Role Of Streptococcus Agalactiae Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate Dehydrogenase (GAPDH) In Infection And Potential As A Target To Control Colonization In The Female Genital Tract
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$677,177.00
Summary
Extracellular proteins produced by pathogenic bacteria can facilitate microbial colonization of the host by mediating binding to host cells and by modulating the immune system. These proteins exert their effects by subverting specific elements of the immune system and this can allow infection to worsen. This project will increase our understanding of how this bacterium chronically colonizes humans and will identify the potential of a bacterial protein, termed GAPDH, as a target for control.
Integrated Bacterial Genomics And Virulence Analysis Of Uropathogenic Streptococcus Agalactiae
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$747,457.00
Summary
Urinary tract infections (UTI), which start as a bladder infection and often evolve to encompass the kidneys, are among the most common infectious diseases in humans. Streptococcus agalactiae is an important cause of gram-positive bacterial UTI. We will study the genomes and functions of specific genes in reference strains of this bacterium isolated from patients with different forms of infection to elucidate how bacterial genes and virulence factors contribute to these types of infections.
The Role Of The Chemosensory Receptors Of The Enteric Pathogen C. Jejuni In Virulence And Host - Bacterial Interactions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$517,897.00
Summary
Campylobacter jejuni is the greatest cause of bacterial gastroenteritis in the world. Consumption of contaminated meat or untreated water leads to disease often requiring hospitalisation. Campylobacter infection is also linked to the development of neoroparalytic disorders and reactive arthritis. This project aims to determine how this pathogen utilises surface molecules to sense its environment and cause disease. This information may be exploited to develop new treatments for mucosal infections ....Campylobacter jejuni is the greatest cause of bacterial gastroenteritis in the world. Consumption of contaminated meat or untreated water leads to disease often requiring hospitalisation. Campylobacter infection is also linked to the development of neoroparalytic disorders and reactive arthritis. This project aims to determine how this pathogen utilises surface molecules to sense its environment and cause disease. This information may be exploited to develop new treatments for mucosal infections.Read moreRead less
Uncovering Novel Roles Of Escherichia Coli Flagella And LPS In Uropathogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$404,677.00
Summary
Urinary tract infections (UTI) are common infectious diseases in humans. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) cause most UTI. UPEC produce factors that promote their survival and influence disease such as flagella. We have identified anti-inflammatory responses as a key element of UTI and have shown that these responses contribute to control of UTI. In this project, we will investigate how the UPEC flagella component, FliC, contributes to anti-inflammatory responses and what this means for UTI.
Targeting Toxoplasma Gondii Latent Stages Responsible For Chronic Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$697,107.00
Summary
Many microbial pathogens become resistant to host immune response and drugs by entering a slow-growing, dormant state. These stages are commonly responsible for long term, chronic infections. We will investigate the molecular basis of dormancy in Toxoplasma gondii, which infects one in three people. These studies will identify metabolic pathways that are essential for dormancy with the view of developing new therapies for treating long term, recurrent infections.
Metabolomic Analysis Of Plasmodum Falciparum And Mode Of Action Of Antimalarial Compounds
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$917,196.00
Summary
There is an urgent need to develop new drugs to treat malaria, one of the most important diseases to afflict humanity. We have developed new analytical approaches for measuring parasite metabolism while they live inside host cells. These approaches will be used to identify metabolic pathways that are essential for parasite infectivity and to understand the mode of action of new classes of antimalarial compounds
One third of the world's population is infected with the protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, which can cause life-threatening infections. This proposal will utilize new analytical technologies to understand how these parasites are able to survive in a wide variety of different host cells, how they manage to persist within brain and muscle tissue for the life of the patient and how infection may be linked to mental health disorders, such as schizopohrenia.
A Targeted Molecular Approach To Treating Scabies And Associated Bacterial Infections.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$518,334.00
Summary
Chronic infestation of human skin with parasitic scabies mites is a severe health burden in Australian Indigenous communities and other disadvantaged communities around the world. Secondary infections with bacteria exacerbate this skin problem, with long-term, systemic and often fatal consequences including rheumatic heart disease. Analyses of the scabies mite genome and associated bacteria will accelerate biomedical research toward improved treatment and control of this neglected disease.
A Mechanism For Regulation Of Oral And Gut Microflora By Interaction Of Salivary Metabolites With Breast Milk
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$616,687.00
Summary
Saliva "lacks the drama of blood, the sincerity of sweat & the emotional appeal of tears". But spit has important roles for the mouth & digestion. Now researchers in Brisbane have found baby dribble has natural chemicals that form ‘nucleotides’ in cells. They are testing the theory that the nucleotides encourage friendly bacteria in the mouth & gut. When baby saliva mixes with breast milk it also makes natural antibiotics called 'oxidative radicals' that stop bad bacteria. This may be part of th ....Saliva "lacks the drama of blood, the sincerity of sweat & the emotional appeal of tears". But spit has important roles for the mouth & digestion. Now researchers in Brisbane have found baby dribble has natural chemicals that form ‘nucleotides’ in cells. They are testing the theory that the nucleotides encourage friendly bacteria in the mouth & gut. When baby saliva mixes with breast milk it also makes natural antibiotics called 'oxidative radicals' that stop bad bacteria. This may be part of the mechanism ensuring "Breast is best" for babies.Read moreRead less
Identification Of Novel Gonococcal Virulence Factors And Vaccine Antigens Based On Their Expression During Host Cell Contact And Their Role In Association, Invasion And Survival In Cervical Epithelia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$371,922.00
Summary
The sexually transmitted infection gonorrhoea is a significant health problem worldwide. Control of gonorrhoea depends on the development of a vaccine due to the continuing increase of antibiotic resistance and the staggering outcomes of infection, including infertility and increased transmission of HIV. My research aims to discover new vaccine targets by identifying gonococcal proteins that are required for interaction with human cervical cells.