reduce the global burden of malarial disease.Read moreRead less