Double Stranded RNA - The Common Pathogenic Agent In Expanded Repeat Genetically Inherited Neurodegenerative Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$605,096.00
Summary
At least twenty human genetic diseases are due to the expansion of existing repeat sequences beyond a common threshold copy number. While many of these diseases have a common mutation mechanism and share many clinical features the molecular steps critical to their pathogenesis are not yet understood. This project will test the hypothesis that expanded repeat containing RNA, specifically in its double-stranded form, is a common pathogenic agent in many of these diseases.
Systems-level Characterisation And Therapeutic Targeting Of Small RNAs In Acinetobacter Baumannii Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$581,990.00
Summary
This proposal aims to understand how a superbug that causes severe infections in hospitalised patients worldwide and is known to be resistant to almost all available antibiotics, causes disease. We then plan on using this information to guide the development of a new type of therapy to treat this severe infection.
Defining The Role Of MiR-146a In Human Hendra Virus Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$348,998.00
Summary
This project aims to improve the medical management of people infected with Hendra virus by defining potential therapeutic windows for treatment with antiviral strategies. The project involves the study of microRNAs, a class of small ribonucleic acid molecules that regulate biological processes in eukaryotes. We will determine the role of microRNAs in the Hendra virus infection process in humans, and their application as diagnostic markers of Hendra virus infection.
The Role Of Noncoding Subgenomic Flavivirus RNA In Virus-host Interactions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$624,429.00
Summary
Flaviviruses such as Dengue, Japanese encephalitis , and West Nile are major human pathogens causing more than 50 million infections per year. Elements in viral genome responsible for pathogenesis of these viruses are not well defined. Recently we have identified a unique for these viruses noncoding subgenomic flavivirus RNA (sfRNA) and showed that it is contributing to viral pathogenesis. In this proposal we aim to determine mechanisms by which sfRNA facilitates viral pathogenesis.
RNA-based Expanded Repeat Pathogenic Pathway In Neurodegenerative Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$595,153.00
Summary
Many important human genetic diseases (incl Huntington’s Disease) are due to a common mutation mechanism with some similarities in clinical outcome (late in life nerve cell loss). For these diseases it is still not known what mechanism is responsible for causing the disease. This is essential in order to delay onset, slow progression or effect cure. We will test a mechanism for disease pathology that we have identified in a simple model organism and seen evidence of its activity in human disease
This project investigates the way in which viruses are able to use host cell machinery to make viral proteins and to replicate their own genetic material. We focus on the picornavirus family that cause illnesses with important health and economic consequences including serious heart infections such as myocarditis and pericarditis as well as the "common cold". This research we will reveal new possible avenues of antiviral development.
Rhinovirus Protease Subcellular Trafficking And Host Cell Targets; Relevance To Asthma Exacerbation And Vaccine Approaches
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$582,072.00
Summary
Rhinovirus (RV) infections are the major cause of virus induced asthma attacks, causing significant morbidity and mortality. Asthma & asthma exacerbations are increasing worldwide with new strategies urgently needed to reduce RV-associated disease. We aim to build on our substantive new data, using cutting edge technology to identify new targets for novel asthma therapies.