Molecular Analysis Of Endocarditis Causing Strains Of Staphylococcus Aureus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$110,960.00
Summary
"Staphylococcus aureus" or "Golden Staph” is one of the principal causes of infective endocarditis, the infection of the endocardial surfaces of the heart and heart valves that may result in valvular insufficiency and eventual heart failure. This work will define the molecular mechanisms that allow S. aureus to survive and persist on endocardial surfaces. Such insight may lead to new future treatment regimes for infective endocarditis.
Establishing The Use Of Bacterial Genomics In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$157,669.00
Summary
We propose to establish a set of fully assembled reference genomes through new technologies and methods to analyse data from high throughput genome sequencing of important bacterial pathogens in Australia. We aim to demonstrate the capabilities of genome sequencing in clinical situations by comparing the genomes from clinical bacterial isolates to the established and annotated reference genomes.
Optimising Management Of Injection-related Infections In People Who Inject Drugs
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$132,743.00
Summary
People who inject drugs are a vulnerable group who are at increased risk of bacterial infections, which can lead to serious illness and death. This project aims to optimize management of bacterial infections in people who inject drugs. Measuring the current burden of infections, analysing different management strategies employed in hospitals and discussing attitudes and barriers to care with both healthcare workers and people who inject drugs will provide the evidence to optimize ongoing care.
Investigating The Role Of Mucosal Associated Invariant T (MAIT) Cells In Mycobacterium Tuberculosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$122,566.00
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) is a deadly infectious disease that kills 2 million people per year worldwide. If we are to eliminate this disease, we urgently need a new TB vaccine. I plan to look at what role a newly discovered type of T cell might play in TB infection and to see whether these cells can be manipulated by vaccination. This work will help us to understand more about the body’s first response to TB infection and how we can use this response in the design of new TB vaccines.
Factors That Influence Disease Severity In Tuberculosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$149,076.00
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) is a major global health problem and is one of the leading causes of death from an infectious disease worldwide. The severity of disease that occurs with TB is dependent on many complex factors including the infected person’s immune system and factors related to the TB organism itself. This research will determine the key factors that cause severe disease in TB which will translate into improved care of TB patients and enhance further research in this field.
The Role Of Paramyxovirus P Protein Subcellular Trafficking In Virus Pathogenicity And Antagonism Of Host Interferon Responses
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$78,491.00
Summary
Emerging zoonotic viruses pose a major health threat worldwide, highlighted by recent outbreaks of viruses such as Nipah and Hendra via interspecies invasion to infect humans. A major barrier to interspecies infection is the innate immune response, which viruses must evolve to combat before successful infection can occur. We aim to examine in detail the mechanisms underlying immune evasion of such viruses, with the ultimate goal of discovering novel targets for therapeutics to viral infection.
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.
Clinical And Microbiological Predictors Of Post-operative Crohn's Disease Recurrence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$120,253.00
Summary
The multi-centre randomised controlled POCER (Post-Operative Crohn’s Disease Recurrence) trial has shown that following “curative” surgery, the anti-tumour necrosis factor drug adalimumab prevents recurrent disease in almost all patients. I will examine the multiple factors that contribute to disease recurrence including assessment of mucosal microbiota, faecal biomarkers and serological antibody markers in patients with Crohn's disease. Results will improve clinical outcomes and change internat ....The multi-centre randomised controlled POCER (Post-Operative Crohn’s Disease Recurrence) trial has shown that following “curative” surgery, the anti-tumour necrosis factor drug adalimumab prevents recurrent disease in almost all patients. I will examine the multiple factors that contribute to disease recurrence including assessment of mucosal microbiota, faecal biomarkers and serological antibody markers in patients with Crohn's disease. Results will improve clinical outcomes and change international practice.Read moreRead less