Complement evasion strategies of malaria parasites. Pathogens have evolved to protect themselves from deleterious effects of host immune attack. Malaria is one of the most widespread parasitic diseases, yet evasion strategies employed by these parasites are unknown. This project will aim to understand how malaria parasites exploit the innate immune system for successful human infection.
Structural and functional characterisation of compounds that inhibit the malarial aminopeptidases. Malaria is the world's most prevalent parasitic disease. Due to the rapid spread of drug resistant parasites there is a need to develop new antimalarial drugs. In this proposal we will characterise new targets and novel methods of inhibition that will form the basis of a new mechanism for antimalarial drugs.
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.
How auto-transporter proteins mediate bacterial interactions. This project aims to investigate the structure-function relationships that underpin key auto-transporter roles in bacterial cell adhesion, aggregation and biofilm formation. Auto-transporter proteins are extremely common in bacteria where they play a central role in controlling bacterial interactions with other bacteria, with human cells, and with surfaces. This project will define the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes. ....How auto-transporter proteins mediate bacterial interactions. This project aims to investigate the structure-function relationships that underpin key auto-transporter roles in bacterial cell adhesion, aggregation and biofilm formation. Auto-transporter proteins are extremely common in bacteria where they play a central role in controlling bacterial interactions with other bacteria, with human cells, and with surfaces. This project will define the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes. This will have significant benefits, such as providing the basis for the development of approaches to block auto-transporter functions that contribute to the establishment of persistent and difficult to treat bacterial infections.Read moreRead less
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.
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
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE160100193
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$590,000.00
Summary
Next Generation Mass Spectrometry for Analysis of Biomolecules. Next-generation mass spectrometry for analysis of biomolecules:
This project seeks to establish a next-generation mass spectrometer that represents the most sensitive, accurate and rapid mass spectrometer allowing the simultaneous quantitation of several hundred to several thousand proteins in a single experiment. This is designed to particularly support infection and immunity research. Novel fragmentation capabilities and enhanced ....Next Generation Mass Spectrometry for Analysis of Biomolecules. Next-generation mass spectrometry for analysis of biomolecules:
This project seeks to establish a next-generation mass spectrometer that represents the most sensitive, accurate and rapid mass spectrometer allowing the simultaneous quantitation of several hundred to several thousand proteins in a single experiment. This is designed to particularly support infection and immunity research. Novel fragmentation capabilities and enhanced workflows on this instrument may allow new types of experiments to be conducted providing significant improvements in coverage and depth of analysis.Read moreRead less
Probing sexual transformation of the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, using novel imaging modalities. Malaria parasites adopt a characteristic banana shape prior to sexual recombination; without this shape change disease transmission via mosquitoes cannot occur. This project will use advanced imaging technologies to study sexual recombination of malaria with a view to preventing the millions of deaths due to malaria each year.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120101340
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Subversion of innate immune responses by pathogenic Escherichia coli. This project will determine how bacteria that cause diarrhoeal diseases prevent the immune system from signalling efficiently. It will provide important information not only about how the bacteria establish disease, but also provide insight into the host response in the early stages of infection.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120101730
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Targeting cell death pathways in parasites. Schistosomiasis is a disease caused by parasitic worms. Due to the potential for drug resistance, new drugs are needed. This project aims to identify the components needed for parasite survival based on a cell death pathway in schistosomes. Neutralising the activities of these proteins should cause parasite death, providing a new treatment strategy.