Activation Of The Respiratory Syncytial Virus Fusion Protein
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$582,072.00
Summary
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is the most important viral cause of respiratory tract disease in both infants and the elderly. However, there are few available options for control, whether by vaccination or therapeutic intervention. This proposal investigates the way RSV infects cells. A clearer understanding of the molecular basis of this process should provide potential targets for new drugs that can block this process and new insights for the generation of vaccine candidates.
Roles Of The Hepatitis C Virus Glycoprotein E2 Variable Regions In Virus Entry, Immunogenicity And Immune Evasion.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$682,820.00
Summary
Hepatitis C Virus infects 200 million people world-wide with over 200,000 Australians infected with the disease. This project will examine how the surface proteins of HCV change their shape to evade antibody responses and how this effects the outcome of infection. We will further characterize a vaccine that elicits protective immunity to HCV to identify the optimal formulation for clinical trials.
Enhanced Expression Of The Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigen, EBNA1, As A Target For T-cell-Based Immunotherapy For Prevention Of Viral-Associated Diseases.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$356,513.00
Summary
Epstein-Barr virus, (EBV) is a human herpesvirus associated with a range of human cancers. EBNA1, an important EBV antigen, was thought to be “immunologically silent” however, recent studies from our laboratory show that EBNA1 is recognized by our body's defence system and these observations raise the possibility that EBNA1 may be an exploitable, immuno-therapy target for treating EBV-associated cancers.