Development of SELEX technology (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment). A recently developed in vitro genetic selection technique has allowed the isolation of oligonucleotides that can bind target molecules with high affinity and specificity. The strategy know as SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment) uses protein biochemistry and PCR technology, with subsequent repeated rounds of selection and amplification, to screen vast libraries of oligonucle ....Development of SELEX technology (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment). A recently developed in vitro genetic selection technique has allowed the isolation of oligonucleotides that can bind target molecules with high affinity and specificity. The strategy know as SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment) uses protein biochemistry and PCR technology, with subsequent repeated rounds of selection and amplification, to screen vast libraries of oligonucleotides (RNA or DNA) for their ability to bind target proteins. This procedure will be developed by UNSW in collaboration with the biotech company BTF Plc., Ltd., to be used in two applications. The first is the research interest of UNSW and involves the development of aptamers against hepatitis C virus. The second lies within the interests of BTF and will involve the development of aptamers against the water borne pathogen Cryptosporidium parvum.Read moreRead less
The multiplexed diagnosis of arbovirus infections using combinatorial probes. Viruses that cause serious diseases such as hemorrhagic fever or encephalitis must be quickly identified. Diagnostic tests based on DNA hybridisation are accurate and can be rapid but they are expensive. We will test a method for simplifying DNA tests and increasing their capabilities. DNA probes for detecting arboviruses will be designed at the ANU using new bioinformatic methods and their reliability will be model ....The multiplexed diagnosis of arbovirus infections using combinatorial probes. Viruses that cause serious diseases such as hemorrhagic fever or encephalitis must be quickly identified. Diagnostic tests based on DNA hybridisation are accurate and can be rapid but they are expensive. We will test a method for simplifying DNA tests and increasing their capabilities. DNA probes for detecting arboviruses will be designed at the ANU using new bioinformatic methods and their reliability will be modelled using all the available genetic information. Computer predictions will be experimentally tested in the PANBIO laboratory by using the probes to detect viral nucleic acids. The influence of virus genome complexity will be investigatedRead moreRead less
Detection of imported exotic strains of West Nile virus for national biosecurity surveillance. West Nile virus (WNV) is transmitted by mosquitoes and causes a fatal disease of the brain in animals and humans. WNV is currently exotic to this country, however a closely related, but benign cousin of this virus (Kunjin) can be found in Northern Australia. Currently it is very difficult to differentiate between infections with WNV and Kunjin using standard laboratory tests, therefore it will be diff ....Detection of imported exotic strains of West Nile virus for national biosecurity surveillance. West Nile virus (WNV) is transmitted by mosquitoes and causes a fatal disease of the brain in animals and humans. WNV is currently exotic to this country, however a closely related, but benign cousin of this virus (Kunjin) can be found in Northern Australia. Currently it is very difficult to differentiate between infections with WNV and Kunjin using standard laboratory tests, therefore it will be difficult for public health officials to detect WNV if it is introduced to Australia. In this project we aim to develop more accurate laboratory tests to detect infections with the deadly, exotic WNV using new strategies. Read moreRead less
Molecular tools for controlling pathogenic viruses in the seed potato industry. In this project, molecular diagnostic tools will be generated that will improve the ability of testing laboratories to deliver cost-effective virus diagnostic services to seed potato certification authorities in Australia. There will be economic benefits from increased yields of fresh and processing potatoes, higher prices in domestic and export markets, expansion of current and development of new markets, and licen ....Molecular tools for controlling pathogenic viruses in the seed potato industry. In this project, molecular diagnostic tools will be generated that will improve the ability of testing laboratories to deliver cost-effective virus diagnostic services to seed potato certification authorities in Australia. There will be economic benefits from increased yields of fresh and processing potatoes, higher prices in domestic and export markets, expansion of current and development of new markets, and licensing of tests. There will also be economic and social returns to the broader rural community by better management and control of virus pathogens, and less reliance on environmentally undesirable chemical control measures. The project will provide expert training of two PhD students in practical and molecular plant virology. Read moreRead less
Molecular and antibody analysis of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection of fetal and placental cells. CMV is a beta herpesvirus with many unknown molecular mechanisms associated with cellular infection. The virus infects placental cells in vivo, although pathogenesis of viral damage to these cells has been extremely difficult to study in vitro. We have commenced a study to i) demonstrate the molecular accompaniments of infection of placental cells in vitro, ii) determine the genotypic characteristics ....Molecular and antibody analysis of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection of fetal and placental cells. CMV is a beta herpesvirus with many unknown molecular mechanisms associated with cellular infection. The virus infects placental cells in vivo, although pathogenesis of viral damage to these cells has been extremely difficult to study in vitro. We have commenced a study to i) demonstrate the molecular accompaniments of infection of placental cells in vitro, ii) determine the genotypic characteristics of congenital CMV infections, in collaboration with Abbott Diagnostics, and iii) produce an in vivo model of CMV infection to demonstrate the pathogenesis of cellular injury. The combination of molecular expertise at UNSW with monoclonal antibody expertise from Abbott Diagnostics mean this project is unique worldwide.Read moreRead less
A comparative study of the distribution and spread of potential molecular markers for Mundulla Yellows disease. Mundulla Yellows (MY), a newly recognised widespread lethal disease of Eucalyptus spp.in Australia, is a serious threat to national biodiversity and conservation. It is contagious, apparently biotic, but the causal agent is unknown. Identification of the cause is essential to establish sustainable control measures. We have detected a range of MY-associated RNAs constituting a disease ' ....A comparative study of the distribution and spread of potential molecular markers for Mundulla Yellows disease. Mundulla Yellows (MY), a newly recognised widespread lethal disease of Eucalyptus spp.in Australia, is a serious threat to national biodiversity and conservation. It is contagious, apparently biotic, but the causal agent is unknown. Identification of the cause is essential to establish sustainable control measures. We have detected a range of MY-associated RNAs constituting a disease 'fingerprint'. To identify individual RNAs uniquely associated with MY we aim to compare MY-RNA fingerprints from a range of affected species from different sites and with varying symptoms. Candidate RNAs will be cloned both for establishing molecular diagnostics for MY and identifying the cause.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989564
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$150,000.00
Summary
State-of-the-art facility for human and animal virus research in the Canberra and surrounding regions. New viral diseases continue to emerge and old viruses re-emerge to pose a threat to human and animal health. To combat these, we propose a dedicated viral disease research facility. The centre will include experienced researchers, biotechnology companies and government agencies working on discovery, prevention and treatment of viral diseases. Forging strong scientific links between these organi ....State-of-the-art facility for human and animal virus research in the Canberra and surrounding regions. New viral diseases continue to emerge and old viruses re-emerge to pose a threat to human and animal health. To combat these, we propose a dedicated viral disease research facility. The centre will include experienced researchers, biotechnology companies and government agencies working on discovery, prevention and treatment of viral diseases. Forging strong scientific links between these organisations will considerably enhance the productivity of these researchers, increase their collaborative and scientific outputs and allow for training of students in the latest technologies. The facility will provide researchers with cutting-edge instrumentation for nationally and internationally important projects that would benefit human health.Read moreRead less
Anthocyanin Inhibitors to the Influenza Virus. The increasing resistance of circulating influenza strains to current anti-viral inhibitors has prompted an investigation to screen, design, synthesize and evaluate a new class of natural product based inhibitors to the virus employing novel and innovative mass spectrometry, computational and structural approaches. Preliminary studies reveal they offer benefits in terms of a different mode of binding to influenza neuraminidase, remote from many know ....Anthocyanin Inhibitors to the Influenza Virus. The increasing resistance of circulating influenza strains to current anti-viral inhibitors has prompted an investigation to screen, design, synthesize and evaluate a new class of natural product based inhibitors to the virus employing novel and innovative mass spectrometry, computational and structural approaches. Preliminary studies reveal they offer benefits in terms of a different mode of binding to influenza neuraminidase, remote from many known resistance mutations, and may have specific practicality against N1 neuraminidase in H1N1 and H5N1 viruses responsible for all pandemics of the 20th and 21st centuries. The research will enable the potential of these inhibitors to be fully assessed at the molecular level for the first time.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms of human immunodeficiency virus entry into cells. This project will develop an understanding of how human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) evolves in people to become better able to infect, and hence destroy, cells of the immune system. It is expected that new knowledge into how HIV alters the way it interacts with these cells will reveal insights for the design of vaccines, drugs and new diagnostic tests.
Proteotyping for the rapid identification of pandemic influenza. Future influenza pandemics will develop more rapidly providing a relatively short window with which to survey and assess the nature of the virus and administer effective treatments. Application of a new proteotyping approach will allow strains of pandemic potential to be characterised more directly and rapidly than current surveillance methods.