Population-level Epidemiological Trends In Hepatocellular Carcinoma In Queensland 1996 - 2010.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$251,695.00
Summary
Incidence and mortality of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, the most common form of liver cancer) is increasing in Australia, driven by viral hepatitis infections. Disease burden is not defined in Queensland, particularly for Indigenous, migrant and regional and remote communities. Such factors may influence risk of viral hepatitis, access to treatment, and incidence and survival of HCC. Defining disease burdens will enable clinical programs targeted at groups most at risk in order to impact HCC t ....Incidence and mortality of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, the most common form of liver cancer) is increasing in Australia, driven by viral hepatitis infections. Disease burden is not defined in Queensland, particularly for Indigenous, migrant and regional and remote communities. Such factors may influence risk of viral hepatitis, access to treatment, and incidence and survival of HCC. Defining disease burdens will enable clinical programs targeted at groups most at risk in order to impact HCC trends.Read moreRead less
Regulation Of Secretion Of The Fungal Virulence Determinant, Phospholipase B
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$487,500.00
Summary
Serious systemic infections due to fungi have increased dramatically in the past few years, especially in people with poorly functioning immune systems. Treatment of these conditions is problematic because the few drugs which are available are not highly effective, and-or cause significant side-effects. Little is understood of how fungi cause disease, and this problem must be addressed if these infections are to be contained. We have discovered that the enzyme, phospholipase B (PLB), is secreted ....Serious systemic infections due to fungi have increased dramatically in the past few years, especially in people with poorly functioning immune systems. Treatment of these conditions is problematic because the few drugs which are available are not highly effective, and-or cause significant side-effects. Little is understood of how fungi cause disease, and this problem must be addressed if these infections are to be contained. We have discovered that the enzyme, phospholipase B (PLB), is secreted by the disease-causing fungus, Cryptococcus neoformans, and that it is important in enabling the fungus to invade the host's cells and spread around the body from the lungs to the brain, where it can cause meningoencephalitis. PLB is also produced by other disease-causing fungi. The mechanism of PLB secretion is completely unknown. In this project we aim to determine the pathways involved in PLB secretion with the intention of exploiting steps unique to pathogenic fungi, for the future design of new anti-fungal drugs.Read moreRead less
HIV Assembly, Transport, Egress And Transfer From Infected Dendritic Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$511,629.00
Summary
HIV-AIDS is the fourth leading killing disease worldwide, with the disease burden shifting towards women. Study of the HIV life cycle in cells known to be targetted during HIV transmission is key towards designing additional preventative measures in the form of topical gels known as microbicides. Mapping of the basic pathways of viral transport within such cells, will aid further drug discovery and-or appropriateness of use of existing drugs in microbicide formulations.
Invasive fungal infections are a serious, escalating health issue. They cause severe disease with high death rates and are very costly to the health system. Current drugs often have suboptimal efficacy and cause side effects. New drugs are needed urgently. Many fungi, including the AIDS-related pathogen, Cryptococcus neoformans, secrete phospholipase B (Plbp) to facilitate infection. We will identify and investigate the Plbp secretion pathway as a novel anti-fungal drug target.