Glutathione Transferase Zeta: A Novel Regulator Of Glucose And Lipid Metabolism
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$604,143.00
Summary
Obesity is a problem of global significance as a cause of preventable illness and death. The many consequences of obesity including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer and osteoarthritis are an increasing burden on affected subjects and on the health care system. Our recent studies have revealed a novel pathway for the regulation of obesity. This discovery has provided a new target for the development of drugs for obesity and related disorders.
The Physiological Role Of Glutathione-S-Transferase In The Intracellular Storage And Transport Of Nitric Oxide And Its Biomedical Effects
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$544,839.00
Summary
The aim of this project is to elucidate the mechanisms behind the intracellular regulation of nitrogen monoxide (NO) levels, which has broad implications for understanding NO activity in many processes which have major vital health implications, including the cytotoxic of macrophages and the control of blood pressure.
Glutathione Transferase Omega 1 As A Novel Target For Sepsis And Other Inflammatory Disorders.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$694,471.00
Summary
Sepsis is a major clinical problem that causes more deaths in Australia than breast, prostate or colon cancer. The deaths result from an overwhelming systemic inflammatory response to infection. We have discovered that this response is dependent on an enzyme called GSTO1-1 and that inhibitors can block the inflammatory response . In this study we will identify new drug like compounds that can inhibit GSTO1-1 and prevent death from sepsis.
Understanding Virulence Of Invasive Staphylococcus Aureus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$772,711.00
Summary
Staph aureus (Golden staph) is a major cause of disease in humans. In this project we will use state-of-the-art molecular biology and genomics to fully understand the mechanisms of virulence in this pathogen. This information will inform future approaches to development of therapeutics, as well as the use of genomics in clinical microbiology and disease management.
CAMERA: Combination Antibiotic Treatment For Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Bacteraemia - A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,162,248.00
Summary
MRSA (golden staph) is resistant to the most useful class of antibiotics: beta-lactams. It is more difficult to treat than antibiotic-sensitive strains. Standard treatment for MRSA is vancomycin but it has high failure rates. Although MRSA is resistant to beta-lactams, lab studies show that they enhance vancomycin’s bacterial killing when used together. CAMERA2 is an RCT comparing vancomycin alone to combination therapy (vancomycin plus flucloxacillin) for adults with MRSA blood stream infection
Genomics Dissection And Prevention Of Bacterial Transmission Events
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$891,290.00
Summary
This project aims at improving public health capacity to limit the spread of infectious diseases in hospital and community settings. The multi-disciplinary team of investigators will link epidemiological data with the finest resolution data from bacterial genomes in order to pinpoint events of infection transmission between individuals. Two high-burden pathogens (golden staph and food-borne Salmonella) will be used as exemplars of infectious diseases with different biology and modes of spread.
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.
The Inhibition Of Biotin Protein Ligase As A New Source Of Antibiotics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$750,167.00
Summary
We have become so accustomed to treating bacterial infections with antibiotics that it is hard to imagine life without them. However, the emergence of drug-resistance is creating a global health care crisis. Recently, there has not been enough attention paid to replacing old antibiotics with new products to combat drug resistance. Our team is addressing this challenge. We have discovered a new class of antibiotic that is unlike any other drug in clinical use.
Mechanisms Of Alpha-hemolysin Induced Immunoevasion By Staphylococcus Aureus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$465,475.00
Summary
S. aureus infections represent a serious global health problem. Currently, no vaccination is available demanding a better understanding of the immune response against this bacterium. We will test the hypothesis that S. aureus alpha-hemolysin represses the migration of innate immune cells to sites of cutaneous infection resulting in diminished immunity. Unraveling the mechanism behind this phenomenon will pave the way to better prophylactic and therapeutic measures against S. aureus infections.
Pathogenic Consequences And Mechanistic Insights Of Daptomycin Resistance In Staphylococcus Aureus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$540,633.00
Summary
Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most common human bacterial pathogens. This project aims to characterise the mechanisms that Staph uses to develop resistance to one of our last-line antibiotics, and will determine the effects of this resistance on the ability of the bacteria to cause human disease.