Microbial Involvement In The Development Of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$302,123.00
Summary
Despite extensive research investigating the causative agent(s) of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), the results of current studies remain inconclusive. One reason for this relates to study design and the sensitivity of techniques used. This project will investigate differences in the microbial composition and metabolic profiles of newly diagnosed IBD children as compared with matched controls. If successful, these results will provide insights into possible aetiological agent(s) of IBD.
Tissue Specific Antigen Presenting Cell Functions During Infection.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$555,325.00
Summary
T cell activation is often inefficient following infection or vaccination, resulting in poor control of pathogens. In this grant, we propose to investigate the cellular basis for sub-optimal CD4+ T cell activation following infection. Specifically, we will study the roles of antigen presenting cells in CD4+ T cell activation in an experimental model of visceral leishmaniasis caused by the human protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani.
Human Genetic Susceptibility To Bacterial Invasion And The Interaction With Chronic Helminth Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$377,040.00
Summary
A genetic study will be undertaken to identify genes that increase an individual’s risk of developing a bloodstream bacterial invasion following severe pneumonia, a leading cause of infant death world-wide. The risk of getting a bacterial infection is increased in individuals already infected with parasitic intestinal worms. This may also reduce drug and vaccine efficacy. Research will be undertaken to investigate these relationships for future drug and vaccination development.
The Role Of Protein Oxidation And Isomerization Pathways In The Pathogenesis Of Neisseria Meningitidis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$264,816.00
Summary
Neisseria meningitidis causes meningococcal disease. It lives on the surface of the nasopharynx and in certain circumstances, can invade into the bloodstream causing sepsis. This is a complicated process, which involves many proteins produced by the bacteria. Many of these proteins contain a special covalent bond, the disulphide bond, which allows them to function properly. We are investigating how these disulphide bonds are put into proteins.
Fenofibrate In The Management Of AbdoMinal Aortic AnEurysm (FAME)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$455,713.00
Summary
Approximately 5% of men and 1% of women aged over 60 years develop weakening of the main abdominal artery. Currently the management of artery weakening is focused on surgery with no effective medications available. In this study we will assess whether a drug which limits artery weakening in pre-clinical testing also shows evidence of inhibiting processes important in artery damage in patients. We believe this is a critical next step in the assessment of a promising new treatment.
Regulatory Networks Controlling The Interaction Of Neisseria Gonorrhoeae With The Human Host
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$361,091.00
Summary
What does Neisseria gonorrhoeae switch on when entering a human cell? Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the causative agent of the sexually transmitted disease (STD) gonorrhoea and globally causes approximately 20-60 million new cases per annum (WHO). Gonococcal infection is the leading cause of pelvic inflammatory disease in women and ~ one third of patients will become infertile. Increased levels of resistance to traditional antibiotics have raised concerns for future treatment options. To date no succ ....What does Neisseria gonorrhoeae switch on when entering a human cell? Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the causative agent of the sexually transmitted disease (STD) gonorrhoea and globally causes approximately 20-60 million new cases per annum (WHO). Gonococcal infection is the leading cause of pelvic inflammatory disease in women and ~ one third of patients will become infertile. Increased levels of resistance to traditional antibiotics have raised concerns for future treatment options. To date no successful vaccine strategies have been developed for this organism, primarily because the cell surface proteins elicit limited immunological protection against other strains. To enable the development of innovative approaches to the control of gonococcal infections, we propose to investigate the regulatory networks in gonococci that are important for initial colonization and survival in the human host. We will examine the role of a class of proteins, called sigma factors, that control the expression of a large number of genes in a concerted fashion. The sigma factors themselves do not recognize environmental signals, but their activity is controlled by a complicated array of proteins that are responsive to changing conditions in the bacterial cell. We have for the first time in any bacterial pathogen, identified all of the genes controlled by sigma factors in the obligate human pathogen, Neisseria gonorrhoeae. We have also found that the mechanisms controlling the activity of the sigma factors in this organism are different to those found in other bacterial pathogens. Our aim is to understand the mechanisms that control sigma factors and to gain insight into how N. gonorrhoeae sense and responds to the host cell during infections.Read moreRead less
Clinical And Microbiological Predictors Of Post-operative Crohn's Disease Recurrence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$120,253.00
Summary
The multi-centre randomised controlled POCER (Post-Operative Crohn’s Disease Recurrence) trial has shown that following “curative” surgery, the anti-tumour necrosis factor drug adalimumab prevents recurrent disease in almost all patients. I will examine the multiple factors that contribute to disease recurrence including assessment of mucosal microbiota, faecal biomarkers and serological antibody markers in patients with Crohn's disease. Results will improve clinical outcomes and change internat ....The multi-centre randomised controlled POCER (Post-Operative Crohn’s Disease Recurrence) trial has shown that following “curative” surgery, the anti-tumour necrosis factor drug adalimumab prevents recurrent disease in almost all patients. I will examine the multiple factors that contribute to disease recurrence including assessment of mucosal microbiota, faecal biomarkers and serological antibody markers in patients with Crohn's disease. Results will improve clinical outcomes and change international practice.Read moreRead less