Diseases caused by the pneumococcus represent the largest cause of vaccine preventable death in the world today, mainly pneumonia and meningitis. In 2011, 16 developing countries will introduce pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, none in east Asia. Lack of research has been a major barrier to their use in the region. We have established an international centre of excellence in the field and we seek support to extend the capacity of this group and to transfer the technology to Vietnam.
Impact Of DTP Schedules On The Immunogenicity Of 2 Doses Of 13v-PCV Followed By An Early Booster
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,651,687.00
Summary
This project aims to come up with a vaccination schedule to make pneumococcal vaccines more effective and affordable for Fiji and other developing countries. We will evaluate schedules involving a 2 dose primary series in early infancy with a booster at 9 months of age. We will compare the immune responses to 3 different primary series and 2 booster options. The results of this project will be used to provide advice, at global and country levels, regarding introduction of pneumococcal vaccines.
Protecting Against Malaria Through Liver-resident Memory T Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,196,853.00
Summary
We have shown that formation of liver-resident memory T cells (Trm), a newly discovered type of immune cells, can be induced by an innovative vaccination strategy called prime and trap for highly efficient protection against malaria in mice. Here, we will enhance prime and trap vaccination efficacy by defining the conditions that maximize liver Trm-mediated protection and will characterize simian and human liver Trm cells, paving the way to create the most efficient human malaria vaccine to date
Optimising Cervical Screening After The Introduction Of HPV Vaccination In Australia: Modelling Of Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$316,089.00
Summary
This research project will aid decision-making about how best to perform cervical screening in Australia after the introduction of vaccination against the human papillomavirus (or HPV). The project will use computer simulation techniques to explore different scenarios for vaccination and screening and to determine the optimal approach. This project involves a group of international collaborators with expertise in a number of areas including cancer epidemiology, screening for cancer, and computer ....This research project will aid decision-making about how best to perform cervical screening in Australia after the introduction of vaccination against the human papillomavirus (or HPV). The project will use computer simulation techniques to explore different scenarios for vaccination and screening and to determine the optimal approach. This project involves a group of international collaborators with expertise in a number of areas including cancer epidemiology, screening for cancer, and computer simulation methods. HPV is the virus responsible for the development of cervical cancer, and clinical trials have demonstrated that HPV vaccines administered to adoloescent girls are very effective at preventing disease that might have led to cancer in the future. However, Australia currently has a very effective Pap smear screening program, and in the first phase after the introduction of vaccination it will be important for women to continue being screened as usual. In the long term, HPV vaccination is expected to reduce the need for Pap smears. The research will involve a very detailed simulation of how HPV is transmitted in the Australian population, and how this will change after vaccination. The simulation will address questions of importance for any future public HPV vaccination program, such as whether males should be vaccinated as well as females. The simulation will also be used to determine the optimal starting age and frequency of Pap smears in the future. The outcomes of the research will be very important for policy-makers. In the long term, this research will ensure that the best recommendations are formulated for the timing and frequency of Pap smears after HPV vaccination is introduced.Read moreRead less
A Study To Investigate Alternative Regimens For Pneumococcal Vaccination Of Infants In A Developing Country
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,622,210.00
Summary
Streptococcus pneumoniae (Pnc) is the leading vaccine preventable cause of serious infection in infants. The current Pnc conjugate vaccine is very expensive (approximately USD $200-infant) so it is unlikely to be affordable for most developing countries. Moreover, as health care access in developing countries may be episodic and unreliable, many children do not receive either complete or timely vaccine courses. Therefore, it is important to investigate affordable and flexible ways to deliver thi ....Streptococcus pneumoniae (Pnc) is the leading vaccine preventable cause of serious infection in infants. The current Pnc conjugate vaccine is very expensive (approximately USD $200-infant) so it is unlikely to be affordable for most developing countries. Moreover, as health care access in developing countries may be episodic and unreliable, many children do not receive either complete or timely vaccine courses. Therefore, it is important to investigate affordable and flexible ways to deliver this vaccine, which are safe and effective. A recent WHO-GAVI meeting to address impediments to the introduction of these vaccines in developing countries recognized the need to evaluate other regimens of Pnc conjugate vaccine as an important research priority. This study has been deliberately formulated with that need in mind. The site for this research is Fiji. Although health services are good, Pnc disease, particularly pneumonia, remains the commonest cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. Fiji has good vaccine coverage and was the first Pacific country to introduce Hib vaccine. The arrival of the new, expensive Pnc conjugate vaccine presents a dilemma for Fiji and many similar countries. The expense of this vaccine would consume a large portion of the health budget. This study has two components: 1. A Phase 2 immunogenicity study (involving 750 infants) to evaluate regimens using reduced numbers of doses of Pnc conjugate vaccine, and using timing of dosing and combinations with the Pnc polysaccharide (PS) vaccine that may be more suited to the epidemiology of Pnc disease in developing countries. 2. An epidemiological study will measure the burden of invasive Pnc disease and pneumonia in Fiji. This will be part of a global effort to address these issues, and will be used to develop rapid assessment tools for these diseases in developing countries. We will seek cofounding for this component.Read moreRead less
Immunisation In Under Studied And Special Risk Populations: Closing The Gap In Knowledge Through A Multidisciplinary Approach
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,499,969.00
Summary
Much of the vaccine research which informs national policy is conducted by the pharmaceutical industry or by government. However, there are critical research gaps in special-risk and under-served populations where targeted research is not commercially viable. These include research in the extremes of age, Indigenous Australians, migrants, refugees, immunosuppressed and traveller populations. This CRE will address research gaps in such populations, which have not been addressed elsewhere, using n ....Much of the vaccine research which informs national policy is conducted by the pharmaceutical industry or by government. However, there are critical research gaps in special-risk and under-served populations where targeted research is not commercially viable. These include research in the extremes of age, Indigenous Australians, migrants, refugees, immunosuppressed and traveller populations. This CRE will address research gaps in such populations, which have not been addressed elsewhere, using novel, multidisciplinary methods.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0453561
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$336,706.00
Summary
Integrated Precision Machining of Complex Profiles. High precision and high speed machining is of central importance to the development of a wide range of frontier technologies such as precision manufacturing, nano-materials fabrication, semiconductor and composite processing, vehicle production and steel structure manufacturing. The research significance has been well established by the world-leading projects and achievements. The proposed facility has distinct features and capability of high l ....Integrated Precision Machining of Complex Profiles. High precision and high speed machining is of central importance to the development of a wide range of frontier technologies such as precision manufacturing, nano-materials fabrication, semiconductor and composite processing, vehicle production and steel structure manufacturing. The research significance has been well established by the world-leading projects and achievements. The proposed facility has distinct features and capability of high loop-stiffness, high repeatability, universal profiling, organic integration of key machining operations, and great flexibility of both low and high speeds. These unique characteristics will enable the innovative development of many research programs which will otherwise be impossible to achieve.Read moreRead less
High-Performance Microwave and Millimetre Wave Antennae Based on Multi-layer Periodic Structures. Broadband communication has created a rapidly growing market for innovative microwave communication systems such as WiFi and WiMAX. Millimetre-wave technology is expected to deliver the next leap in communication technology with much faster wireless links for 3D TV etc. By developing innovative, low-cost, planar antennas with high performance, the proposed research will create opportunities for Aust ....High-Performance Microwave and Millimetre Wave Antennae Based on Multi-layer Periodic Structures. Broadband communication has created a rapidly growing market for innovative microwave communication systems such as WiFi and WiMAX. Millimetre-wave technology is expected to deliver the next leap in communication technology with much faster wireless links for 3D TV etc. By developing innovative, low-cost, planar antennas with high performance, the proposed research will create opportunities for Australian industry to compete in this growing global market with advanced, cost-effective, microwave and millimetre-wave products. The Australian research community will benefit from new methods, techniques and trained researchers, while Australian consumers will benefit from improved quality and low cost of services.Read moreRead less
Hybrid-resonator antennas for wireless communication networks. The rapid emergence of modern wireless communication systems has led to a requirement for small, lightweight antennas. In this project, a new, broadband, low-cost, small and lightweight antenna architecture will be developed for wireless systems. The new architecture is based on a novel hybrid-resonator concept: a dielectric resonator tightly coupled to a metal patch resonator. The rapid design and optimisation of new antennas will b ....Hybrid-resonator antennas for wireless communication networks. The rapid emergence of modern wireless communication systems has led to a requirement for small, lightweight antennas. In this project, a new, broadband, low-cost, small and lightweight antenna architecture will be developed for wireless systems. The new architecture is based on a novel hybrid-resonator concept: a dielectric resonator tightly coupled to a metal patch resonator. The rapid design and optimisation of new antennas will be achieved by developing several new theoretical methods. Antennas targeted for the Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (UNII) band (5-6 GHz) commercial wireless communication systems will be designed, fabricated, tested and integrated with the systems.
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