Development of an effective vaccine for chlamydial infection: optimisation of a non-toxic cholera toxin-based adjuvant to generate a protective mucosal response. Chlamydial genital infections are the most common sexually transmitted infection in Australia and the world and impose a major health burden on the community. Chlamydial infections are also associated with cardiovascular disease, Australia's biggest killer and asthma, another condition that has increased significantly in prevalence in t ....Development of an effective vaccine for chlamydial infection: optimisation of a non-toxic cholera toxin-based adjuvant to generate a protective mucosal response. Chlamydial genital infections are the most common sexually transmitted infection in Australia and the world and impose a major health burden on the community. Chlamydial infections are also associated with cardiovascular disease, Australia's biggest killer and asthma, another condition that has increased significantly in prevalence in the past 10 years. This project will evaluate the effectiveness of a new adjuvant as a first step towards the development of a vaccine to target these important infections.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220100823
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$442,482.00
Summary
Elucidating ATPase function during NLRP3 inflammasome assembly. Humans and animals are constantly exposed to microbes, which inhabit their external environment as well as body surfaces such as the skin and gut. We are, however, able to co-exist with these microbes, because our immune system protects us from these everyday encounters. This proposal will reveal how an important immune protein called NLRP3 senses microbes and other physiological processes. When NLRP3 senses such factors and is acti ....Elucidating ATPase function during NLRP3 inflammasome assembly. Humans and animals are constantly exposed to microbes, which inhabit their external environment as well as body surfaces such as the skin and gut. We are, however, able to co-exist with these microbes, because our immune system protects us from these everyday encounters. This proposal will reveal how an important immune protein called NLRP3 senses microbes and other physiological processes. When NLRP3 senses such factors and is activated, it induces the release of messenger substances to alert other immune cells. This research will deliver fundamental knowledge of how animals normally co-exist with microbes.Read moreRead less
Molecular and immunological approaches to managing Australia's seafood allergy epidemic. Seafood is an increasingly important cause of food allergy. Novel insight into the functions of why and how proteins from seafood develop to potent allergens will lead to the development of better diagnostics and therapeutics. This will assist patients to better manage their serious food allergy.
Combating invading DNA: a process conserved in evolution? Cells of our body defend against foreign genetic material, or DNA, which indicates an infection or invading DNA capable of causing mutation. These defences are so important that several layers have developed during evolution, and this project compares the responses of different organisms to foreign DNA.
The Role of RNA interference in the induction of immune responses. Our work will allow us to understand a new means by which to alert the immune system to the presence of cancer cells using a new technology called RNA interference. This will hopefully lead to new investment in biotechnology products based on RNA interference, improved treatments for cancers and better health for Australians
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989436
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$400,000.00
Summary
Multiphoton microscopy of living animals as a tool for immunology and cell biology studies. The multiphoton microscope will enable us to watch the growth, migration and interactions of cells in a living animal in response to changes in the cells' environment will give us better understanding of how we work as living machines, and what can go wrong with that process to make us unwell.
Toll-like receptors in infectious and inflammatory diseases: the double-edged sword of innate immunity. The innate immune system is the first line of defence against invading microorganisms. This project will explore the role of specific innate immune genes in the control of infections and the development of inflammatory diseases.
Foreign DNA is a danger signal for mammalian cells. This project investigates how cells normally respond to foreign DNA, and is relevant to understanding how the body fights infections, particularly by viruses. The results will help us to design more effective treatments for infectious disease. Studying responses to DNA will also promote the design of new treatments for the autoimmune disease lupus, and help improve technologies or treatments where DNA is introduced into cells or tissues. This ....Foreign DNA is a danger signal for mammalian cells. This project investigates how cells normally respond to foreign DNA, and is relevant to understanding how the body fights infections, particularly by viruses. The results will help us to design more effective treatments for infectious disease. Studying responses to DNA will also promote the design of new treatments for the autoimmune disease lupus, and help improve technologies or treatments where DNA is introduced into cells or tissues. This includes gene therapy, new strategies for vaccination, and the production of proteins as drugs by biotechnology. The project will promote National Research Priorities in the areas of preventative healthcare, ageing well ageing productively, breakthrough science and new technologies.Read moreRead less
Impaired innate antiviral immunity predisposes toward virus-associated airway remodelling in childhood asthma. Increased airway smooth muscle (ASM) mass is the major pathological feature of asthma that causes poor lung function. ASM remodelling occurs in early life, is refractory to current treatments and persists into later life. Severe respiratory virus infections in early life are a major risk factor for the development of asthma, yet it remains to be determined whether viruses promote ASM re ....Impaired innate antiviral immunity predisposes toward virus-associated airway remodelling in childhood asthma. Increased airway smooth muscle (ASM) mass is the major pathological feature of asthma that causes poor lung function. ASM remodelling occurs in early life, is refractory to current treatments and persists into later life. Severe respiratory virus infections in early life are a major risk factor for the development of asthma, yet it remains to be determined whether viruses promote ASM remodelling. Previous studies have developed a unique mouse model of childhood asthma and discovered the molecular mechanism by which this tissue tropism develops in response to virus infection. This project will identify new targets for immunomodulation and design new biologics to block ASM remodelling and the deleterious effects of respiratory virus infection in asthmatic subjects. Read moreRead less