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Helminth Secreted Proteins – From Anthelmintic Vaccines To Therapies For Autoimmunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$739,893.00
Summary
Human helminths (worms) cause chronic disease in developing countries, yet their disappearance from developed countries has been accompanied by an increase in the prevalence of autoimmune and allergic diseases. My resesarch focuses on the proteins these worms secrete and their use in (1) the development of anthelmintic vaccines, and (2) the development of novel anti-inflammatory molecules to treat autoimmunity, particularly diseases affecting the gut.
Interactions Between Excretory-secretory Proteins Of The Carcinogenic Liver Fluke And Host Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$489,122.00
Summary
Throughout East Asia, there is a strikingly high prevalence of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA - cancer of the bile ducts) in regions where the human liver fluke is endemic. How the parasite casues cancer is multi-factorial, but one suspected mechanism is via the secretion of parasite proteins that enter bile duct cells and cause them to proliferate. We aim to understand this process and ultimately develop new control strategies to reduce the prevalence or the infection and CCA.
Elimination Of Zoonotic Schistosomiasis And Echinococcosis Through Integrated Morbidity Control
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$898,008.00
Summary
I am a parasitologist researching the biology, immunology and epidemiology of human parasitic worms, particularly the schistosome bloodflukes and the hydatid tapeworms, which cause bilharzia and hydatidosis, diseases of the world’s poorest people that cause both major suffering and economic loss. My goal is to develop new methods, including vaccination, to control and eventually eliminate these parasites.
Immunological Prevention Of Cysticercosis And Hydatid Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$510,000.00
Summary
Cysticercosis and hydatid disease are caused by infections with the larval stages of tapeworm parasites. These infections cause substantial morbidity and mortality throughout the world, but particularly in developing countries. They are zoonotic diseases, being transmitted to humans from animals. This project aims to develop practical vaccines to assist with the prevention of both cysticercosis and hydatid disease in humans. The vaccines will be used in the parasites' natural animal hosts, there ....Cysticercosis and hydatid disease are caused by infections with the larval stages of tapeworm parasites. These infections cause substantial morbidity and mortality throughout the world, but particularly in developing countries. They are zoonotic diseases, being transmitted to humans from animals. This project aims to develop practical vaccines to assist with the prevention of both cysticercosis and hydatid disease in humans. The vaccines will be used in the parasites' natural animal hosts, thereby breaking the parasite life-cycle and preventing the diseases being passed to humans. Substantial preliminary research has been undertaken by the applicant, including completion of successful preliminary vaccine trials. This project will optimise the vaccines and complete initial field trials in countries with high rates of disease transmission.Read moreRead less
Impact Of The Three Gorges Dam On Transmission And Future Control Of Human Schistosomiasis In China
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,420,135.00
Summary
A million Chinese have schistosomiasis or snail fever. When the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River is fully operational, considerable environmental-ecological changes will result, increasing spread of this parasitic disease. In a unique study we will assess the impact of the Dam on schistosomiasis, and test and model a series of options for its control. The findings will be important for China and other areas where schistosomiasis occurs and where similar dams are planned or are under way.
Immunological Prevention Of Cysticercosis And Hydatid Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$802,685.00
Summary
Professor Lightowlers’ has developed the world’s most effective vaccines against diseases caused by parasites. The vaccines prevent transmission of parasites from livestock animals to humans. During the next 5 years the vaccines will be produced on a large scale and evaluated in field trials. The products of this research program will make a major contribution to reducing the number of people suffering from parasitic cysts.
Helminth Secretomes: From Vaccines To Novel Anti-inflammatory Biologics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$938,910.00
Summary
Billions of people in developing countries are infected with parasitic worms, but they have been eradicated from industrialised nations. Humans co-evolved with worms, so their recent removal has deprived us of signals required to keep inflammation in check. My research focuses on worm molecules that can be used to (1) develop vaccines to combat these parasitic infections in developing countries, and (2) as a novel platform of anti-inflammatory therapeutics for use in industrialised nations.
Unravelling The Tetraspanin Web In The Schistosome Tegument.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$309,537.00
Summary
Infection with the human blood fluke, Schistosoma mansoni, is a major human ailment affecting almost 200 million people world wide and causing approximately 200 000 deaths per year. Current control efforts rely on anthelminthic drugs but, to sustain their effects, they must be applied for an indefinite period of time due to reinfection. This project will extend recent efforts to develop a vaccine for this organism and decrease the public health burden and mortality associated with infection.