A Genome Wide Screen For Human Genes That Support The Replication Of Intracellular Bacterial Pathogens
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$321,090.00
Summary
Coxiella burnetii is a bacterium that causes a life threatening infection of humans, termed Q fever.Coxiella survives and replicates inside human cells within a unique protected niche and little is known about how the bacterium does this. This study will identify and investigate the individual human proteins that are used by the bacterium to manipulate the human cells it inhabits and the mechanisms through which the bacterium achieves this.
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.
Microbiological And Immunological Determinants Of Prolonged Illness Following Q Fever.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$362,036.00
Summary
Q fever is a severe, sometimes life-threatening infection acquired by individuals who work with livestock, particularly abattoir workers. At least 10% of individuals who develop Q fever experience prolonged ill-health in the form of weeks or months of debilitating fatigue, profuse night sweats, headaches, as well as muscle and joint pains. This poorly understood persistent illness is associated with substantial disability and loss of income. This research is based upon an established cohort stud ....Q fever is a severe, sometimes life-threatening infection acquired by individuals who work with livestock, particularly abattoir workers. At least 10% of individuals who develop Q fever experience prolonged ill-health in the form of weeks or months of debilitating fatigue, profuse night sweats, headaches, as well as muscle and joint pains. This poorly understood persistent illness is associated with substantial disability and loss of income. This research is based upon an established cohort study in which subjects with acute, documented Q fever are recruited shortly after the onset of symptoms and followed at regular intervals through to recovery or persistent symptoms. The aim of this research is to determine whether abnormal persistence of the causative organsim of Q fever, Coxiella burnetii, underlies the continued symptoms in those who do not recover promptly from the acute illness. Furthermore, the research is examining the host defense response against the organism via the production of cytokines or immunological hormones, to determine whether these proteins mediate the ongoing symptoms. If confirmed, these hypotheses would lead the way to diagnostic markers for the disorder and a rational treatment strategy.Read moreRead less
How The Intracellular Pathogen Coxiella Burnetii Manipulates Host Small GTPases To Facilitate Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$534,510.00
Summary
This study explores how the bacterium Coxiella burnetii causes the serious infectious disease Q fever. Coxiella is a potential biological weapon because it is stable in the environment and few organisms are required to cause disease. Coxiella is able to manipulate human cells to replicate in a unique location within the cell but little is known about how they do this. Here we will study the host proteins that are important during infection and how Coxiella manipulates these factors to facilitate ....This study explores how the bacterium Coxiella burnetii causes the serious infectious disease Q fever. Coxiella is a potential biological weapon because it is stable in the environment and few organisms are required to cause disease. Coxiella is able to manipulate human cells to replicate in a unique location within the cell but little is known about how they do this. Here we will study the host proteins that are important during infection and how Coxiella manipulates these factors to facilitate intracellular replication.Read moreRead less
Defining Pathogenic Mechanisms Of Intracellular Bacteria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$494,691.00
Summary
This study explores how the bacterium Coxiella burnetii causes the serious infectious disease Q fever. Coxiella is a potential biological weapon because it is very stable in the environment and few organisms are required to cause disease. Coxiella is able to commandeer human cells to replicate in a specialized vacuole but little is understood about how they do this. We will examine the virulence factors of Coxiella and investigate how they allow the bacteria to replicate inside human cells.