Emergence of a virulent strain of West Nile virus causing fatal equine encephalitis in south-eastern Australia. In 2011 a large outbreak of encephalitis in horses occurred in south-eastern Australia that was caused by a new virus that is transmitted by mosquitoes and is related to West Nile virus, known to cause severe disease in humans and horses. This project will study this new virus and develop improved methods for diagnosis and control of this disease.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120101701
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
A porcine model to provide new insights on scabies immunopathology. Scabies is a poorly understood parasitic disease of medical and veterinary significance. This project will use a world-first experimental model to investigate the progression of host immune responses in scabies, which will enable the development of new control strategies for this neglected disease.
Ecology and transmission of tick-borne disease in Australia. Ecology and transmission of tick-borne disease in Australia. This project aims to determine the bacterial, protozoal and viral biodiversity in wildlife ticks and their native mammal hosts, and provide new information about the biology and transmission dynamics of these microorganisms and their potential to cause disease in wildlife, domesticated animals and humans. Anticipated outcomes are improved diagnostic tests and management proto ....Ecology and transmission of tick-borne disease in Australia. Ecology and transmission of tick-borne disease in Australia. This project aims to determine the bacterial, protozoal and viral biodiversity in wildlife ticks and their native mammal hosts, and provide new information about the biology and transmission dynamics of these microorganisms and their potential to cause disease in wildlife, domesticated animals and humans. Anticipated outcomes are improved diagnostic tests and management protocols for tick-borne disease in Australia.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180100512
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$365,058.00
Summary
Bird flu in avian species: understanding the mechanisms of disease. This project aims to understand the genesis and pathogenesis of influenza virus in avian species. The project will investigate the role of bacteria in influenza severity in chickens, the role of avian endothelial cells in the emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses and the susceptibility of Australia’s native black swans to influenza. This project will generate fundamental knowledge that may help reduce the severi ....Bird flu in avian species: understanding the mechanisms of disease. This project aims to understand the genesis and pathogenesis of influenza virus in avian species. The project will investigate the role of bacteria in influenza severity in chickens, the role of avian endothelial cells in the emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses and the susceptibility of Australia’s native black swans to influenza. This project will generate fundamental knowledge that may help reduce the severity of influenza in avian populations and provide a new insight into the anti-viral response of an iconic Australian bird species.Read moreRead less
Mathematical modelling can provide vital information on the effectiveness and practical implementation of microbicides and vaccines against HIV. This project will produce mathematical models of the earliest stages of HIV infection suitable for investigation of the implementation of vaccines and microbicides. It will provide a framework to investigate why these interventions have performed poorly to date, and how these may be better implemented.
Rhinovirus impairs physiological and immunological lung development and causes exacerbation of allergic airways disease. Rhinovirus (RV) infections account for around 90 per cent of asthma exacerbations, yet the mechanisms behind this are unknown. This project will use mouse models to study the effects of early life RV infection and allergic sensitisation on respiratory and immunological development, with the expectation that early life RV infection disrupts anitgen presenting cell function.
Bioactive Peptides as Pharmacological Tools and Novel Drug Leads. Bioactive peptides are produced by all organisms and play numerous critical physiological roles, including in cellular communication, host defence and capture of prey. Peptides have huge potential as tools for studying roles of signalling pathways and as novel drugs due to their high affinity and selectivity for various therapeutically relevant targets. However their use has been limited by poor in vivo stability. This project is ....Bioactive Peptides as Pharmacological Tools and Novel Drug Leads. Bioactive peptides are produced by all organisms and play numerous critical physiological roles, including in cellular communication, host defence and capture of prey. Peptides have huge potential as tools for studying roles of signalling pathways and as novel drugs due to their high affinity and selectivity for various therapeutically relevant targets. However their use has been limited by poor in vivo stability. This project is focused on studying structural features of a range of peptides and their contributions to both activity and to resistance against degradation, with the aim to develop stabilised bioactive peptide sequences for in vivo applications, allowing the full potential of peptides as drugs to be realised.Read moreRead less
Herpesvirus entry into mammalian hosts. Herpesviruses infect most mammals and cause much chronic disease. Our poor understanding of their host entry pathways limits infection control. The olfactory neuroepithelium has been identified as a key entry portal for both a murid herpesvirus and a human pathogen, Herpes simplex virus, suggesting that many herpesviruses use this route. Virions cross the olfactory mucus on neuronal cilia, then either infect neurons or transfer to glial cells for local spr ....Herpesvirus entry into mammalian hosts. Herpesviruses infect most mammals and cause much chronic disease. Our poor understanding of their host entry pathways limits infection control. The olfactory neuroepithelium has been identified as a key entry portal for both a murid herpesvirus and a human pathogen, Herpes simplex virus, suggesting that many herpesviruses use this route. Virions cross the olfactory mucus on neuronal cilia, then either infect neurons or transfer to glial cells for local spread. This project will identify key receptor interactions and map the extent of invasion. By advancing our basic understanding of these important viruses and their uptake at an abundantly exposed but little explored anatomical site, the project can establish a basis for vaccinating against chronic disease.Read moreRead less