Structural Basis For Helicobacter Pylori Adhesion To Host Epithelial Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$665,328.00
Summary
The aim of this grant is to understand how the bacteria that cause gastric cancer and ulcers interact with the cells that line the stomach. This information will be used to develop new treatments to combat disease.
Helicobacter Pylori VacA Toxin: Modulation Of Human Mitochondrial Function By A Bacterial Pathogen
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$508,003.00
Summary
This work will greatly further our understanding of how a bacterium, Helicobacter pylori, causes stomach ulcers and cancer. We will use cutting edge model systems to study the VacA toxin that is secreted from the bacteria and is targeted to human cells. We will examine where the toxin goes and how it affects our cells. It is expected that the improved understanding that will arise from this work will assist researchers to better devise drugs against this prevalent pathogen.
Vaccinating Against Helicobacter Pylori-induced Gastric Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,088,714.00
Summary
Stomach cancer is the 3rd leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Most stomach cancers result from inflammation due to Helicobacter pylori infection. Most infections are treatable with antibiotics but this does not protect against cancers that develop before infection is diagnosed. Normal vaccine approaches aimed at this infection have been unsuccessful. We have identified a new approach for protecting against stomach cancer by preventing inflammation; this project aims to develop this vaccine.
Identification Of Host Genetic Profiles To Combat Gastric Cancer Incidence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,644.00
Summary
Stomach cancer remains a major cause of suffering and death worldwide. While the bacterium Helicobacter pylori is known to be a very important risk factor for stomach cancer, other factors including a subject’s genetic makeup and environmental factors also play a pivotal role. Thus, we aim to identify specific innate genetic changes that are associated with increased risk of stomach cancer across different populations so that subjects can be screened for these genetic biomarkers.
A Novel Therapeutic Target For Preventing Helicobacter Pylori-associated Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$750,336.00
Summary
Gastric cancer mainly results from chronic inflammation (gastritis) caused by the stomach-dwelling bacterium, Helicobacter pylori. We have identified a potassium channel which our data suggest could be a new therapeutic target for protecting against gastric cancer caused by H. pylori infection. This project will test the role of this channel in H. pylori gastritis and see whether drugs that target this channel can protect mice against H. pylori-associated disease.