Host-pathogen Interaction: The Battle For Supremacy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$480,014.00
Summary
This grant will provide salary support for Dr Rowena Bull. Dr Bull's research is focused on understanding the disease process between the human host and the infecting virus. The outcomes of this research will be used to find novel ways to fight viral infections with vaccines and drugs.
Novel Insights Into The Mechanisms Of How Viruses Cause Arthritis/Arthralgia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$78,187.00
Summary
Viruses cause many diseases today and new viruses emerge to post threats to future health and well being. The proposed work investigates how viruses cause disease in people, particularly how viral infections can lead to arthritis or muscle pain. This understanding will be used in the development of new prevention strategies and treatments.
Enhanced Translation Of Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Protein, EBNA1, As A Target Fot T Cell-based Immunotherapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$380,558.00
Summary
Epstein-Barr virus, (EBV) is a human herpesvirus associated with a range of human cancers. EBNA1, an important EBV antigen, was thought to be “immunologically silent” however, recent studies from our laboratory show that EBNA1 is recognized by our body's defence system and these observations raise the possibility that EBNA1 may be an exploitable, immuno-therapy target for treating EBV-associated cancers.
Competition For Polarity Influences Lymphocyte Differentiation And Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$380,558.00
Summary
CD46 is a protein on human cells that viruses and bacteria bind to during infection. Our laboratory has found that binding of CD46 on immune cells impairs their ability to recognize and kill target cells and may explain the immunosuppression caused by measles infection. We aim to investigate the mechanisms behind the effect of CD46 on immune cells. The outcomes of this study will define new paradigms in lymphocyte biology and determine how CD46 influences the immune response to infection.
Evolutionary Events Shaping The Genome Of Cryptococcus Neoformans And Their Effects On Pathogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$387,489.00
Summary
Recurring infection in patients with fungal meningitis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans is typically caused by persistence of the original infection rather than reinfection with a new strain. Our analysis of relapse strains shows that small-scale alterations frequently occur at the chromosome ends - regions containing important pathogenesis-related genes in other pathogens. We seek to characterise this microevolution further to understand how it contributes to the success of this pathogen.
The Role Of Glycans In Arboviral Disease; From Immunomodulation To Glycotherapeutic Treatment Strategies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,180.00
Summary
Dengue and chikungunya viruses are leading causes of emerging mosquito-transmitted (arboviral) disease worldwide. Currently there are no available vaccines or therapeutics making combatting these arboviral diseases one of our most pressing global health challenges. Preliminary evidence shows that glycan recognition is critical for disease immunopathogenesis. This project focuses on the role of viral glycans in arboviral disease with the aim of identifying and expanding on new therapeutic targets
Systems Immunology Of Antigen Specific T Cells: From Single-cell To Immune Protection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,144.00
Summary
T cells are key for establishment of immune protection and object of ongoing research in vaccines and more recently immunotherapy against infections and some cancers. Their dynamics are complex and many mechanisms remain unknown that could be exploited for modern therapies. Here, in a systems approach I will combined single cell technologies, immunology and computational biology to identify the factors that determine the establishment of long term memory cells utilising a unique set of samples.