Microbial Evasion Of A Novel Inflammasome By Salmonella
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$486,174.00
Summary
Microbes quickly evolve to evade detection by the innate immune system, the body’s first line of defence against infection. This project investigates the mechanisms by which the immune system recognises bacterial infection, and pathways used by bacteria to avoid these defences. This research will lead to a better understanding of mechanisms underlying resistance and susceptibility to bacterial infection.
Defining The Role Of Zinc In Human Macrophage Responses To Salmonella
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$592,049.00
Summary
It is estimated that one third of the worlds population is affected by mild to moderate zinc deficiency, and that this predisposes to a range of infectious diseases. The immunomodulatory effects of zinc have been appreciated for many years, and indeed zinc supplementation is used to treat severe diarrhoeal diseases. This project aims to understand the anti-infective mechanisms of zinc by focusing on macrophages, a key cell type involved in killing invading microorganisms.