Comparative Expression Studies To Identify Cellular Factors Promoting Hendra Virus Replication For A Comprehensive Understanding Of Hendra Virus Pathogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$374,619.00
Summary
Hendra virus (HeV) is an emerging pathogen indigenous to fruit bats. HeV is associated with limited outbreaks with high mortality in domesticated animals and humans. To advance the understanding of HeV-related pathogenesis, we will perform comparative studies in bat and human cell lines to recognise differences in virus-host cell interactions leading to a comprehensive understanding of the HeV life cycle and pathogenesis.
Chronic Active Viral Persistence Versus Host Immune Mediated Pathology: An Analysis And Manipulation Of The Balance.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$418,658.00
Summary
Our robust ability to mount an immune response and clear infections is tempered by the possibility of promoting autoimmunity. Several host genes regulate immunity. Viruses like HIV have exploited these to abrogate antiviral immunity. This project attempts to define host factors that promote chronic infection. This will be extremely valuable in understanding the vulnerabilities of our immune system and provide an insight into how we can treat chronic infections.
Soluble Inhibitors Of Influenza Virus In The Airway Fluids Of Mice, Ferrets And Humans.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$404,803.00
Summary
This study will characterize the ability of soluble proteins in airway secretions to recognize and destroy influenza viruses. As many of our insights regarding influenza pathogenesis are derived from studies in animal models, we will characterize the importance of proteins in airway fluids from mice and ferrets, as well as from humans. These findings will be of particular importance when assessing the relevance of particular animal models to understanding human disease.
Clearing Chronic Infectious Diseases – Enhancing Host Immune Effector Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$92,314.00
Summary
Chronic infections produced by pathogens such as HIV, overwhelm our immune system leading to an exhausted state where cells responsible for the clearance of invading microorganisms are unable to respond effectively. We have recently identified a highly promising therapeutic target that enhances immune effector function. We seek to understand the underlying mechanism, and to explore the therapeutic potential of this approach for the treatment of a broad range of pathogens, including those respons ....Chronic infections produced by pathogens such as HIV, overwhelm our immune system leading to an exhausted state where cells responsible for the clearance of invading microorganisms are unable to respond effectively. We have recently identified a highly promising therapeutic target that enhances immune effector function. We seek to understand the underlying mechanism, and to explore the therapeutic potential of this approach for the treatment of a broad range of pathogens, including those responsible for chronic disease.Read moreRead less
Characterize The Post-entry Events Of HIV Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$605,190.00
Summary
For HIV to successful infect a target cell, it must properly remove the outer layers of its protective gears (outer viral protein coats) to allow the viral genetic materials to be replicate (duplicate and multiplied) for the generation of their ‘offspring viruses’. This process is known as viral uncoating, and it is arguably one of the least understood areas of HIV. In this proposal, we will use a number of complementary state-of-the-arts research tools to characterize the HIV uncoating process.
Viral infections that mothers catch during pregnancy still cause much illness in babies either in the womb, or after birth. One of these infections called CMV causes more babies to be born with malformation in Australia than any other infection, and is second only to cerebral palsy as a cause of serious problems in babies. Our studies are examining CMV in mothers and babies, leading to better diagnostic tests, researching use of existing and new antiviral drugs to reduce infection in these mothe ....Viral infections that mothers catch during pregnancy still cause much illness in babies either in the womb, or after birth. One of these infections called CMV causes more babies to be born with malformation in Australia than any other infection, and is second only to cerebral palsy as a cause of serious problems in babies. Our studies are examining CMV in mothers and babies, leading to better diagnostic tests, researching use of existing and new antiviral drugs to reduce infection in these mothers and babies.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms Of Immune Modulation By Varicella Zoster Virus During Cutaneous Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$570,446.00
Summary
Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a herpesvirus which infects up to 90% of the population. VZV causes two skin diseases: chicken pox (varicella) predominantly in childhood and shingles (herpes zoster) in middle to old age people. Whilst VZV usually causes relatively mild disease in healthy individuals, VZV still causes significant morbidity in children and adults. VZV causes life-threatening disease in immunocompromised individuals such as patients who are elderly or have HIV disease. Shingles aff ....Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a herpesvirus which infects up to 90% of the population. VZV causes two skin diseases: chicken pox (varicella) predominantly in childhood and shingles (herpes zoster) in middle to old age people. Whilst VZV usually causes relatively mild disease in healthy individuals, VZV still causes significant morbidity in children and adults. VZV causes life-threatening disease in immunocompromised individuals such as patients who are elderly or have HIV disease. Shingles affects many elderly individuals and a major complication is prolonged severe pain or post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), which can be severely debilitating and often requires follow-up medical care for months or even years after the initial attack. Despite its significant impact on the community, little is known about how this virus functions and causes disease. This project aims to improve our understanding of how VZV infection of the skin affects the function of specialised skin cells in order to provide novel information for the development of therapies aimed at lessening the impact of VZV disease on the community. This project has three main components: (1) To determine what the differences are in the types of immune cells present in infected skin from chicken pox and shingles sufferers. (2) To assess the impact of VZV infection on the ability of specialised immune cells (called dendritic cells) to function properly (3) To identify which parts of the virus (called genes) code for functions that interfere with the proper function of specialised immune cells (dendritic cells)Read moreRead less
Hepatitis C Virus infects 3% of the world's population causing recurring liver disease, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. To infect a liver cell, the viral glycoproteins attach to cell surface molecules wher they are activated to mediate merger of the viral and cellular membranes. This project grant will explore how the viral glycopropteins become activated and obtain essential structural information on the viral glycoproteins. These studies will help us to design antiviral agents.
I am a virologist carrying out research to determine the mechanisms underlying rotavirus cellular tropism and the pathogenesis of rotavirus disease. Rotavirus is the major cause of infantile gastroenteritis worldwide. I am combining the expertise of my group in rotavirus biology with the power of inter-disciplinary collaborations in the areas of sugar chemistry, cell biology, structural biology and diabetes to expand understanding in these areas. Novel treatments and improvements in rotavirus va ....I am a virologist carrying out research to determine the mechanisms underlying rotavirus cellular tropism and the pathogenesis of rotavirus disease. Rotavirus is the major cause of infantile gastroenteritis worldwide. I am combining the expertise of my group in rotavirus biology with the power of inter-disciplinary collaborations in the areas of sugar chemistry, cell biology, structural biology and diabetes to expand understanding in these areas. Novel treatments and improvements in rotavirus vaccines are the long term goal of our research.Read moreRead less
Influenza A Virus PB1-F2 Protein: A Putative Virulence Factor And Initiator Of Inflammation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$474,718.00
Summary
Influenza virus produces a protein of undefined function called PB1-F2. Infection of mice with virus expressing PB1-F2 from virulent strains causes severe lung inflammation, while PB1-F2 from milder seasonal viruses does not. We will examine how PB1-F2 influences virulence of human influenza in the ferret, which exhibits the same illness as humans. This work will help understand the disease severity of newly evolved influenza viruses of humans and the role of PB1-F2 in mediating this.