I am an infectious diseases physician and virologist/immunologist focused on developing and testing vaccines against the AIDS virus. I intend to achieve this by advancing novel vaccine concepts that stimulate broad and potent immunity and evaluating these vaccines in rigorous laboratory models and then moving them towards clinical trials.
Understanding The Role Of NS Segments In Evading Influenza A Virus-specific Humoral And T Cell Immunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$213,812.00
Summary
Influenza viruses developed two ways to survive against host immune response: (i) mutating in its genes to escape host immune response, which may cause a new pandemic; (ii) using its NS1 protein to impair host immune response. However, little is known on how these two processes occur and whether NS1 could influence the outcome of escape mutants. By using virological and immunological methods, this study will show how viruses use different NS1 to enhance the viral escape mechanism.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100106
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$350,000.00
Summary
An advanced flow cytometry facility for the Peter Doherty Institute. The establishment of a flow cytometry facility in the new Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity will enhance capacity to investigate immunity to a broad range of very serious diseases. This project will support researchers studying viral and bacterial infection as well as cancer and autoimmunity.
Anti-viral Immunity And The Survival Of Cells Infected With Herpes Simplex Virus In Vivo
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$574,890.00
Summary
Herpes simplex virus causes cold sores and genital herpes. A person can only catch the virus once in their life, but it stays in their body and can cause occasional outbreaks of disease. This recurrent disease can be frequent and severe. The place where the herpes virus hides in a dormant state between outbreaks is in the nervous system. This project aims to learn more about how the virus becomes dormant and also whether the immune system is important in keeping the virus in this state.
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.
Host Metabolism And Responses Contributing To Flavivirus Replication And Pathogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$592,772.00
Summary
We aim to determine how viruses affect the cells they infect, In particular how they can alter the metabolism and balance of lipids in cells and how this impacts the bodies capability to respond immunologically. We believe that by understanding these basic principles we can target ares fr antiviral therapeutic potential.
A vaccine for hepatitis C virus (HCV) is not yet available. Immune responses that are able to protect against infection are possible, making the production of a vaccine a realistic goal. We have produced a unique HCV vaccine and are now poised to test our vaccine in novel humanised animal models. Our research will allow us to determine the immune responses responsible for providing protection against HCV. Our data will be highly significant for future HCV vaccine studies in humans.
Host-pathogen Interaction: The Battle For Supremacy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$480,014.00
Summary
This grant will provide salary support for Dr Rowena Bull. Dr Bull's research is focused on understanding the disease process between the human host and the infecting virus. The outcomes of this research will be used to find novel ways to fight viral infections with vaccines and drugs.
Identification Of Novel HCV-specific B Cell Epitopes Which Induce Broad Neutralising Antibodies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$482,480.00
Summary
This research project will study humans who have been exposed to multiple Hepatitis C virus infections. We will be examining their immune response with the aim to identify subjects with antibodies that are able to neutralise a diverse range of hepatitis C virus variants. These antibodies will be used to identify novel targets for a vaccine directed against Hepatitis C virus.