Novel Antivirals For The Treatment Of Hendravirus Infection.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$199,227.00
Summary
Hendravirus outbreaks have become frequent and 7 human cases have been reported, this has resulted in 4 deaths. Currently we have no treatment options. Researchers at Griffith University and the CSIRO have developed a new treatment that attacks the virus by turning off the viral genes at the site of infection. The plan is to treat patients soon after infection to slow or stop the virus and allow patients to recover naturally from this highly lethal disease.
Solving Delivery Of Gene Therapy For Control Of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$765,439.00
Summary
Antiretroviral therapy free control of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection requires control of the viral reservoir. We have a unique approach, aimed at enforcing HIV latency by targeting highly conserved regions in the viral promoter. These constructs completely silence viral transcription for long periods of time. We intend to develop & assess vectors that are specifically targeted to the reservoir and which can enforce viral latency despite immune activation or viral variation.
Inhibitors Of West Nile Virus Protease As Antiviral Drugs
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$590,740.00
Summary
The West Nile Virus (WNV) was first isolated from a woman in the West Nile region of Uganda in 1937. It is one of ~70 known flaviviruses (e.g. Dengue fever, Yellow fever, West Nile, Kunjun, Japanese encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, tick-borne encephalitis, Australian encephalitis and the related hepatitis C virus) which annually infect hundreds of millions of people worldwide, particularly in tropical and sub-tropical areas, and cause major public health problems. WNV is endemic in people i ....The West Nile Virus (WNV) was first isolated from a woman in the West Nile region of Uganda in 1937. It is one of ~70 known flaviviruses (e.g. Dengue fever, Yellow fever, West Nile, Kunjun, Japanese encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, tick-borne encephalitis, Australian encephalitis and the related hepatitis C virus) which annually infect hundreds of millions of people worldwide, particularly in tropical and sub-tropical areas, and cause major public health problems. WNV is endemic in people in the Middle East, parts of Africa and Europe, but recent epidemics in Israel (1998), Romania (1996), United States (1999), and UK (2003), that have been traced to migratory birds, were characterized by severe symptoms , severe neurological pathology, and fatalities. In the USA alone there were 4,156 infections and 284 deaths in 2002, 9122 infections and 223 deaths in 2003, and this mosquito borne virus has quickly spread since 1999 through all USA states and into Canada and Mexico (http:--www.cdc.gov-ncidod-dvbid- westnile-index.htm). No treatments or vaccines are available. This project focuses on a viral enzyme, known as the West Nile Virus NS3 protease, that is essential for replication of the virus. By studying the enzyme in the laboratory we can design small molecules that block its function and these are potential leads for developing drug treatments for people infected, not only by this virus but potentially also other flaviviruses. A precedent is the success of inhibitors of HIV-1 protease that are the most effective treatment for humans with HIV-infections, and other viral proteases are now becoming recognized as viable antiviral targets for pharmaceutical development. The project involves experts on small molecule protease inhibitor design and development, proteases, and virology including West Nile virology. We expect to generate new information at the cutting edge of West Nile Virus and flavivirus research and promising new antiviral drug candidates.Read moreRead less
Hepatitis B Virus Drug Resistance: Impact On The Immunisation Program
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$113,322.00
Summary
ñAntiviral drug-associated vaccine escape mutantsî have the potential to jeopardize the hepatitis B immunization program. Which particular viral mutations or combination of mutations that can directly affect the clinical outcome of infection, especially in the context of vaccine induced immunity, are not known. In this study we will identify the clinical sequelae and public health consequences arising from the selection of these mutants.
Determining The Clinical Effectiveness Of Antiviral Drugs Against Oseltamivir- And Laninamivir-resistant Influenza Viruses In Animal Models
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$388,067.00
Summary
Currently, the neuraminidase inhibitors are the only drugs that are effective against seasonal influenza viruses. However, viruses can develop resistance to these drugs. Using viruses with varied levels of resistance, the project will determine the effectiveness of different drug treatments in animal models. This will lead to better treatment for those patients seriously ill with drug-resistant influenza viruses.
Combining Laboratory And Computational Approaches To Develop Reliable Low Cost HIV Prognostics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,644.00
Summary
Certain anti-HIV drugs called "CCR5 antagonists" block HIV entry into immune cells. However, HIV drug-resistance can occur. Globally, patient access to CCR5 antagonists has been limited because the pre-treatment laboratory test required to determine HIV drug-resistant is expensive and time-consuming. My research will lead to development of computer programs that reliably, rapidly and cheaply determine HIV drug-resistance and thus greatly improve patient access to CCR5 antagonists worldwide.
Targeting Novel Sites On Reverse Transcriptase For HIV Treatment And Prevention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$978,994.00
Summary
HIV/AIDS remains a major global threat with 37 million individuals living with HIV in 2014. Antiretroviral drugs have transformed HIV from a death sentence into a chronic disease. Public health organisations recommend dramatic scale up of drugs for HIV treatment and prevention. However, a major threat is that drug options will be exhausted due to drug resistance and toxicity. The major aim of this study is to undertake fundamental studies to advance the development of a new HIV drug class.
Retroviral Recombination, RNA Dimers & Multiple Drug Resistant HIV-1
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$405,017.00
Summary
The emergence of multiple drug resistant strains of HIV-1 has threatened the continue success of current clinical treatment to suppress virus propagation. Retroviruses, such as HIV-1, can reshuffle its two copies of genetic materials during the viral replication process, which leads to the production of offspring viruses that contain a mixture of the parental genetic materials. This process of genetic information reshuffling is believed to be important for the generation of multiple drug resista ....The emergence of multiple drug resistant strains of HIV-1 has threatened the continue success of current clinical treatment to suppress virus propagation. Retroviruses, such as HIV-1, can reshuffle its two copies of genetic materials during the viral replication process, which leads to the production of offspring viruses that contain a mixture of the parental genetic materials. This process of genetic information reshuffling is believed to be important for the generation of multiple drug resistant strains of HIV-1. The objective of this proposal is to define the parameters that regulate the reshuffling of HIV-1 genetic materials and to design novel tools to inhibit the production of multiple drug resistant HIV-1.Read moreRead less
Towards A New Class Of Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor For HIV Prevention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$688,833.00
Summary
There remains an urgent need for new HIV prevention strategies. New HIV drugs that block the virus by distinct ways are needed to prevent transmission of drug resistant HIV. This study seeks to identify very small molecules called “fragments” that bind to previously undiscovered pockets on the HIV reverse transcriptase to stop its function, and that can be used as building blocks to design more potent HIV drugs to be used solely for HIV prevention.
HIV/AIDS remains a major global threat with ?37 million individuals living with HIV in 2014. Antiretroviral drugs have transformed HIV from a death sentence into a chronic disease. Public health organisations recommend dramatic scale up of drugs for HIV treatment and prevention. However, a major threat is that drug options will be exhausted in the long-term due to drug resistance and toxicity. The major aim of this study is to advance the development of an entirely new drug class for HIV.