Resolving Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Transmission
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$745,213.00
Summary
To increase the breadth of HIV prevention strategies, it is imperative that we biologically understand how HIV enters our bodies. Through two unique clinical cohorts, we will determine why circumcision is protective and how a commonly acquired sexual transmitted infection (human papilloma virus) can increase HIV transmission.
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that infects and kills the cells of your immune system. This infection eventually leads to the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). An important aspect in preventing infection is to study how HIV enters immune cells and how infection spreads. Our lab is researching drugs to block the entry of HIV in immune cells, which can hopefully be used together with existing anti-HIV drugs to slow down the spread of the virus and the onset of AIDS.
Viral Load, HIV Treatment, And HIV Transmission In Serodiscordant Male Homosexual Couples
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,452,298.00
Summary
HIV treatment reduces the concentration of HIV in the body. In heterosexuals, current studies will determine the effectiveness of HIV treatment in preventing onwards HIV transmission. In contrast, there has been very little such research in homosexual men, who comprise 70% or more of people with HIV in Australia. This study will follow for four years over 200 male homosexual couples in which one is HIV positive and the other negative, to investigate the role of HIV treatment in HIV prevention.
HIV/AIDS remains a major global threat with ?37 million individuals living with HIV in 2014. Antiretroviral drugs have transformed HIV from a death sentence into a chronic disease. Public health organisations recommend dramatic scale up of drugs for HIV treatment and prevention. However, a major threat is that drug options will be exhausted in the long-term due to drug resistance and toxicity. The major aim of this study is to advance the development of an entirely new drug class for HIV.
HIV Assembly, Transport, Egress And Transfer From Infected Dendritic Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$511,629.00
Summary
HIV-AIDS is the fourth leading killing disease worldwide, with the disease burden shifting towards women. Study of the HIV life cycle in cells known to be targetted during HIV transmission is key towards designing additional preventative measures in the form of topical gels known as microbicides. Mapping of the basic pathways of viral transport within such cells, will aid further drug discovery and-or appropriateness of use of existing drugs in microbicide formulations.
Treatment Of Bacterial Vaginosis: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$265,757.00
Summary
The objective of this research project is to determine if the treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) can be improved. Bacterial vaginosis is one of the most common causes of vaginal discharge in women. It can also have serious consequences, such as premature labour and can also increase the risk of HIV transmission. These complication cost communities many millions of dollars; for example in the US it is estimated that premature labour caused by BV alone costs about 1 billion dollars a year. The ....The objective of this research project is to determine if the treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) can be improved. Bacterial vaginosis is one of the most common causes of vaginal discharge in women. It can also have serious consequences, such as premature labour and can also increase the risk of HIV transmission. These complication cost communities many millions of dollars; for example in the US it is estimated that premature labour caused by BV alone costs about 1 billion dollars a year. The currently recommended treatment for BV works well initially (first month about 80% respond) but by 12 months most (60%) have relapsed. This randomised clinical study is investigating new ways to treat BV. The currently recommended arm of treatment (antibiotic metronidazole) is being compared to two other treatments. The second arm of the study involves the use of two antibiotics at once (metronidazole and clindamycin) and the third arm involves the use of a bacterial (lactobacilli) and oestrogen. Lactobacilli are bacteria that may help maintain the normal bacterial (and there by prevent relapse of BV) and oestrogen may have a similar effect. If either of these treatments improved the longer term treatment of BV, very significant benefits would flow to affected women and the community as a whole.Read moreRead less
I aim to use high-quality laboratory science, clinical and social research, and strong public health principles, to address the major health problems of the Asia-Pacific region and improve health through translatable outcomes