Targeting Complement C5a Receptor 2 As A Disease-modifying Treatment For Motor Neuron Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$636,329.00
Summary
Motor neuron disease (MND) is a devasting terminal condition that has no effective treatment. We have identified a novel drug which inhibits an immune protein that can potentially treat MND. In this project we will test this drug in rodent models of MND, and validate its effectiveness in relevant MND immune cells. Ultimately, this project will identify a new potential drug for MND.
Preclinical Development Of Complement C5aR Antagonists For The Treatment Of Motor Neuron Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$593,326.00
Summary
There is no cure for Motor Neuron Disease (MND) resulting in 2 Australian’s dying each day. Modification of the inflammation is one potential means of slowing MND. Our research team has identified a new series of potent anti-inflammatory compounds that may have potential to treat this disease. Our project will test these compounds in animal models of MND, and validate their usefulness in human MND samples. Ultimately, this work may contribute to the discovery of a new treatment for MND.
Production Of Large Scale Erythroid Progenitor Cultures From Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$396,718.00
Summary
Transfusion of fresh red blood cell units of the correct blood type into patients can be life saving. However, access to units of the correct blood type is often limited due to limited supply of donor blood and its short shelf life creating the need for a constant donor blood supply. We propose to develop a system that allows us to generate unlimited numbers of human red blood cells in a culture dish which we will derive from differentiating human embryonic stem cell lines.
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.
Even in well-resourced countries, the ability to continue treating HIV patients for their lifetime may become unaffordable, which has focused attention on developing a cure for HIV. We have exploited unique insights into a pathway for Tat expression from latent HIV to identify novel compounds that target HIV latency. This project assembles a multidisciplinary team to optimize the lead compounds, and develop novel drug regimens to fast-track into clinical development as a HIV-curative therapy.
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.