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.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100106
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$350,000.00
Summary
An advanced flow cytometry facility for the Peter Doherty Institute. The establishment of a flow cytometry facility in the new Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity will enhance capacity to investigate immunity to a broad range of very serious diseases. This project will support researchers studying viral and bacterial infection as well as cancer and autoimmunity.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120100691
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Argonaute proteins and the mammalian antiviral response. Awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 2006, RNA interference (RNAi) is a natural process that plants use to attack viruses. Humans possess all of the tools for RNAi, but whether it is used for antiviral defense is unknown. This project aims to uncover this immune process which will open new avenues to treat virus infections, from influenza to HIV.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100525
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,000.00
Summary
Mucus control: Applying concepts from bacteriophage-mucus interactions. This project aims to examine how mucus-adherent bacteriophage interact with bacteria in mucus as a mechanism to manipulate microbiomes. Bacterial infections at mucosal surfaces in animals are a serious global health threat. Traditionally antibiotics have been used to curb mucosal infections, but antibiotic resistance means new therapies are urgently needed. Bacteriophage – viruses that infect bacteria – can kill bacteria and ....Mucus control: Applying concepts from bacteriophage-mucus interactions. This project aims to examine how mucus-adherent bacteriophage interact with bacteria in mucus as a mechanism to manipulate microbiomes. Bacterial infections at mucosal surfaces in animals are a serious global health threat. Traditionally antibiotics have been used to curb mucosal infections, but antibiotic resistance means new therapies are urgently needed. Bacteriophage – viruses that infect bacteria – can kill bacteria and might provide a layer of antimicrobial immunity in animal mucus. The anticipated outcomes are resolving how bacteriophage control bacteria within mucus, and applying concepts to bioengineer mucosal microbiomes.Read moreRead less
Bio-engineering Insect-Specific Flaviviruses for control of arboviruses. This project aims to study a family of commensal viruses of mosquitoes called insect-specific flaviviruses that are naturally found in mosquitoes and do not infect or cause disease in vertebrate hosts. Using an innovative approach, this project employs cutting-edge molecular virology approaches to modify these insect-specific flaviviruses to enhance their ability to block the replication of other pathogenic viruses in the m ....Bio-engineering Insect-Specific Flaviviruses for control of arboviruses. This project aims to study a family of commensal viruses of mosquitoes called insect-specific flaviviruses that are naturally found in mosquitoes and do not infect or cause disease in vertebrate hosts. Using an innovative approach, this project employs cutting-edge molecular virology approaches to modify these insect-specific flaviviruses to enhance their ability to block the replication of other pathogenic viruses in the mosquito vector. Expected outcome of this project is a bio-control strategy that is complementary to the Wolbachia approach. The anticipated benefits include the advancement of knowledge of insect-specific flaviviruses, and promotion of interdisciplinary research across the fields of Entomology and Virology.Read moreRead less
The ins and outs of HIV biology. This project aims to delineate the fundamental mechanisms that regulate the production of HIV and the ability of HIV to cause AIDS in infected patients. It will utilise state-of-the-art technologies to unearth new clues that govern the biology of HIV, with the ultimate goal to develop novel vaccine and treatment strategies against HIV.
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.
Linking immunomodulation and latency in alphaherpesvirus infection. Herpesviruses cause major diseases in humans and all domestic animal species. Latency forms a significant part of the evolutionary success of herpesviruses, by enabling transmission of the virus throughout the lifetime of the host. Our work has shown that an alphaherpesvirus protein can divert the host’s immune response to become more antibody-mediated and less T cell-mediated. This study explores the consequences of this immune ....Linking immunomodulation and latency in alphaherpesvirus infection. Herpesviruses cause major diseases in humans and all domestic animal species. Latency forms a significant part of the evolutionary success of herpesviruses, by enabling transmission of the virus throughout the lifetime of the host. Our work has shown that an alphaherpesvirus protein can divert the host’s immune response to become more antibody-mediated and less T cell-mediated. This study explores the consequences of this immune diversion, and examines whether this reduced T cell response enables the development of latent infections. Disrupting the virus-host balance by alterations to this conserved viral protein will enable novel approaches to controlling these economically significant viruses.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
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210101145
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$414,662.00
Summary
Investigating novel neurobiological mechanisms in rabies infection. This project aims to better understand the biology and functioning of the nervous system using an innovative multi-disciplinary approach informed by the rabies virus. The study intends to identify the molecular mechanism responsible for self-destruction in neurons. The project aims to gain this new knowledge by investigating the novel natural ability of rabies virus to subdue self-destruction mechanism in neurons. The principal ....Investigating novel neurobiological mechanisms in rabies infection. This project aims to better understand the biology and functioning of the nervous system using an innovative multi-disciplinary approach informed by the rabies virus. The study intends to identify the molecular mechanism responsible for self-destruction in neurons. The project aims to gain this new knowledge by investigating the novel natural ability of rabies virus to subdue self-destruction mechanism in neurons. The principal benefit is the gain of detailed knowledge about a fundamental biological mechanism at the intersection of neurobiology and virology. This has the potential to inform future research in areas such as the maintenance of neuronal health in ageing and better control of rabies infections. Read moreRead less