Dissecting The Molecular Basis For Cell Movement And Midgut Colonisation In The Insect Stage Parasite - The Ookinete
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$48,365.00
Summary
Malaria parasites are a leading cause of infant mortality. Despite their global impact, no vaccine exists to prevent malaria disease and resistance to current drugs is prevalent. Cell movement is an essential process for parasite development yet its potential as a drug target remains unexplored. I seek to shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying movement, focused on the motile insect stages. Understanding gained here will support the broader goal to identify targets for transmission-blo ....Malaria parasites are a leading cause of infant mortality. Despite their global impact, no vaccine exists to prevent malaria disease and resistance to current drugs is prevalent. Cell movement is an essential process for parasite development yet its potential as a drug target remains unexplored. I seek to shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying movement, focused on the motile insect stages. Understanding gained here will support the broader goal to identify targets for transmission-blocking development.Read moreRead less
Sexually Transmitted Infections(STIs) And Co Transmission Of HIV In Men Who Have Sex With Men. The Presence Of STIs In The Rectum And Its Effect On HIV Viral Load Independent Of Anti-retroviral Treatment In HIV
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$137,721.00
Summary
I am a trainee sexual health physician with a special interest in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and how it influences HIV transmission between men who have sex with men(MSM). I intend to achieve this by conducting research to help better define the causes of rectal STIs in MSM and what can be done to detect and treat them early. This will hopefully lead to a decrease in HIV transmission in a group who are at higher risk for STI/HIV infections and hence improve their overall health.
Tuberculosis In The Asia-Pacific: Identification And Comparison Of Transmission Hot Spots
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$120,253.00
Summary
The Asia-Pacific is home to 60% of the global burden of tuberculosis and an increasing proportion of Australia's immigrant population. Although most targets relating to this disease are likely to be achieved, patterns of tuberculosis transmission in the Asia-Pacific are not fully understood and the possibility of regional hotspots exists. We aim to use mathematical techniques to examine the way in which tuberculosis is transmitted from person to person in populations within our region.
The Molecular Epidemiology Of Malaria Transmission In The Solomon Islands
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$69,098.00
Summary
The recent dramatic reduction in malaria burden has prompted a shift from control to elimination and aims to interrupt malaria transmission itself. Achieving this requires the development of set tools that directly target transmission. Little is known about the epidemiology of malaria transmission in the SW Pacific. The goal of this PhD project is to determine the dynamics of malaria transmission in Solomon Islands using a combination of large epidemiological studies and novel molecular assays.
The transmission of malaria is dependent on gametocytes, the sexual stages of parasite development that are taken up by mosquitoes when feeding on an infected person. While gametocytes are not responsible for disease symptoms, it is clear that malaria eradication is not be possible without an understanding of their biology and the tools to prevent transmission. My research focuses on understanding the biology of gametocytes and identifying new drug targets for transmission blocking strategies.
Disease Burden, Risk Factors And Treatment Of Knowlesi Malaria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$95,564.00
Summary
Plasmodium knowlesi is a form of monkey malaria recently found to also cause increasing numbers of natural infections in humans in South-East Asia. This research will describe the burden of P. knowlesi malaria in an area of Malaysian Borneo. The risk factors for acquiring P. knowlesi malaria will be assessed. Finally the optimal treatment for non-severe cases of P. knowlesi and P. vivax malaria will also be evaluated by comparing the 2 currently recommended anti-malarial medications in Malaysia.
Identification And Chracterization Of Host Cell Receptors For Influenza A Viruses
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$92,314.00
Summary
Following inhalation, influenza virus infects cells of the immune system and epithelial cells lining the airways. Currently, it is not clear how influenza virus attaches to and infects these cells. This project will use new ways to identify receptors for influenza virus on human epithelial cells and immune cells. The ultimate identification of these receptors would have important implications for the development of new drugs to treat influenza virus infections.