Defining Key Mechanisms That Underpin Neuropathogenesis Of Varicella Zoster Virus During Herpes Zoster
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$616,518.00
Summary
Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a herpesvirus which causes chicken pox and shingles. Shingles affects many elderly people and a major complication is prolonged severe neuropathic pain, often needing follow-up medical care for months to years. Despite its impact on the community, little is known about how this virus functions and causes disease. We aim to improve our understanding of how VZV interacts with nerve cells to provide essential new information for the development of effective treatment ....Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a herpesvirus which causes chicken pox and shingles. Shingles affects many elderly people and a major complication is prolonged severe neuropathic pain, often needing follow-up medical care for months to years. Despite its impact on the community, little is known about how this virus functions and causes disease. We aim to improve our understanding of how VZV interacts with nerve cells to provide essential new information for the development of effective treatments for shingles and associated neuropathic pain.Read moreRead less
Viral infections that mothers catch during pregnancy still cause much illness in babies either in the womb, or after birth. One of these infections called CMV causes more babies to be born with malformation in Australia than any other infection, and is second only to cerebral palsy as a cause of serious problems in babies. Our studies are examining CMV in mothers and babies, leading to better diagnostic tests, researching use of existing and new antiviral drugs to reduce infection in these mothe ....Viral infections that mothers catch during pregnancy still cause much illness in babies either in the womb, or after birth. One of these infections called CMV causes more babies to be born with malformation in Australia than any other infection, and is second only to cerebral palsy as a cause of serious problems in babies. Our studies are examining CMV in mothers and babies, leading to better diagnostic tests, researching use of existing and new antiviral drugs to reduce infection in these mothers and babies.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms By Which Varicella Zoster Virus And Herpes Simplex Virus Control Host Functions To Enhance Pathogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,999.00
Summary
Varicella Zoster Virus and Herpes Simplex Virus are alpha-herpesviruses that cause diseases in a majority of the human population. This proposal will explore issues fundamental to disease and pathogenesis of these two closely related herpesviruses, focusing on how these viruses can control host function. In particular, we will define the interactions between these viruses and the natural killer (NK) cell response.
Defining A Novel Mechanism Of Control Of Host Functions By Human Cytomegalovirus That Enhances Viral Pathogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$616,518.00
Summary
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) remains a significant human pathogen which causes serious and often life-threatening disease in immunosuppressed people such as bone marrow and solid organ transplant patients and in unborn babies infected during pregnancy. This project will define how HCMV controls host defences by actively modifying the cells it infects to create an environment favourable to continued viral infection and disease.
Pathogenic Flaviviruses: Molecular Mechanisms Of Disease, Host Response And Vaccines
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$697,209.00
Summary
The application is aimed at advancing our understanding of the viral and host processes determining outcome of infection with pathogenic flaviviruses (i.e. West Nile virus) to the level allowing most comprehensive design of effective vaccines and anti-viral drugs. One of the aims is also to develop novel viral delivery vectors for cancer therapy based on self-replicating RNA of an attenuated Australian strain of West Nile virus, Kunjin.
Characterising Latent HIV Reservoirs: Examining The Effects Of Treatment Initiation, Cellular Type And Patient Genetics.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$909,403.00
Summary
Conducted by a globally-renown team of HIV scientists and physicians, this clinically-relevant study makes a significant contribution to the emerging field of HIV eradication and cure. Accessing diverse and unique sample sets from HIV patients and applying innovative, ultra-sensitive genetic measurement techniques, the study definitively identifies the bodily reservoirs harbouring persistent HIV so they can be targeted by new therapies, a crucial step for efforts aimed at HIV eradication.
An RNA Element Negatively Regulates Initation HIV-1 Reverse Transcription And Inhibits Proviral Integration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$581,524.00
Summary
We recently made the discovery that the virus that causes AIDS can be potently inhibited by stimulating a specific step in the virus life cycle. Our evidence suggests this stimulation is controlled by a host factor which will be identified in this study. Its discovery would be an important step towards a new means to fight HIV infection.
Investigating The Host Determinants Of Viral Clearance Versus Collateral Pathology In Chronic Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,250,756.00
Summary
Hepatitis B virus has infected over 2 billion people. Some people control the virus but it remains incurable and there is a lifelong risk of liver cancer. Understanding how host cells interact with the virus, the mechanisms the cells use in an attempt to eliminate the virus and the mechanisms the virus uses to sabotage these responses, will provide insights that could lead to therapies. Potential therapies could be applicable to other infections like HIV-1 and tuberculosis.
The Role Of Varicella Zoster Virus In Modulating Cutaneous Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$555,892.00
Summary
Varicella zoster virus (VZV) causes two skin diseases: chickenpox and shingles. VZV can causes significant morbidity in children and adults and life-threatening disease in immunocompromised people. This project aims to improve our understanding of how VZV affects the function of specialised skin cells to provide information for the development of a better vaccine to lessen the impact of VZV disease on the community.
Understanding And Modulating Hyperinflammation Caused By Influenza Viruses
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,048.00
Summary
In humans, highly pathogenic influenza A virus (IAV) infections can be fatal, as the disease is untreatable with available vaccine or anti-viral drugs. My fellowship aims to advance our knowledge of the mechanisms by which the immune system induces and regulates inflammation during IAV infection, which can be both helpful and detrimental in fighting the infection. This is critical for identifying and developing new therapies for severe IAV infections in the future.