The Role Of Clostridium Difficile Spore Surface Structures In Initiating Gastrointestinal Infection And Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$467,556.00
Summary
Hospital-acquired infections with the bacterium Clostridium difficile are a major global public health concern with more virulent isolates emerging overseas since 2000. These strains were detected in Australia in 2010 and are now spreading throughout our hospitals. This project will increase our understanding of how these strains are transmitted to susceptible hosts and why they are so harmful, which is critical for the development of better strategies for preventing and treating these infection ....Hospital-acquired infections with the bacterium Clostridium difficile are a major global public health concern with more virulent isolates emerging overseas since 2000. These strains were detected in Australia in 2010 and are now spreading throughout our hospitals. This project will increase our understanding of how these strains are transmitted to susceptible hosts and why they are so harmful, which is critical for the development of better strategies for preventing and treating these infections.Read moreRead less
The Role Of Clostridium Difficile Virulence Factors In Mediating The Host-pathogen Interactions That Lead To Gastrointestinal Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$444,351.00
Summary
Hospital-acquired infections with the bacterium Clostridium difficile are a major global public health concern with more virulent isolates emerging overseas since 2000. These strains were detected in Australia in 2010 and are now spreading throughout our hospitals. This project will increase our understanding of how these strains cause disease and why they are more harmful, which is critical for the development of improved strategies for preventing and treating these infections.
Structure And Functional Characterisation Of AB5 Toxins
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$574,890.00
Summary
The proposed research program, using a combination of structure and biochemical analyses, will provide insight into two novel AB5 toxins that represent a medically important family of proteins. This study will not only improve our fundamental understanding of AB5 toxins action but could lead to rational design of antimicrobials.
Characterisation Of Porphyromonas Gingivalis And Treponema Denticola Interactions In The Development Of A Pathogenic Biofilm
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$566,200.00
Summary
Gum disease (periodontitis) is an inflammatory disease caused by bacterial pathogens that is the major cause of tooth loss in adults. It is also associated with systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease. In this study we will determine the mechanisms by which two bacterial species work together to produce the pathogenic dental plaque that causes disease.
Harnessing The Type VI Secretion System ‘combat’ Arsenal Of A. Baumannii As A Source Of New Antimicrobials And Antimicrobial Targets
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$521,557.00
Summary
Infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria represent one of the greatest threats to human health. There is an urgent need to develop novel drugs and treatment strategies to combat infections by these drug-resistant organisms. We have shown that the bacteria A. baumannii uses a needle-like system to deliver lethal toxins into competitors. We will characterize these toxins so that we can manipulate them as weapons for controlling infections with multi-drug resistant bacteria.
Novel Therapeutic And Preventive Strategies For Clostridium Difficile Infections.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$508,556.00
Summary
The bacterium Clostridium difficile is the major cause of nosocomial diarrhoea in many countries, including Australia. More virulent isolates have recently emerged, leading to increased incidence and disease severity in many countries. This project will make a major contribution to our understanding of how these bacteria cause disease. Preventive or treatment measures based on these research findings will help to prevent or lessen the severity of any epidemics that occur in Australia.
Manipulation Of Clathrin-mediated Trafficking By Coxiella
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$667,857.00
Summary
This research will uncover how Coxiella causes the serious infectious disease Q fever by commandeering human cells and replicating to high numbers within a specialised vacuole. We will investigate virulence factors of Coxiella, learning how and why they target an essential human vesicular trafficking process. Our innovative approach and unique expertise will elucidate interaction between this pathogen and the human cell, providing fundamental knowledge towards public health outcomes.
Legionella bacteria are the major cause of Legionnaire’s Disease, a common form of acute pneumonia. Here we will study how the bacteria avoid killing in human cells by establishing an intracellular niche that is sequestered from the normal host cell defence pathways. In particular we hope to understand how the bacteria regulate a major protein modification pathway called ubiquitination.
How Are Klebsiella Pneumoniae Infections Acquired In Hospital?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$496,228.00
Summary
Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp) bacteria are among the top causes of hospital infections and are often resistant to a wide range of antibiotics. While some hospital bugs are well-studied, we are considerably behind in our understanding of Kp, which can be carried in our bodies as a commensal without causing disease. Bacterial genomics will be used to dissect how Kp infections are acquired in hospital, including investigating the evidence for hospital transmission and the role of commensal carriage in ....Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp) bacteria are among the top causes of hospital infections and are often resistant to a wide range of antibiotics. While some hospital bugs are well-studied, we are considerably behind in our understanding of Kp, which can be carried in our bodies as a commensal without causing disease. Bacterial genomics will be used to dissect how Kp infections are acquired in hospital, including investigating the evidence for hospital transmission and the role of commensal carriage in causing serious hospital infections.Read moreRead less
Interferon Mediated Control Of Legionella Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$628,848.00
Summary
Bacterial lung infections are a serious cause of illness and death in humans. To fight infection the body activates the immune system using a network of signalling molecules. We are studying exactly how one of these signalling molecules called interferon controls the infection. Interferon induces the killing of bacteria that are replicating inside human lung cells. How interferon drives bacterial death is not known and this will be studied in this proposal.