A Study Of Artemisinin Combination Therapy Given At Delivery To Prevent Postpartum Malaria And To Young Infants To Treat Uncomplicated Malaria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$788,850.00
Summary
The proposed studies will investigate the preventive value of a course of combination antimalarial treatment at delivery in pregnant women in malarial areas. The transfer of this treatment into breast milk and to the suckling infant will be investigated since this may protect the infant against malaria but also cause drug-related side-effects. These data will be used, with a study of combination treatment in infants with malaria, to optimise dose regimens in this vulnerable group.
Functional Resolution Of PTEX, The Exporter Of Virulence Factors In Malaria Parasites.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$625,212.00
Summary
Almost half a million people die each year of malaria and nearly half the world’s population are at risk. To eliminate malaria this century we will need new drugs and vaccine to fight the disease. One potential drug target are the molecular gateways called PTEX, that are used by parasites to export virulence proteins into their human host cells. This grant aims to understand how the PTEX molecular machines work so we can develop new drugs to block them and kill the parasites.
Understanding How A Parasite-derived Peptide Prevents Immune Mediated Demyelination
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$496,978.00
Summary
Over millennia of co-evolution with humans, parasitic worms have developed the capacity to modulate the human immune system. We have characterised and identified novel molecules secreted by these worms. In this project we will assess the therapeutic potential of the parasite molecules using animal models of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.
The Structural Resolution Of PTEX, The Translocon Of Virulence Proteins And Malaria Parasites.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$561,028.00
Summary
The extraordinary virulence of malaria parasites is in part due to their ability to export hundreds of proteins into their red blood cell hosts that help them obtain nutrients and avoid the immune system. Recently we discovered the molecular machine that exports proteins into the host cell and we now wish to establish how it works so drugs can be tailored to block the machine and kill the parasites.
Griseofulvin, A Novel Host-directed Antimalarial Drug
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$461,551.00
Summary
This grant is for a Phase II clinical trial to test an FDA & TGA approved drug for a new use as an antimalarial drug. The parasite uses an enzyme from the human RBC to help it replicate & early trials show this drug appears to disrupt the life cycle of the parasite. This Phase II clinical trial will test the drug on human subjects, & if successful, the drug will be a new and novel way in which to treat and prevent malarial infections in humans.
Functional Characterisation Of The Malaria Protein Export Machinery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$556,104.00
Summary
The ability of malaria parasites to cause one of the most devastating infectious diseases of humans is in part due to their ability to export hundreds of proteins into their host red blood cells to obtain nutrients, evade the immune system and contribute to associated pathologies. Recently, we discovered the molecular machine that exports proteins into the host cell and so now we wish to establish how it works so that drugs can be tailored to block it to kill these parasites.
Targeting An Ion Pump In The Malaria Parasite With Multiple Compound Classes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$384,686.00
Summary
Large-scale antimalarial drug screening projects have identified three different classes of compound that kill the malaria parasite at extremely low doses and which hold real promise as next-generation antimalarials. Genetic evidence, as well as preliminary data from our own lab, has led us to the hypothesis that all three compound classes exert their antimalarial effect by blocking a molecular ion pump on the parasite surface. The aim of this study is to test this.
The Control And Regulatory Mechanisms Of Artemisinin Induced Dormancy In P. Falciparum
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$495,552.00
Summary
Malaria is a major global health problem and can only be reliably treated with artemisinin combinations in many areas due to widespread of drug resistance. However a proportion of parasites appear to be able to avoid the lethal effects of the drug by becoming “dormant” following exposure. They resume growth after the drug is wanned, a feature which is reminisent to cell cycle arrest. This study investigates the role of cell cycle machinery in dormancy following arteminsinin treatment.