Systems-level Characterisation And Therapeutic Targeting Of Small RNAs In Acinetobacter Baumannii Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$581,990.00
Summary
This proposal aims to understand how a superbug that causes severe infections in hospitalised patients worldwide and is known to be resistant to almost all available antibiotics, causes disease. We then plan on using this information to guide the development of a new type of therapy to treat this severe infection.
Understanding The Contribution Of SRNAs To Antibiotic Resistance In Staphylococcus Aureus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$587,424.00
Summary
Golden Staph is a major problem in Australian hospitals. This project will use cutting edge technology to investigate how Golden Staph responds to and resists antibiotics used to treat human infections, leading to new strategies for the prevention and treatment of antibiotic resistant bacteria.
Non-coding RNA Regulation Of Virulence In Enterohaemorrhagic E. Coli
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$389,313.00
Summary
Shiga toxins cause potentially fatal haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and are transferred between bacterial pathogens by bacteriophage (bacterial viruses). We have recently found that the Shiga toxin encoding bacteriophage encodes an unusually large number of non-coding RNAs (RNA regulators of gene expression). This Project aims to understand how these RNA regulators benefit the Shiga toxin bacteriophage and use this knowledge to develop interventions that will prevent expression of the toxin.
Antibiotic Tolerance And Small RNA Networks In Staphylococcus Aureus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$521,559.00
Summary
Treatment of MRSA is restricted to last line antibiotics and treatment failure is associated with an intermediate tolerance to vancomycin. Regulatory molecules termed small RNA mediate responses to antibiotic challenge but their functions are poorly understood. This proposal will profile sRNA function to understand how they adapt S. aureus to antibiotic challenge. A molecular understanding of vancomycin-tolerance will inform development of diagnostics and treatment strategies.
Combating The Reemergence Of Tuberculosis With New Vaccine Strategies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$431,000.00
Summary
Tuberculosis is a major global public health problem with significant morbidity and mortality. This project aims to generate new, highly efficacious vaccination regimens against tuberculosis, especially pulmonary tuberculosis, which is the most difficult manifestation of the disease to control. The outcomes of this project have the potential to save millions of lives worldwide and to decrease socioeconomic burden of tuberculosis, particularly in the context of HIV co-infection.
Clinical And Genomic Aspects Of Staphylococcus Aureus And Other Infectious Diseases In Northern Australia.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$421,747.00
Summary
The burden of infectious disease is high in Indigenous populations in northern Australia and patterns of disease differ. My research proposes to deepen our understanding of infectious diseases such as that due to Staphylococcus aureus (golden staph), hepatitis B and influenza by applying cutting-edge technologies (e.g., bacterial genomics) to answer clinically relevant questions. Ultimately I hope to prevent transmission of infections, improve vaccine strategies and find better targets for treat ....The burden of infectious disease is high in Indigenous populations in northern Australia and patterns of disease differ. My research proposes to deepen our understanding of infectious diseases such as that due to Staphylococcus aureus (golden staph), hepatitis B and influenza by applying cutting-edge technologies (e.g., bacterial genomics) to answer clinically relevant questions. Ultimately I hope to prevent transmission of infections, improve vaccine strategies and find better targets for treatment.Read moreRead less
Impact Of Influenza A Infection On T Cell-mediated Immunity To Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$488,058.00
Summary
Tuberculosis is a leading cause of death worldwide and there is an urgent need to develop better anti-TB vaccines. Infection with respiratory viruses may reduce memory T cell responses to M. tuberculosis (Mtb). This project will investigate if Influenza A infection reduces memory anti-tuberculosis T cell responses in mice previously exposed to Mtb or BCG. We will then use influenza viruses engineered to carry parts of Mtb proteins to boost anti-Mtb T cell responses and the protective effect of B ....Tuberculosis is a leading cause of death worldwide and there is an urgent need to develop better anti-TB vaccines. Infection with respiratory viruses may reduce memory T cell responses to M. tuberculosis (Mtb). This project will investigate if Influenza A infection reduces memory anti-tuberculosis T cell responses in mice previously exposed to Mtb or BCG. We will then use influenza viruses engineered to carry parts of Mtb proteins to boost anti-Mtb T cell responses and the protective effect of BCG.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.