Identification of novel antigens for vaccination and immunotherapy against the human gastric pathogen, Helicobacter pylori. The bacterium Helicobacter pylori is a significant human pathogen which infects the stomach where it is the major cause of stomach and duodenal ulcers, plus two types of cancer. This project proposes to utilise a novel strategy to identify potential vaccine targets on the bacterial surface with the aim to develop an effective vaccine against this organism. Such a vaccine wo ....Identification of novel antigens for vaccination and immunotherapy against the human gastric pathogen, Helicobacter pylori. The bacterium Helicobacter pylori is a significant human pathogen which infects the stomach where it is the major cause of stomach and duodenal ulcers, plus two types of cancer. This project proposes to utilise a novel strategy to identify potential vaccine targets on the bacterial surface with the aim to develop an effective vaccine against this organism. Such a vaccine would protect against the development of stomach cancer, hence saving lives, plus significantly reduce the incidence of stomach ulcers, thereby reducing suffering of individuals and providing financial benefits to employers.Read moreRead less
Gastrointestinal parasites and their diagnosis. Gastrointestinal disease such as diarrhoea, abdominal pain and irritable bowel syndrome are common in the Australian population and there are a wide variety of causes, including potentially parasites. The parasite Dientamoeba fragilis has, until recently, been overlooked as a cause of human disease, but recent studies have confirmed its role as a pathogen. This project seeks to improve the diagnosis of this organism in faeces and this development ....Gastrointestinal parasites and their diagnosis. Gastrointestinal disease such as diarrhoea, abdominal pain and irritable bowel syndrome are common in the Australian population and there are a wide variety of causes, including potentially parasites. The parasite Dientamoeba fragilis has, until recently, been overlooked as a cause of human disease, but recent studies have confirmed its role as a pathogen. This project seeks to improve the diagnosis of this organism in faeces and this development will allow effective treatment to be used in patients thereby ameliorating disease.Read moreRead less