Translating Novel Vaccine Strategies To Early Phase Clinical Trials
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$855,986.00
Summary
My Fellowship will enable me to further develop and then test in pre-clinical and clinical trials novel vaccine candidates that we are developing to prevent infections with malaria parasites and with Streptococcus pyogenes. Malaria is responsible for the loss of over 600,000 young lives each year and S. pyogenes is responsible for over 500,000 deaths per year. Australia's Indigenous populations suffer the highest reported rates of streptococcal-related pathology worldwide.
Informing Vaccination Strategies For Pregnant Women Through Linked Population Health Data
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Vaccination during pregnancy has health benefits for mothers and their infants; however, it is a relatively new area of research, and the immediate and long-term consequences for children are currently not well understood. As part of this fellowship, I plan to conduct research into the long-term health impacts of vaccination during pregnancy. This fellowship will build my career as a perinatal epidemiologist and establish expertise in Australia related to vaccines given during pregnancy.
Asia-Pacific Pneumococcal Disease Control In The Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Era
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,500,000.00
Summary
Pneumonia is one of the commonest causes of childhood death worldwide. PCV is a vaccine that prevents pneumonia but it is costly; and causes an increase in disease from strains which are not in the vaccine. Our CRE will address 2 outstanding issues: when to switch from a 3 to 2 dose PCV schedule to make it more affordable; and create new understanding of the non-vaccine strains’ impact on disease in low- and middle-income countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
Investigating The Altered Landscape Of Enteric Viruses Causing Severe Gastroenteritis In Australian Children Following Rotavirus Vaccine Introduction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,644.00
Summary
The rotavirus vaccines were introduced in Australia in 2007, decreasing rotavirus disease. Rotavirus strains naturally evolve during replication, however, high vaccine coverage in the population creates a new environment with different evolutionary pressures where strains not protected by the vaccines may emerge and become dominant. The diminished circulation of rotavirus may create an environment where other viruses capable of causing childhood gastroenteritis may increase.
Links2HealthierBubs: Influenza And Pertussis Vaccine Effectiveness And Safety In Pregnancy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$676,333.00
Summary
Vaccination during pregnancy can offer protection against severe respiratory disease for infants in the first six months of life. For this reason, influenza and pertussis vaccines are routinely recommended during each pregnancy. Unfortunately, little is known about the ‘real world’ effect of both vaccines. We plan to conduct the largest and most comprehensive study to date to evaluate all vaccines routinely recommended in pregnancy in Australia.
Expression Of Malaria Parasite Invasion Associated Proteins In The Sporozoite Novel Vaccination Strategy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$202,000.00
Summary
Efforts to develop vaccines against malaria still represent a substantial focus of current research activities. Antigens present in the erythrocytic pathogenic stages of the infection account for the majority of targets investigated for potential vaccines. Experimental vaccines targeting the pre-erythrocytic stages [the sporozoite injected by the mosquito, and the hepatic stage parasite) have encompassed a lesser diversity of parasite antigens]. This is the case despite the fact that experimenta ....Efforts to develop vaccines against malaria still represent a substantial focus of current research activities. Antigens present in the erythrocytic pathogenic stages of the infection account for the majority of targets investigated for potential vaccines. Experimental vaccines targeting the pre-erythrocytic stages [the sporozoite injected by the mosquito, and the hepatic stage parasite) have encompassed a lesser diversity of parasite antigens]. This is the case despite the fact that experimentally induced sterile long-lasting immunity in humans has so far only been achieved through exposure to irradiated sporozoites. The acquisition and maintenance of this immunity depends on the use of invasive sporozoites and on the presence of developmentally arrested hepatic stage parasites.Read moreRead less
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.
Improving The Diagnosis, Treatment And Prevention Of Infectious Diseases In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,410,857.00
Summary
I am a clinician scientist whose research team bridges the gap between laboratory and clinical research to reduce the impact of childhood infectious diseases worldwide. The two main themes within my research program are: 1. Improving the diagnosis of childhood tuberculosis (TB) in resource-poor settings. 2. Understanding how BCG, the vaccine used to protect against TB, reduces other childhood illnesses, including non-TB infections, allergies, eczema and asthma.
Long-lived CD8 T Cell Responses Induced By A Recombinant Cytomegalovirus Vector
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$234,750.00
Summary
The priming of the immune system to protect against infection and disease is an important means to alleviate these conditions. Current vaccination technologies often rely on multiple inoculations (prime-boosting). In addition, specific priming of the immune system against pathogens that target mucosal sites has been difficult and often lacks efficacy resulting in temporary or variable protection. Using a well developed mouse model for a common human virus, we have explored the potential of this ....The priming of the immune system to protect against infection and disease is an important means to alleviate these conditions. Current vaccination technologies often rely on multiple inoculations (prime-boosting). In addition, specific priming of the immune system against pathogens that target mucosal sites has been difficult and often lacks efficacy resulting in temporary or variable protection. Using a well developed mouse model for a common human virus, we have explored the potential of this agent as a vaccine agent, making use of its long term persistence in the infected host to provide continued antigenic stimulation of the immune system. We have found that very strong and long lasting responses can be elicited after a single inoculation of avirulent virus. In this study, this effect will be further explored and developed.Read moreRead less