In recent years it has become clear that certain white blood cells called CD8+ T lymphocytes or killer T cells are required to protect people against HIV. Unfortunately, current vaccines that produce or anti-HIV CD8 T cells only produce effective T cells for a short period. In this project we intend to test a novel vaccine vector called a Kunjin replicon, which promises to persistently produce or maintain effective T cells because the vaccine itself persists and continually immunises for extende ....In recent years it has become clear that certain white blood cells called CD8+ T lymphocytes or killer T cells are required to protect people against HIV. Unfortunately, current vaccines that produce or anti-HIV CD8 T cells only produce effective T cells for a short period. In this project we intend to test a novel vaccine vector called a Kunjin replicon, which promises to persistently produce or maintain effective T cells because the vaccine itself persists and continually immunises for extended periods. We intend to test the ability of this vaccine to persist and persistently produce effective CD8 T cells not only systemically in the blood system but also at mucosal surfaces, where HIV usually gains entry during sexual intercourse.Read moreRead less
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.
Early Diagnosis And Prognosis Of Severe Dengue In Vietnamese Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$689,323.00
Summary
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection. Tropical Australia has experienced multiple outbreaks of dengue in the last decade. This project, conducted in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam, will define the accuracy of a rapid diagnostic test for the early diagnosis of severe dengue. In doing so, we will also derive an algorithm using simple laboratory and clinical findings that can help identify those patients at greatest risk of severe complications, with benefits for both patients and hospitals.
Urinary tract infections (UTI) are among the most common infectious diseases of humans and a major cause of morbidity and mortality. In the USA, UTI accounts for >$1.6 billion in medical expenses each year. It is estimated that 50% of women will develop a UTI in their lifetime. This research aims to understand the processes by which bacteria colonize the human bladder. The work has implications for the development of new approaches to prevent and treat UTI.
The Molecular Physiology Of Streptococcus Pneumoniae During Sepsis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$232,504.00
Summary
The project will determine the way in which pneumococcus changes its properties when it invades the bloodstream of the human host. Since these changes are linked to sepsis then this new understanding will provide information that can be used to manage and control acute pneumococcal infection.
Molecular Basis Of Asymptomatic Colonization Of The Human Urinary Tract
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$461,894.00
Summary
Urinary tract infections (UTI) are among the most common infectious diseases of humans and a major cause of morbidity and mortality. In the USA, UTI accounts for >$1.6 billion in medical expenses each year. It is estimated that 50% of women will develop a UTI in their lifetime. This research aims to understand the processes by which bacteria colonize the human bladder and the surface of urinary catheters. The work has implications for the development of new approaches to prevent and treat UTI ....Urinary tract infections (UTI) are among the most common infectious diseases of humans and a major cause of morbidity and mortality. In the USA, UTI accounts for >$1.6 billion in medical expenses each year. It is estimated that 50% of women will develop a UTI in their lifetime. This research aims to understand the processes by which bacteria colonize the human bladder and the surface of urinary catheters. The work has implications for the development of new approaches to prevent and treat UTI.Read moreRead less
The Molecular Basis Of Bacterial Infectious Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$16,230,996.00
Summary
Bacterial infectious diseases are a serious threat to human health, accounting for over 10 million deaths each year. This multidisciplinary collaborative team is investigating the complex interactions between major disease-causing bacteria and their human hosts, in order to determine how they cause disease. These studies will make a major contribution to fundamental knowledge in this field. This information is also essential for the development of cheaper and more effective vaccines, as well as ....Bacterial infectious diseases are a serious threat to human health, accounting for over 10 million deaths each year. This multidisciplinary collaborative team is investigating the complex interactions between major disease-causing bacteria and their human hosts, in order to determine how they cause disease. These studies will make a major contribution to fundamental knowledge in this field. This information is also essential for the development of cheaper and more effective vaccines, as well as novel drugs. These are urgently needed to reduce death and illness due to bacterial infectious diseases in the 21st century. 11Read moreRead less
Characterisation Of Extracellular DNases Of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa And Their Contribution To Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$418,516.00
Summary
The bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes a number of serious diseases of humans particularly of immunocompromised patients. We have found that this bacterium secretes enzymes that have the ability to digest DNA. This proposal aims to work out how this bacterium uses these enzymes to infect human tissues and escape killing by immune cells. The results from this study will help to determine if these proteins may be used as targets for the development of new anti-infective drugs.