An Investigation Into Chromatin Dynamics In Host-pathogen Interactions And Fungal Virulence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$700,585.00
Summary
Fungal infections represent a major health burden, with loss of lives that parallels malaria. Only a handful of antifungal therapeutics is available, and mortality remains very high (30% or more). By using molecular biology approaches and animal infection models, this project aims to characterize a new class of promising antifungal drug targets in the major human fungal pathogen Candida albicans. The outcomes will provide the knowledge foundation for future antifungal drug discovery.
An Investigation Into Mitochondrial Dynamics In The Human Pathogen Candida Albicans
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$581,966.00
Summary
Our goal is to find new therapies to treat infections with Candida albicans, a major human pathogen that causes highly fatal hospital-associated disease. We have identified the mitochondrion, the cellular powerhouse, as a promising target for the development of new anti-candida drugs. We will use innovative imaging and molecular approaches, together with experimental animal infection models to understand how mitochondria could be inhibited to treat life-threatening infections with Candida.
An Investigation Into Pathogen-specific Factors Required For Drug-resistance And Viability Of Candida Albicans
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$337,614.00
Summary
We identified proteins required for growth and drug resistance of the fungus Candida albicans, a major hospital-acquired human pathogen. Candida infections target the immunocompromised and mortality is huge (?30-50%). We will use cell biology, genetics and biochemistry to characterise these proteins. Importantly, these factors are present in fungi, but absent from humans. Therefore our study will help development of new strategies for antifungal treatments.
Fungal Determinants And Host Cell Death Signals In Fatal Candida Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$654,091.00
Summary
Fungal pathogens are a major burden in hospital settings as they evade the immune system and cause lethal sepsis. This project will determine the molecular factors utilized by the fungal pathogen Candida to kill host immune cells. We will investigate whether immune cell death contributes to the high fatality rate, commonly associated with systemic Candida infections, and whether this can be targeted by novel therapeutics.
Mechanisms Of Disease Caused By Hospital-acquired Pathogens
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$465,218.00
Summary
We are currently experiencing unprecedented levels of antibiotic resistance in human pathogens. Unfortunately, the drug development pipeline is drying up, with almost no novel therapeutic options expected in the near future. This proposal aims to identify the mechanisms by which the most important antibiotic-resistant human pathogens make us sick. The expected outcomes are the identification of new targets that may be amenable to future drug development. These targets are aimed at making the org ....We are currently experiencing unprecedented levels of antibiotic resistance in human pathogens. Unfortunately, the drug development pipeline is drying up, with almost no novel therapeutic options expected in the near future. This proposal aims to identify the mechanisms by which the most important antibiotic-resistant human pathogens make us sick. The expected outcomes are the identification of new targets that may be amenable to future drug development. These targets are aimed at making the organisms less capable of causing disease in humans.Read moreRead less