Modelling The Interaction Between Sexually Transmitted Infections And HIV Transmission To Inform Public Health Policy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$543,624.00
Summary
Other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) increase the risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV. Using mathematical models the population level effects of this increased risk will be investigated. This work will inform the design of effective and efficient STI treatment programs that aim to reduce the number of HIV infections in Australian gay men, prevent HIV epidemics in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities, and slow the growth of HIV in Papua New Guinea.
Molecular Studies Of The Astrocyte Reservoir Of HIV-1 In The Central Nervous System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$592,661.00
Summary
HIV infects the brain causing dementia in 10-20% patients. Strategies aimed at eradicating HIV infection fail to take into account CNS infection. Understanding the way in which HIV enters, infects and replicates in the brain is pivotal in development of drugs to prevent brain infection and dementia. Our studies have shown that HIV infection of the brain involves mechanisms distinct to those observed for blood and other organs. This study seeks to clarify such mechanisms.
Cell Type Specific Biologic Responses To HIV Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$636,242.00
Summary
The way in which HIV alters the internal environment of its target cells to facilitate its growth will be examined. These changes enhance its ability to gain a toehold in the human body after entering the genital tract and its persistence for life in the brain and elsewhere in the body.
The effect of multisensory and sensory-motor training on auditory accommodation. Learning to use a hearing aid or cochlear implant requires the brain to make adaptive changes to the new type of sensory information provided to the ears. This project examines what drives this accommodation and how we may accelerate the process and maximise its benefits by training so that listeners are able to make better use of these devices.
Interactions Between HIV And Mycobacterial Infections Of Macrophages Mediated By Changes In Gene Expression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$119,625.00
Summary
HIV-AIDS and tuberculosis are two of the worlds most important diseases. HIV-AIDS is the fourth leading killing disease worldwide and tuberculosis is the leading opportunistic infection in patients with AIDS particularly in the developing world. Both microbes infect the same cell type, the macrophage, which is widely distributed throughout the body, particularly in lymph nodes and lung. Recent studies in humans have shown that HIV and TB like organisms stimulate each others growth. This study us ....HIV-AIDS and tuberculosis are two of the worlds most important diseases. HIV-AIDS is the fourth leading killing disease worldwide and tuberculosis is the leading opportunistic infection in patients with AIDS particularly in the developing world. Both microbes infect the same cell type, the macrophage, which is widely distributed throughout the body, particularly in lymph nodes and lung. Recent studies in humans have shown that HIV and TB like organisms stimulate each others growth. This study uses the immense power of DNA microarrays, based on the identification of almost all genes by the human genome project, to decipher the interactions between the two microbes. By following up new leads indicated by the microarrays, the way in which the microbes manipulate the macrophage to enhance their own growth and that of the other can be eventually deciphered. This will provide new strategies for future interventions. New drugs are urgently needed for both microbes.Read moreRead less
Estimating And Alleviating The Impacts Of Age-Related Sensory Decline
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$323,767.00
Summary
Sensory loss and dementia disproportionately affect older adults, often co-occur, and are the two leading contributors to disability burden among older Australians. This research will investigate the consequences that hearing and vision loss have for older adult health and wellbeing, informing strategies to reduce the disability burden of age-related sensory loss. These impacts include cognitive decline and dementia, mental health, quality of life, disability and independent living.
Pathogenesis Of Persistent Human Virus Infections Of Global Significance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$6,571,328.00
Summary
The study will investigate why humans cannot eradicate particular viruses (HIV-AIDS, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus), the long term effects of these viruses and ways to improve control. Current treatments can only partly suppress the levels of these viruses, because they persist in certain parts of the body called reservoirs, only to resurge later causing disease. Thus, the overall aim of the research program is to discover the mechanisms by which these viruses are able to successfully ....The study will investigate why humans cannot eradicate particular viruses (HIV-AIDS, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus), the long term effects of these viruses and ways to improve control. Current treatments can only partly suppress the levels of these viruses, because they persist in certain parts of the body called reservoirs, only to resurge later causing disease. Thus, the overall aim of the research program is to discover the mechanisms by which these viruses are able to successfully persist within reservoirs in the human body. The research program brings together a group of 6 leading scientists and clinicians located at 3 sites in 2 Australian cities. The team is comprised of experts in the study of HIV-AIDS, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus who will combine their knowledge and expertise to speed up the process of research on these viruses that are of major health importance. Studies will also utilise a number of cutting edge technologies that now make it possible to much more rapidly and precisely determine how viruses cause disease. Advances in our understanding of how viruses persist may form the basis for treatments aimed at controlling persistent infections and the serious diseases caused by these viruses.Read moreRead less
The Role Of Chemokines In Establishing HIV Latency
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,049.00
Summary
Although antiviral therapy is effective in controlling HIV, therapy must be continued life-long because the virus cannot be cleared from long lived infected CD4+ T cells that are silently or latently infected. In this proposal we will explore the mechanism of how HIV can enter these resting CD4+ T-cells and establish long lived latent infection. Understanding this process may potentially lead to new strategies to cure HIV infection.
Identifying the basis for perceptual stability and perceptual omission during saccadic eye movements. The ability to explore the world via eye movements is an important feature of visual capabilities. This project will establish how the brain maintains the perception of a stable and stationary world despite the several eye movements made each second. This knowledge will fill a conspicuous gap in the understanding of the human visual system.