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.
Some of the world's most important diseases, including important diseases of indigenous chilren and the hospitalised elderly are caused by bacteria that carry a surface coating called a capsule. It is not clear how this capsule is retained by bacteria. Resolution of this question could lead to the development of new disinfectants that will stop hospital-acquired infections, to new reagents that can be incoporated into medical devices where bacteria frequently grow, and new antibiotics.
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.
Structural And Functional Analysis Of Glucosyltransferases (Gtr) Involved In O-antigen Modification Of Shigella Flexneri
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$340,976.00
Summary
Shigellosis caused by Shigella flexneri is a medically significant disease in developing countries. Serotypes of S. flexneri are determined by bacterial cell-surface polysaccharides called O-antigens. Bacterial viruses carry the genes which confer O-antigen modification giving rise to different serotypes. The project will address fundamental processes related to the O-antigen modification by studying structure and function of the enzymes encoded by the O-antigen modification gene cluster.
Molecular Basis Of O-antigen Modification And Genomics Of Serotype-converting Bacteriophages Of Shigella Flexneri
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$268,264.00
Summary
There are approximately 165 million cases of shigellosis world wide annually, resulting in 1.1 million deaths. The majority of cases occur in developing countries and most deaths occur in children under 5 years of age. Shigellosis is mainly caused by the bacterium Shigella flexneri. There are 13 different serotypes of S. flexneri determined by bacterial cell-surface polysaccharides called O-antigens. Bacterial viruses (bacteriophages) carry the genes which confer O-antigen variation. Infection a ....There are approximately 165 million cases of shigellosis world wide annually, resulting in 1.1 million deaths. The majority of cases occur in developing countries and most deaths occur in children under 5 years of age. Shigellosis is mainly caused by the bacterium Shigella flexneri. There are 13 different serotypes of S. flexneri determined by bacterial cell-surface polysaccharides called O-antigens. Bacterial viruses (bacteriophages) carry the genes which confer O-antigen variation. Infection and subsequent incorporation of the virus into the genetic material of the bacterial cell result in modification of the bacterial O-antigen. This phage-mediated O-antigen modification gives rise to different serotypes. The project will address fundamental processes related to the O-antigen modification. This will be achieved by studying structure and function of the enzymes encoded by the O-antigen modification gene cluster. We have isolated several serotype-converting bacteriophages from S. flexneri and we plan to compare and characterise their genomic information to increase understanding of their origin and relationship with the bacterial host.Read moreRead less
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.
Identifying The Physiological Conditions That Promote Lateral Gene Transfer And Evolution Of New Streptococcal Pathovars
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,907.00
Summary
In the last few decades, the diseases caused by the three human pathogens, groups A, B and G streptococcus have undergone a transformation. The exchange of DNA between these species is speculated to play a role in this changing disease association. In this proposal we will identify the specific physiological and growth conditions that promote DNA transfer. Such information may help in our understanding of how new pathogenic strains of streptococci arise.
Novel Antibiotics That Harness Innate Immunity To Overcome Multi-drug Resistant S. Aureus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$872,355.00
Summary
Controlling infection with antibiotics is essential in medicine. However, bacterial resistance to antibiotics is growing rapidly. Here, we propose new strategies to treat multi-drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus by combining existing clinical antibiotics with either a targetted immune response or by removing the ability of bacteria to hide from our immune system. These novel approaches will allow us to overcome infections caused by resistant bacteria, which are a serious and growing problem.
Polymicrobial Interactions In Chronic Periodontitis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$413,133.00
Summary
In this study we will determine how three pathogenic species of bacteria interact. Together these species are associated with periodontitis and they produce toxic compounds that may cause tissue damage. Using the newly emerging technologies of metabolomics and transcriptomics we will characterise these interactions. This will identify potential diagnostic biomarkers of disease and therapeutic targets.