A Universal Prophylactic Vaccine For Hepatitis C Virus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$643,337.00
Summary
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infects 200 million people world wide. An effective vaccine to prevent HCV is urgently needed but must afford protection against the 7 diverse genotypes. In this project grant we aim to further define the quality of the immune response that is generated by a novel HCV vaccine candidate that generates pan-genotypic immunity, its unique structural features, and methods of manufacturing so that it can be tested in a future phase I human clinical trial.
Viral Targeting Of STAT Proteins: Roles In Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$536,985.00
Summary
The capacity of viruses to evade the host immune response is critical to the development of disease. We recently showed that interaction of specific viral proteins with host immune proteins called STATs is vital to lethal disease caused by lyssaviruses. In this project, we aim to define in detail the functions of these interactions in viral modification of host biology and evasion of the immune response, and to use this information to develop new vaccines against highly pathogenic human viruses.
The Role Of Capsid Protein Nucleolar Localisation In Chikungunya Virus: Implications For Vaccine Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$520,520.00
Summary
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a globally widespread mosquito-borne alphavirus capable of causing considerable human morbidity and mortality. With no CHIKV vaccine or antiviral available this proposal aims to develop a live attenuated CHIKV vaccine, rationally designed by investigating the host cell nucleolar trafficking of CHIKV capsid protein. This vaccine has the potential to provide cross-protection against additional arthritogenic alphaviruses endemic to Australia such as Ross River virus.
A Longitudinal Study Of Natural Killer Cell Function In HIV-infected Individuals Initiating Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$620,176.00
Summary
HIV infected people no longer die from AIDS but suffer and die from non-AIDS conditions such as non-AIDS related cancers. We have discovered persistent abnormalities in natural killer cells in HIV patients receiving antiretroviral therapy. These cells help prevent the development of and control cancers so understanding why they are abnormal in HIV patients will help prevent early death from non-AIDS cancers.
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.
We will construct different genetically engineered viruses, which infect cells in the respiratory tract, to deliver genes encoding proteins from human immunodeficiency virus (the AIDS virus). These engineered viruses can be expected to generate an active immune response in mucosal tissues, including the vaginal and rectal tracts. As these are the major routes for transmission of the AIDS virus, these new vaccines are expected to reduce transmission of the AIDS virus.