Viral Factors Involved In Flavivirus Replication And Virus-host Interactions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$743,696.00
Summary
With our increased understanding of virus-host interactions it has become apparent that small, non-structural proteins and small RNAs of most viruses are vital for numerous, often multiple, functions in the viral life cycle. In the proposed project, we seek to gain a detailed understanding of the functions of small nonstructural protein NS2A and small abundant viral RNAs of medicaly important encephalitic flaviviruses, which have remained so far elusive and are at the cutting-edge in the researc ....With our increased understanding of virus-host interactions it has become apparent that small, non-structural proteins and small RNAs of most viruses are vital for numerous, often multiple, functions in the viral life cycle. In the proposed project, we seek to gain a detailed understanding of the functions of small nonstructural protein NS2A and small abundant viral RNAs of medicaly important encephalitic flaviviruses, which have remained so far elusive and are at the cutting-edge in the research field. We anticipate that with a better understanding of the roles of these factors in flaviviral replication and pathogenesis, novel targets for antiviral therapies and-or molecular determinants for inclusion in candidate vaccines will be identified.Read moreRead less
Elucidating The Mechanism Of Action Of Dendrimer Nanoparticles Against HIV
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$559,354.00
Summary
Dendrimers are nanoparticles with highly branched structures and they are being developed as topical microbicides to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV. This study will determine how dendrimers block HIV entry into host cells so that we can design more effective inhibitors and microbicides.
CHARACTERISATION OF NOVEL PICORNAVIRUS-LIKE VIRUSES IDENTIFIED FROM PATIENTS WITH ACUTE RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$366,998.00
Summary
The common cold and serious chest colds are usually due to viral infections, and mostly occur in children. Unfortunately we can only be certain of the virus causing this illness in as little as 15% of cases. We intend to address this lack of research by examining, in detail, a new virus we recently identified in a child with serious respiratory illness that required admission to hospital. Testing by our laboratory suggests that the new virus is related to picornaviruses (which cause some common ....The common cold and serious chest colds are usually due to viral infections, and mostly occur in children. Unfortunately we can only be certain of the virus causing this illness in as little as 15% of cases. We intend to address this lack of research by examining, in detail, a new virus we recently identified in a child with serious respiratory illness that required admission to hospital. Testing by our laboratory suggests that the new virus is related to picornaviruses (which cause some common colds) but seems to be present in children with far more serious illness. Our study plans to more completely identify the new picornavirus-like virus (PLV) using the tools of molecular biology and the expertise of a senior team of Australian scientists and clinicians who have recently made several virus discoveries in Australia, demonstrating that Australian virus research is capable of achieving highly competitive results that benefit our hospitals and especially their young patients. Our studies will develop extremely sensitive tests which rely on the detection of very small amounts of the viral genome. We can use these tests to determine what the whole virus looks like, when it might occur during the year and whether the PLV are found worldwide. Our studies will also produce viral proteins in the laboratory and use these to make new tests for stored blood samples. If a blood sample comes from a patient who has previously been infected by PLV, their blood will contain specific antibodies which we will then be able to detect. We also intend to determine whether some strains of PLV are more or less likely to cause serious illness than others. Improved understanding of these and other viruses minimises the chance of illness spreading within a hospital, helps scientists to decide against which viruses to design vaccines and drugs and aids medical doctors to better identify what once went undiagnosed.Read moreRead less