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.
Molecular Epidemiology And High Resolution Surveillance Of Salmonella Enterica Serovar Typhimurium In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$583,180.00
Summary
Salmonella typhimurium is a leading cause of the food-borne disease – salmonellosis. It is responsible for considerable morbidity and has an enormous economic cost. Molecular typing is the key to rapidly identify and control outbreaks. This project will employ next generation sequencing technology to develop a new molecular typing scheme. A surveillance system that integrates molecular typing data and epidemiological data will be developed for outbreak investigation and disease prevention.
Dissecting Immune Responses To Salmonella Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,797.00
Summary
Successful treatment of Salmonella infections requires a detailed understanding how Salmonella growth is controlled. This project will examine the role of white blood cells, will reveal how they contribute to the control of Salmonella infections and will test novel treatment options. The outcome of this project will significantly advance our understanding of immune responses against Salmonella.
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.
Copper And Its Antibacterial Action: An Emerging Aspect Of Host Defence Against Bacterial Pathogens
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$454,858.00
Summary
This project will determine the way in which copper is used as an antimicrobial agent to kill Salmonella that reside inside the macrophage (white blood cell) of the host and also determine how Salmonella defends against copper-dependent killing. It will also determine the role of copper in the killing of extra-intestinal pathogens during sepsis. These results will provide information that can be used to manage and control infections intracellular and extracellular bacterial pathogens.
Characterization Of Human-specific Anti-microbial Pathways
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$586,428.00
Summary
The immune system protects us against infectious disease by killing invading microbes or pathogens. Macrophages are white blood cells that are important for the recognition and destruction of pathogens. This project aims to investigate the role of certain genes, which are turned on in macrophages when they sense invading pathogens, in protecting us against infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and gastroenteritis.
Toll-like Receptors And Innate Immunity: Genes And Pathways Regulating Infectious And Inflammatory Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$138,367.00
Summary
The innate immune system is the first line of defence against infectious diseases, but also contributes to the pathology of inflammatory diseases (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis). I study specific genes and pathways used by the innate immune system to (1) understand how the innate immune system prevents infections and how microorganisms overcome these defences, and (2) develop approaches to block inflammation. Outcomes may include new therapies for inflammatory and infectious diseases.
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.
Using Applied Epidemiology To Respond To Foodborne Diseases And Contaminated Environments
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$476,728.00
Summary
During this Fellowship I will examine how to prevent foodborne diseases and how public health agencies respond to contaminated environments. To do this, I will harness the revolution in public health from genetic analysis of pathogens and the use of linked datasets to examine environmental health concerns.
Optimising Temporal Genomic Surveillance Of Salmonella Infections In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$763,447.00
Summary
Salmonella is a leading cause of the food-borne disease – salmonellosis. It is responsible for considerable morbidity and has an enormous economic cost. Molecular typing is the key to rapidly identify and control outbreaks. This project will optimise the use of whole genome sequencing for outbreak investigation and long term epidemiology. A surveillance system that integrates genome sequence and epidemiological data will be highly significant for outbreak investigation and disease prevention.