Integrated Bacterial Genomics And Virulence Analysis Of Uropathogenic Streptococcus Agalactiae
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$747,457.00
Summary
Urinary tract infections (UTI), which start as a bladder infection and often evolve to encompass the kidneys, are among the most common infectious diseases in humans. Streptococcus agalactiae is an important cause of gram-positive bacterial UTI. We will study the genomes and functions of specific genes in reference strains of this bacterium isolated from patients with different forms of infection to elucidate how bacterial genes and virulence factors contribute to these types of infections.
Characterizing The Molecular Mechanisms Of Clinically Important Bacterial-fungal Interactions; The Potential To Uncover Novel Therapeutic Targets
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$480,492.00
Summary
In hospitals and in nature, diverse microbes, such as bacteria and fungi, often live in close proximity to each other. Their interactions can either be helpful or detrimental to one another, and such interactions are likely important for their ability to cause human disease. This proposal aims to study the mechanisms by which bacteria interact with fungi and by doing so, will identify important mechanisms of how microbes cause human illness and also uncover new targets for antibiotic development ....In hospitals and in nature, diverse microbes, such as bacteria and fungi, often live in close proximity to each other. Their interactions can either be helpful or detrimental to one another, and such interactions are likely important for their ability to cause human disease. This proposal aims to study the mechanisms by which bacteria interact with fungi and by doing so, will identify important mechanisms of how microbes cause human illness and also uncover new targets for antibiotic development.Read moreRead less
The Role Of Clostridium Difficile Spore Interactions With The Host In Gastrointestinal Infection And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$511,467.00
Summary
Hospital-acquired infections with the bacterium Clostridium difficile are a major global public health concern with highly virulent isolates emerging overseas in 2002 and in Australia in 2010. These have spread through our hospitals and are also found in the community. This project will increase our understanding of how these strains cause severe gut disease, which is critical for the development of improved strategies for preventing and treating these infections and reducing antibiotic use.
The Impact Of Clostridium Difficile Infection And The Host Immune Response On Colonic Homeostasis And Regeneration.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$932,212.00
Summary
Hospital-acquired infections with the bacterium Clostridium difficile are a major global public health concern with highly virulent isolates emerging overseas in 2002 and in Australia in 2010. These have spread through our hospitals and are also found in the community. This project will increase our understanding of how these strains cause severe gut disease, which is critical for the development of improved strategies for preventing and treating these infections and reducing antibiotic use.
Expression And Secretion Of Large Clostridial Toxins From The Pathogenic Clostridia.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$332,258.00
Summary
The large clostridial toxins are an important family of bacterial virulence factors that includes toxins from many disease-causing clostridial species. Despite their impact on public health, pathogenesis of disease caused by these bacteria is poorly understood. We will analyse how these bacteria regulate the production and secretion of the large toxins, which will give us a better understanding of the mechanisms of disease causation as well as identifying novel common therapeutic targets.
Is Mycobacterium Ulcerans A Zoonotic Agent Spread By Mosquitoes?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$335,853.00
Summary
Last year record numbers of a mysterious flesh-eating bacterial disease called Buruli ulcer were reported in Australia. Wild animals such as possums and rats harbour the bacteria in their guts but we don't know how the disease is transmitted to humans. In this project we will work out how the bacteria survives in the guts of animals and how people contract Buruli ulcer. With this information we can stop the spread of this debilitating disease.
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
Evolution And Pathogenicity Of NDM-1 Positive Escherichia Coli
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$643,275.00
Summary
Antibiotic resistance (AR), as highlighted by the WHO, is the most pressing medical need of the 21C – some infections are now untreatable. Our research will focus on the new "superbug" NDM-1 positive E. coli. We will correlate AR and pathogenicity and explore the evolution of these "superbugs" using state-of-the-art sequencing. This research will benefit Australian medicine by predicting timelines of AR epidemics and by conducting the first analyses on the virulence potential of these strains.
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.
This project uses latest genomic technologies to advance our understanding of how bacteria cause disease and finding new antibiotics/approaches to stop the spread of multi-drug resistant hospital superbugs.