This project uses latest genomic technologies to advance our understanding of how bacteria cause disease and finding new antibiotics/approaches to stop the spread of multi-drug resistant hospital superbugs.
Dissecting The Molecular Basis For Emerging Alcohol Tolerance In VRE
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$836,620.00
Summary
Infections caused by vancomycin resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm) are a major and growing problem in health care facilities around Australia. We have observed that VREfm is becoming significantly more resistant to killing by alcohol, probably due the increasing use of alcohol-based hand wash products. This project will identify how VREfm is becoming alcohol tolerant, knowledge that will be used to develop alternative disinfection methods or other intervention strategies to stop its spread.
Bacterial Pathogenomics: Whole-genome Sequencing To Investigate Infection Transmission, Pathogenesis And Antibiotic Resistance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$475,946.00
Summary
As bacterial superbugs – resistant to multiple antibiotics – dominate the headlines, the pipeline for new antibiotics has all but dried up. High-throughput DNA sequencing heralds a golden opportunity for infectious disease research. By studying the entire collection of genes - the genome - of large numbers of multidrug resistant bacterial strains, we aim to better understand the genetic changes that govern the emergence and global spread of superbugs and translate these findings into the clinic.
Understanding, Reducing And Preventing Communicable Diseases Using Applied Pathogen Genomics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$303,014.00
Summary
Infectious diseases are a major threat to human health. New molecular methods, particularly whole genome sequencing, promise a revolution in the way in which infections are diagnosed, detected and tracked in the 21st century. This research will use cutting edge molecular technologies to understand the factors that lead to the emergence, evolution and spread of important bacteria, including bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics.
Identifying Key Players In The Spread Of Antimicrobial Resistance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$817,448.00
Summary
Antibiotic drugs are essential to treat bacterial infections. However some bacteria have genes that allow them to resist certain drugs, which can be transferred among bacteria to create 'superbugs' that can resist nearly all the drugs we have. This project investigates the transfer of drug resistance genes between Gram negative bacteria (common agents of food poisoning, hospital infection, UTI, etc) and aims to identify the bacteria and genes most important in the spread of superbugs in Australi ....Antibiotic drugs are essential to treat bacterial infections. However some bacteria have genes that allow them to resist certain drugs, which can be transferred among bacteria to create 'superbugs' that can resist nearly all the drugs we have. This project investigates the transfer of drug resistance genes between Gram negative bacteria (common agents of food poisoning, hospital infection, UTI, etc) and aims to identify the bacteria and genes most important in the spread of superbugs in Australia.Read moreRead less
How Are Klebsiella Pneumoniae Infections Acquired In Hospital?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$496,228.00
Summary
Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp) bacteria are among the top causes of hospital infections and are often resistant to a wide range of antibiotics. While some hospital bugs are well-studied, we are considerably behind in our understanding of Kp, which can be carried in our bodies as a commensal without causing disease. Bacterial genomics will be used to dissect how Kp infections are acquired in hospital, including investigating the evidence for hospital transmission and the role of commensal carriage in ....Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp) bacteria are among the top causes of hospital infections and are often resistant to a wide range of antibiotics. While some hospital bugs are well-studied, we are considerably behind in our understanding of Kp, which can be carried in our bodies as a commensal without causing disease. Bacterial genomics will be used to dissect how Kp infections are acquired in hospital, including investigating the evidence for hospital transmission and the role of commensal carriage in causing serious hospital infections.Read moreRead less
Improving Prevention, Tracking And Treatment Of Major Human Bacterial Pathogens
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$467,961.00
Summary
This research fellowship will lead to a detailed understanding of the mechanisms by which bacteria become resistant to antibiotics and cause diseases, how bacterial pathogens evolve and spread in the Australian community, and will result in new understanding of the optimal treatment of bacterial diseases and identification of compounds for new antibiotic development.
Functional And Genomic Analysis Of The Globally Disseminated Multidrug Resistant Escherichia Coli ST131 Clone
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$825,537.00
Summary
Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is a major cause of urinary tract infections (UTI) and sepsis. Recently, a highly virulent clone of UPEC (E. coli ST131) that is resistant to multiple types of antibiotics has emerged and spread worldwide. This project uses genomic and high-throughput functional analysis methods to understand E. coli ST131 virulence and resistance. The outcomes of the work will be a better understanding of how E. coli ST131 causes disease, and potentially new treatment regim ....Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is a major cause of urinary tract infections (UTI) and sepsis. Recently, a highly virulent clone of UPEC (E. coli ST131) that is resistant to multiple types of antibiotics has emerged and spread worldwide. This project uses genomic and high-throughput functional analysis methods to understand E. coli ST131 virulence and resistance. The outcomes of the work will be a better understanding of how E. coli ST131 causes disease, and potentially new treatment regimes for UTI.Read moreRead less
Investigation Of The Role And Mode Of Action Of Mycolactones And Other Factors In The Pathogenesis Of Buruli Ulcer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$509,267.00
Summary
Mycobacterium ulcerans is a bacterium that causes a very serious ulcerating skin disease known as Buruli ulcer. The only effective treatment is surgical removal of affected tissue, a process that can leave victims with life-long disabilities. Buruli ulcer has been increasing dramatically in many countries of Central and West Africa for reasons that are not well understood. Cases of Buruli ulcer also occur in the south and north of Australia where the disease is known as Bairnsdale ulcer and Dain ....Mycobacterium ulcerans is a bacterium that causes a very serious ulcerating skin disease known as Buruli ulcer. The only effective treatment is surgical removal of affected tissue, a process that can leave victims with life-long disabilities. Buruli ulcer has been increasing dramatically in many countries of Central and West Africa for reasons that are not well understood. Cases of Buruli ulcer also occur in the south and north of Australia where the disease is known as Bairnsdale ulcer and Daintree ulcer respectively. M. ulcerans produces an unusual toxin called mycolactone that kills human cells and causes immunosuppression. Mycolactone belongs to a class of compounds that have important pharmaceutical properties and include antibiotic, anti-tumour and immunosuppressive drugs. The aim of this project is to better understand how mycolactone kills cells and causes immunosuppression, and to identify other parts of M. ulcerans that may be required for ulcer formation. We have recently determined the complete DNA sequence of M. ulcerans and so we can now look very closely at how the bacterium causes disease. We will use our knowledge of the mycolactone DNA to genetically engineer modified mycolactones, and by systematically modifying mycolactone and then testing the properties of the modified compounds, we will be able to identify the components of mycolactone that confer its toxic and immunosuppressive properties. We will also test the products from other DNA sequences identified in M. ulcerans for their ability to kill cells or cause other biological effects that may be implicated in causing ulcers. The outcome of this project will be a much needed increase in our understanding of the role of mycolactone and other factors in causing Buruli ulcers. This knowledge will pave the way for developing effective treatments and will also open avenues for exploiting the biological properties of mycolactones in the development of new pharmaceuticals.Read moreRead less
Expression And Secretion Of Large Clostridial Toxins From The Pathogenic Clostridia.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$332,258.00
Summary
The large clostridial toxins are an important family of bacterial virulence factors that includes toxins from many disease-causing clostridial species. Despite their impact on public health, pathogenesis of disease caused by these bacteria is poorly understood. We will analyse how these bacteria regulate the production and secretion of the large toxins, which will give us a better understanding of the mechanisms of disease causation as well as identifying novel common therapeutic targets.