Combating Infectious Diseases By Harnessing Macrophage Functions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$688,152.00
Summary
Infectious diseases present a persistent global health threat. For patients with life-threatening diseases caused by bacterial pathogens, antibiotics provide the last resort. Antibiotic resistance, even for newly developed antibiotics, is widespread within the bacterial community. New strategies are urgently needed to combat most bacterial infections. This proposal will investigate a new strategy to train and boost our immune systems to combat infectious diseases.
Toll-like Receptors And Innate Immunity: Genes And Pathways Regulating Infectious And Inflammatory Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$138,367.00
Summary
The innate immune system is the first line of defence against infectious diseases, but also contributes to the pathology of inflammatory diseases (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis). I study specific genes and pathways used by the innate immune system to (1) understand how the innate immune system prevents infections and how microorganisms overcome these defences, and (2) develop approaches to block inflammation. Outcomes may include new therapies for inflammatory and infectious diseases.
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.