Investigating The Utility Of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Of Beta-lactam Antibiotics In Hospitalised Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$215,887.00
Summary
The appropriate dosing of antibiotics for patients admitted to hospital is based on broad guidelines derived from studies in healthy volunteers or in patients that may have different types of infections. Minor changes in the clinical state of the patients can require significant dosing adjustments. The best way to guarantee appropriate antibiotic therapy is to individualize doses based on blood concentration data. We aim to determine the utility of dose adjustment in hospitalized patients.
Prof Paterson is an Infectious Diseases Physician studying the molecular and clinical epidemiology of infections with Gram negative bacteria producing newer beta-lactamases.
There is huge interest in the development of bioactive peptides and proteins for the treatment of a wide range of diseases. However, the biggest challenge in the development of peptide and protein drugs is overcoming their poor stability in the human body. The aim of my research is to develop novel methods that provide therapeutically promising peptides and proteins the ability to resist the body’s natural degradation pathways so they can reach their biological target and act as effective drugs.
Male Chlamydia Infections: The Key Role Of Macrophages In Testicular Dissemination And Disrupted Spermatogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$868,464.00
Summary
Male partners of couples seeking IVF, who are seropositive for Chlamydia, indicating a prior infection, often have significantly impaired sperm quality (reduced motility, increased DNA damage and abnormal sperm morphology). Our studies will define how Chlamydia are transported to the testis from the penis and how chronic chlamydial infection in the testis disrupts sperm development. We will also develop new antibiotic delivery systems to improve treatment of male chlamydial infections.
Once treatable infections are becoming deadly because bacteria are developing broad antibiotic resistance. New medicines are urgently needed. Microbes themselves are the richest known source of new antibiotics but finding the 'good bugs' is like finding a needle in a microbial haystack. This project will use state-of-the art science to screen a previously overlooked source of rich microbial biodiversity and find new antibiotics.
Targeting Polymyxin-resistant Gram-negative Superbugs: Development Of Novel Antimicrobial Lipopeptides
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$661,069.00
Summary
Prevalence of resistance to antibiotics among Gram-negative 'superbugs' is a major global medical challenge, which is highlighted by the Bad Bugs, No Drugs campaign of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. There are virtually no new antibiotics in the current drug development pipeline for these dangerous pathogens. In this project, novel lipopeptides will be designed, synthesised and evaluated against these 'superbugs'. Information obtained will be crucial for further drug development.
Novel TB Drug Candidates Via The Inhibition Of Lipid I Biosynthesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$780,743.00
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) is an enormous global health problem with a continuing impact in Australia. TB is now the leading killer of any infectious disease (1.8 million people per year) and the rapid emergence of drug resistant TB infections threatens to prevent efforts to control the disease. This project seeks to develop novel TB drug candidates that operate by preventing the construction of the cell wall by the bacterial agent that causes the disease.