Developing Core Bioinformatics Capacity At The Australian Institute Of Tropical Health And Medicine
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Cost-effective next generation sequencing is now a reality, meaning the bottleneck for research projects is shifting from data generation to data analysis. Researchers at the Australian Institute of Health and Tropical Medicine (AITHM) are engaged in an increasing number of high-impact projects that require timely access to bioinformatic best-practices methodologies. This proposal outlines a strategy to support these projects by developing and expanding the bioinformatics capacity within AITHM.
Improving Health Outcomes In The Tropical North: A Multidisciplinary Collaboration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,997,916.00
Summary
Improving Health Outcomes in the Tropical North will strengthen partnerships with research institutions in the NT, Qld, WA, NSW, Vic and SA, by undertaking a research agenda that will help close the gap in Indigenous health disadvantage, protect the north from emerging infectious threats and engage regional neighbours. We will establish a northern Australian network that incorporates Indigenous engagement, mentoring and knowledge translation, and facilitates collaboration with southern partners.
Population Dynamics And Evolution Of Mosquitoes That Transmit Malaria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$381,807.00
Summary
Population dynamics and evolutionary process are fundamental to mosquito-borne infectious diseases as evolutionary forces steer both mosquito and malaria parasite to evolve around obstacles in their natural development. Environmental and ecological factors also influence the relationship between mosquito, parasite and humans. Therefore control of mosquito borne disease depends on an innate understanding of the genetics, behavior and environment. Thus studies on mosquito population dynamics inclu ....Population dynamics and evolutionary process are fundamental to mosquito-borne infectious diseases as evolutionary forces steer both mosquito and malaria parasite to evolve around obstacles in their natural development. Environmental and ecological factors also influence the relationship between mosquito, parasite and humans. Therefore control of mosquito borne disease depends on an innate understanding of the genetics, behavior and environment. Thus studies on mosquito population dynamics including population densities, migration, population subdivisions and competition for resources will allow an understanding of these relationships. Island populations of malaria transmitting mosquitoes contain less genetic complexity (genetic variation in mosquito subpopulations) than mainland populations. Thus mosquito island populations may not contain the genetic capability of evolving around detrimental selection pressures such as the use of insecticides or predators. Armed with accurate knowledge of genetic complexity, biology and behavior of mosquito disease vector species, control measures can be accurately focused at specific populations (high disease transmission mosquito populations). This project we will identify specific populations of mosquitoes using their DNA to reveal genetic markers for specific behavior traits. Due to the smaller amount of genetic variations that island mosquito populations contain, and our aquired knowledge of their behavior and biology. We will design focused mosquito control strategies with knowledge that the mosquitoes will have a smaller chance of evolving around these control measures.Read moreRead less
Linking Genomics Of Burkholderia Pseudomallei To Melioidosis: Diversity Of Clinical Manifestations, Changing Epidemiology And Microevolution In Chronic Carriage.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$602,769.00
Summary
The Darwin Prospective Melioidosis Study has documented 761 cases since 1989, with 102 fatalities. This study has led to improved therapy and public health initiatives. New technology to sequence whole bacterial genomes provides an opportunity to determine why urban melioidosis is increasing and to analyse this unique 22+ year set of bacteria and their linked patient data to find the important bacterial virulence factors, forming a foundation for future diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines.
Exploring Resistance Of Plasmodium Vivax To Antimalarial Drugs: A Retrospective And Prospective Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$439,230.00
Summary
Although previously considered a 'benign' form of the disease, vivax malaria is increasingly recognised as a cause of complications and even death. Unfortunately, the parasite is developing resistance to conventional drugs. Papua New Guinea was where resistance to chloroquine was first detected and other drugs are following suit. We plan to examine the parasite genes involved in this process, including before and after the introduction of a new strategy in PNG, artemisinin combination therapy.
Control Of Neglected Tropical Diseases In The Pacific: Integration Of Programs To Increase Their Impact
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,499,801.00
Summary
Our goal is to improve programs to control neglected tropical diseases, diseases of poverty common in Australia's neighbours: Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. Our partners are supporting the Ministries of Health in these countries to implement integrated programs to better control these diseases. Our multidisciplinary research will use improved diagnostics, spatial mapping, health systems, social science and health economics to evaluate this integrated approach to disease control.
I am a clinician-scientist in infectious and tropical diseases, working towards the better understanding of the pathophysiology of malaria and other tropical diseases of public health importance in our region, and new ways of prevention and treatment.
Sustainable Control And Elimination Of Neglected Tropical Diseases In The Asia-Pacific
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$428,065.00
Summary
The neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are of major public health importance. Parasitic worms are the most common infecting almost a third of the world’s population. Multi-component integrated intervention strategies will be required for sustainable control and elimination of NTDs in the Asia-Pacific. I will develop and lead the first Australian Centre for Population Health Research on NTDs that will undertake research into their epidemiology, control and elimination.
Haemoglobin Degrading Proteases As Targets Of Anti-hookworm Vaccines
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$522,773.00
Summary
Blood-feeding worms ingest red blood cells and disrupt them in the intestine, releasing haemogobin (Hb). We have recently shown that canine hookworms employ a battery of distinct proteolytic enzymes, termed haemoglobinases, which digest Hb. The families of proteases used and the order in which they act are strikingly similar to the defined catalytic pathway used by the malaria parasite to digest Hb in its food vacuole. Recent work from our laboratory has shown that these proteases are effective ....Blood-feeding worms ingest red blood cells and disrupt them in the intestine, releasing haemogobin (Hb). We have recently shown that canine hookworms employ a battery of distinct proteolytic enzymes, termed haemoglobinases, which digest Hb. The families of proteases used and the order in which they act are strikingly similar to the defined catalytic pathway used by the malaria parasite to digest Hb in its food vacuole. Recent work from our laboratory has shown that these proteases are effective as vaccines against canine hookworm disease by interfering with the worm's ability to feed on blood and obtain suitable nutrition. This in turn affects the ability of female worms to lay eggs, thereby potentially disrupting transmission of the parasites. We now propose to identify the genes encoding haemoglobinases from the human hookworm, Necator americanus, determine the ordered pathway of Hb degradation and explore in vitro correlates of the effectiveness of a haemoglobinase vaccine in animal models of hookworm infection and pathogenesis.Read moreRead less