Argonaute Proteins In The Mammalian Antiviral Response
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Summary
Viruses are the most abundant infectious agents on earth, and the diseases caused by them are a constant threat and cause of mortality worldwide. Awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 2006, RNA interference (RNAi) is a natural process that plants use to attack viruses. Humans possess all of the tools for RNAi, but whether it is used for antiviral defense is unknown. This study aims to uncover this immune process which will open new avenues to treat virus infections, such as influenza and HIV.
PB1-F2 Is Critical To Influenza A Virus Pathogenicity Through Activation Of The Inflammasome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$663,919.00
Summary
Fatal Influenza A virus infections are excessive inflammation. We identified the IAV protein PB1-F2 as critical in driving excessive inflammation via activating the host inflammasome complex. Our study evaluates PB1-F2-mediated inflammation contribution to inflammatory responses. Identifying PB1-F2 in emerging IAV strains is invaluable in aiding health policy makers to quickly assess fatal IAV pandemics. Our research will potentially identify treatment targets towards reducing this inflammation
Investigating The Roles Of Non-coding RNAs In Inflammatory Signalling And Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,768.00
Summary
Inflammation occurs as part of the body's natural defenses against infection or injury, but can be damaging when unregulated and can lead to cancer. Although the protein factors critical for inflammation have been carefully studied it remains unknown how ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecules can modify and regulate inflammation. This project will identify RNA molecules that control inflammatory signalling, and further translate these findings to show they contribute to the progression of cancer.
Investigating The Role Of Mucosal Associated Invariant T (MAIT) Cells In Mycobacterium Tuberculosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$122,566.00
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) is a deadly infectious disease that kills 2 million people per year worldwide. If we are to eliminate this disease, we urgently need a new TB vaccine. I plan to look at what role a newly discovered type of T cell might play in TB infection and to see whether these cells can be manipulated by vaccination. This work will help us to understand more about the body’s first response to TB infection and how we can use this response in the design of new TB vaccines.
The Dual-edged Sword Of Zinc As An Innate Immune Antimicrobial Weapon Against Uropathogenic E. Coli
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$784,428.00
Summary
Infectious diseases are a major global health threat, and urinary tract infections (UTI) are one of the most common infectious diseases. Most UTI are caused by uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC). In order to cause infections, UPEC must be able to overcome our body’s first line of defence, the innate immune system. This project seeks to understand how our innate immune system uses zinc to combat bacterial infections, and how UPEC is able to defend against such responses in order to cause disease.
The Role Of A Novel Cytokine Of The Innate Immune Response In Viral Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$344,407.00
Summary
Sexually transmitted infections represent a critical global health and socioeconomic problem with over 1 billion new cases per annum. I propose a world-first description of a new protein that has a protective role against herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection of female reproductive tract. This unique protein, called interferon epsilon, was discovered in our laboratory. This project will facilitate development of new therapeutic approaches of benefit in HSV-2 infection.
Recognition And Interaction Of Virus By The Innate Immune System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$307,946.00
Summary
The innate immune system acts rapidly to limit infection of invading pathogens. The interaction and recognition of pathogens such as viruses by the innate immune system, is of importance to understand why particular pathogens induce disease.