Assessing a model of the physiological changes at arousal from sleep. Arousals from sleep are common in the elderly and have adverse consequences. This project will investigate a model of the changes in bodily processes (muscle, brain and cardiovascular activation) that occur when humans awaken from sleep.
The biology, structure and function of bacterial virulence effectors. This project is closely aligned with the National Research Priority of Promoting and Maintaining Good Health and will establish a research framework to investigate novel virulence processes that allow bacterial pathogens to infect humans and cause disease. This fresh approach to the study of bacterial pathogenesis will sit outside classic genetic methods to investigate infection and immunity which rely heavily on genetic manip ....The biology, structure and function of bacterial virulence effectors. This project is closely aligned with the National Research Priority of Promoting and Maintaining Good Health and will establish a research framework to investigate novel virulence processes that allow bacterial pathogens to infect humans and cause disease. This fresh approach to the study of bacterial pathogenesis will sit outside classic genetic methods to investigate infection and immunity which rely heavily on genetic manipulation of the pathogen. Other than providing fundamental information on host-pathogen interactions, this work may lead to novel disease interventions by inhibition of bacterial virulence factor activity and/or enhancement of host inflammatory and immune responses.Read moreRead less
Understanding the biology of reactive oxygen species. This project will utilise forefront technologies to identify and characterise fundamental biological processes involving toxic free radicals that cause infectious disease and cancer. The approach synergises with researchers across disciplines and universities to ultimately identify future drugs to improve and maintain health.
Molecular Mechanisms of NOD signalling. Alterations in NOD1 and NOD2 (nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain containing 1 and 2) signalling have been implicated in various human inflammatory diseases. Therefore, a clear understanding of the molecular signalling pathways is important to gain further insights into potential drug targets for the treatment of these diseases. Using novel experimental approaches, this project aims to identify new members of the NOD signalling pathway. It will test ....Molecular Mechanisms of NOD signalling. Alterations in NOD1 and NOD2 (nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain containing 1 and 2) signalling have been implicated in various human inflammatory diseases. Therefore, a clear understanding of the molecular signalling pathways is important to gain further insights into potential drug targets for the treatment of these diseases. Using novel experimental approaches, this project aims to identify new members of the NOD signalling pathway. It will test the effect of pharmacological inhibition of established molecules such as RIPK2 or IAPs in NOD dependent models for human diseases. Outcomes of this study will be of the utmost interest for the treatment of NOD driven diseases such as Crohn's disease, Blau syndrome or asthma.Read moreRead less
Identifying the major targets of protective antibodies against malaria. This project aims to understand how immunity to malaria develops and to use this knowledge to develop effective vaccines against malaria. The development of a malaria vaccine would be of great value in Australia's region where malaria is a leading cause of death and illness and impairs economic development. The project will advance our knowledge of how the immune system fights infections and will contribute to building Austr ....Identifying the major targets of protective antibodies against malaria. This project aims to understand how immunity to malaria develops and to use this knowledge to develop effective vaccines against malaria. The development of a malaria vaccine would be of great value in Australia's region where malaria is a leading cause of death and illness and impairs economic development. The project will advance our knowledge of how the immune system fights infections and will contribute to building Australia's strength in infectious diseases research and developing strategies to combat important infections. The project will help build and maintain expertise in developing vaccines in Australia and the approaches used and knowledge gained will be applicable to understanding and combating other important infections.Read moreRead less
Bio-engineering Insect-Specific Flaviviruses for control of arboviruses. This project aims to study a family of commensal viruses of mosquitoes called insect-specific flaviviruses that are naturally found in mosquitoes and do not infect or cause disease in vertebrate hosts. Using an innovative approach, this project employs cutting-edge molecular virology approaches to modify these insect-specific flaviviruses to enhance their ability to block the replication of other pathogenic viruses in the m ....Bio-engineering Insect-Specific Flaviviruses for control of arboviruses. This project aims to study a family of commensal viruses of mosquitoes called insect-specific flaviviruses that are naturally found in mosquitoes and do not infect or cause disease in vertebrate hosts. Using an innovative approach, this project employs cutting-edge molecular virology approaches to modify these insect-specific flaviviruses to enhance their ability to block the replication of other pathogenic viruses in the mosquito vector. Expected outcome of this project is a bio-control strategy that is complementary to the Wolbachia approach. The anticipated benefits include the advancement of knowledge of insect-specific flaviviruses, and promotion of interdisciplinary research across the fields of Entomology and Virology.Read moreRead less
Investigating the actions of anti-inflammatory pathways in chronic lung disease. There is an urgent need to develop better drugs for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) as patients become resistant to currently used anti-inflammatory drugs with disease progression. This research will uncover fundamental biology into an important class of anti-inflammatory receptor termed ALX/FPR2. This receptor normally coordinates the clearance of infection and injured tissue and subsequently switches ....Investigating the actions of anti-inflammatory pathways in chronic lung disease. There is an urgent need to develop better drugs for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) as patients become resistant to currently used anti-inflammatory drugs with disease progression. This research will uncover fundamental biology into an important class of anti-inflammatory receptor termed ALX/FPR2. This receptor normally coordinates the clearance of infection and injured tissue and subsequently switches off inflammation. Essential knowledge into why this receptor pathway fails to switch off inflammation will be determined. Furthermore, the development of targeting strategies to this receptor represents an innovative approach to blocking damaging and chronic airway inflammation.Read moreRead less
New models of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation disorders. Mitochondrial disease can affect both children and adults and is often fatal. This project will study mitochondrial function in cell types of the heart and brain to better understand how they generate energy in these tissues. This will provide new insights into mitochondrial metabolism and how defects in this process cause mitochondrial disease.
Psyllids as biosecurity threats to plantation and native eucalypts in Australia and internationally. Psyllids are tiny cicada-like insects that are economic pests of forestry and horticulture because the saliva injected when feeding causes leaf death and some vector plant diseases. Advanced technologies and procedures will be used to determine what makes plants susceptible to psyllids and to improve Australian preparedness ahead of an incursion.
Defining targets and generating tools/therapeutic agents for prevention, diagnosis and therapy of atherothrombosis. Atherosclerosis and its complications such as myocardial infarction and stroke are a major cause of death and disability in Australia and worldwide. The proposed research program investigates new therapeutic targets and concepts (e.g. targeting of stem cells) to treat atherosclerosis and aims to develop new therapeutic agents using modern biotechnological methods. The project furth ....Defining targets and generating tools/therapeutic agents for prevention, diagnosis and therapy of atherothrombosis. Atherosclerosis and its complications such as myocardial infarction and stroke are a major cause of death and disability in Australia and worldwide. The proposed research program investigates new therapeutic targets and concepts (e.g. targeting of stem cells) to treat atherosclerosis and aims to develop new therapeutic agents using modern biotechnological methods. The project further aims to develop nanoparticle-based diagnostic tools to identify and preventatively treat atherosclerotic plaques that are prone to cause myocardial infarction. The expected outcome will provide direct benefit to patients and create new economic opportunities in Australian bio-/nanotechnology.Read moreRead less