Excess inflammation is a major problem after injury and in many diseases. Upon injury molecules are release that act as danger signals to alert the immune system to start the repair process. However, high levels of these dangers signals can impair the final stages of healing. Understanding how to prevent the immune system being excessively stimulated by these danger signals is key to being able to dampen inflammation after injury improve the healing response.
The Identification And Characterisation Of A New DNA Receptor
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$656,498.00
Summary
The immune system has evolved to fight disease-causing microbes. First, it has to recognize that an infectious agent has invaded. To do this we have developed many probes (receptors) that sense microbial products. Detecting microbial DNA is a critical alarm bell. However, distinguishing pathogen DNA from our own DNA is difficult because both look alike. We have identified a new receptor that helps us identify bacterial DNA and alerts the immune system to the imminent danger.
Initial Interactions Of Herpes Simplex Virus With Innate Immune Cells In Human Skin
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$522,589.00
Summary
Herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2 cause widespread and occasionally serious diseases including genital herpes, neonatal death and encephalitis. Current vaccine candidates are at best partially effective. This grant will examine the way that the virus enters, initially spreads within the skin and interacts with immune cells to help determine which cells should be stimulated by vaccines.
Inhibitors Of Class II HDACs In Inflammatory And Metabolic Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$615,774.00
Summary
Inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and inflammatory bowel syndrome are major social and economic burdens on Australian communities. Obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease are also now widely viewed as inflammatory diseases. New specialised types of anti-inflammatory drugs are urgently needed to treat such diseases. This project proposes to create new classes of anti-inflammatory drugs by altering anti-cancer drugs called histone deacetylase inhibitors.
Defining The Role Of Zinc In Human Macrophage Responses To Salmonella
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$592,049.00
Summary
It is estimated that one third of the worlds population is affected by mild to moderate zinc deficiency, and that this predisposes to a range of infectious diseases. The immunomodulatory effects of zinc have been appreciated for many years, and indeed zinc supplementation is used to treat severe diarrhoeal diseases. This project aims to understand the anti-infective mechanisms of zinc by focusing on macrophages, a key cell type involved in killing invading microorganisms.