Mucosal Human Immunodeficiency Virus Vaccine Late Pre-clinical Evaluation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$575,315.00
Summary
Despite many candidate vaccines entering clinical development for protection against HIV, none has yet been successful. This proposal centres on late preclinical development for a novel mucosal vaccine strategy for HIV, which combines a preclinically-proven approach to generating strong T cell immune responses, with an existing approach to generating broadly neutralising antibody responses to HIV. Proof of synergy between these approaches will lead directly to clinical development.
Pre-clinica Evaluation Of A Novel HIV-1 Vaccine Statrgy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$528,440.00
Summary
Recently, we have designed two mucosal HIV vaccine strategies that temporary block hormone-like molecules IL-4/IL-13 at the vaccination site inducing excellent antibody and killer T cell immunity with protective efficacy in small animals. This project aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of these novel HIV mucosal vaccines prior to clinical evaluation.
The project aims to improve cochlear implant performance via integrated gene therapy. A neurotrophin gene cassette will be delivered to cells adjacent to the electrode array using electrical pulses. This drives regeneration of the auditory nerve fibres and considerably improves cochlear implant performance. This study will optimize the therapeutic gene construct and cochlear implant –based gene delivery controller, and undertake an initial clinical trial to evaluate safety and efficacy.
Development Of Novel Gene Therapy Vectors For Thalassaemia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$287,307.00
Summary
Thalassaemia, is a common inherited disorder affecting haemoglobin synthesis. Synthesis of ?/?-globin chain is balanced during normal red blood cell production. Any disruption in the ratio of ?/?-globin chain results in anaemia. In this study, we will explore gene therapy strategies to restore balanced ?:? globin expression and ultimately improve the severely anaemic phenotype in ?-thalassaemia patients.
A Novel Strategy To Enhance T Cell-mediated Immunity To Vaccine Antigens
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$234,592.00
Summary
Globally there are about 33 million people living with HIV. The disease has already resulted in 23 million deaths and 2.5 million people are newly infected each year. Similarly, TB kills nearly 2 million people every year and infects about 1% of the worldÍs population every year. A vaccine is the best and also likely the only long-term solution for HIV/TB disease prevention. This research proposal looks at novel strategies to increase the efficacy of vaccines for diseases such as HIV/TB.