Maintaining fidelity in viral Ribonucleic acid (RNA) polymerases. This project will provide informed insights into the dynamics of viruses that currently impact a healthy start to life, ageing well and productively, and preventative healthcare. The analysis of viruses that cause gastroenteritis outbreaks will increase our understanding of how these viruses replicate and spread.
Antigenic analysis of the surface of Cyclospora cayetanensis oocysts. Infection with Cyclospora cayetanensis is an emerging disease that causes significant morbidity in human populations. Although prevalent in developing countries, recent outbreaks in the USA confirm it is now emerging into the developed world. The research described here will analyse and characterise the antigens on the surface of the oocyst of C. cayetanensis which will add significantly to our sparse knowledge on this impor ....Antigenic analysis of the surface of Cyclospora cayetanensis oocysts. Infection with Cyclospora cayetanensis is an emerging disease that causes significant morbidity in human populations. Although prevalent in developing countries, recent outbreaks in the USA confirm it is now emerging into the developed world. The research described here will analyse and characterise the antigens on the surface of the oocyst of C. cayetanensis which will add significantly to our sparse knowledge on this important human parasite. We will also develop the first commercial antibodies and technologies which will rapidly and accurately detect the parasite in human patients and our drinking water supplies, thus securing a global market for Australian technology.Read moreRead less
Development of SELEX technology (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment). A recently developed in vitro genetic selection technique has allowed the isolation of oligonucleotides that can bind target molecules with high affinity and specificity. The strategy know as SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment) uses protein biochemistry and PCR technology, with subsequent repeated rounds of selection and amplification, to screen vast libraries of oligonucle ....Development of SELEX technology (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment). A recently developed in vitro genetic selection technique has allowed the isolation of oligonucleotides that can bind target molecules with high affinity and specificity. The strategy know as SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment) uses protein biochemistry and PCR technology, with subsequent repeated rounds of selection and amplification, to screen vast libraries of oligonucleotides (RNA or DNA) for their ability to bind target proteins. This procedure will be developed by UNSW in collaboration with the biotech company BTF Plc., Ltd., to be used in two applications. The first is the research interest of UNSW and involves the development of aptamers against hepatitis C virus. The second lies within the interests of BTF and will involve the development of aptamers against the water borne pathogen Cryptosporidium parvum.Read moreRead less
Development of an anti-Chlamydia vaccine for the koala. The koala is one of Australia's main icons and a major drawcard for tourists. However, it suffers from debilitating disease due to the bacterium Chlamydia, which can lead to severe conjunctivitis, eventual blindness in both sexes, and the females develop untreatable cysts and can become infertile. This project will develop a Chlamydia vaccine to be administered to healthy and diseased koalas in zoos, sanctuaries, koala care centres, relocat ....Development of an anti-Chlamydia vaccine for the koala. The koala is one of Australia's main icons and a major drawcard for tourists. However, it suffers from debilitating disease due to the bacterium Chlamydia, which can lead to severe conjunctivitis, eventual blindness in both sexes, and the females develop untreatable cysts and can become infertile. This project will develop a Chlamydia vaccine to be administered to healthy and diseased koalas in zoos, sanctuaries, koala care centres, relocation programs and eventually perhaps even wild populations. The vaccine findings may also be transferable to other animals and may also even assist the development of a human Chlamydia vaccine.Read moreRead less
Anthocyanin Inhibitors to the Influenza Virus. The increasing resistance of circulating influenza strains to current anti-viral inhibitors has prompted an investigation to screen, design, synthesize and evaluate a new class of natural product based inhibitors to the virus employing novel and innovative mass spectrometry, computational and structural approaches. Preliminary studies reveal they offer benefits in terms of a different mode of binding to influenza neuraminidase, remote from many know ....Anthocyanin Inhibitors to the Influenza Virus. The increasing resistance of circulating influenza strains to current anti-viral inhibitors has prompted an investigation to screen, design, synthesize and evaluate a new class of natural product based inhibitors to the virus employing novel and innovative mass spectrometry, computational and structural approaches. Preliminary studies reveal they offer benefits in terms of a different mode of binding to influenza neuraminidase, remote from many known resistance mutations, and may have specific practicality against N1 neuraminidase in H1N1 and H5N1 viruses responsible for all pandemics of the 20th and 21st centuries. The research will enable the potential of these inhibitors to be fully assessed at the molecular level for the first time.Read moreRead less
Bacterial filamentation as a survival strategy: a goldmine for the discovery of new cell division regulators. The increasing emergence of untreatable bacterial infections is a serious threat to the health of Australians. Medical advances (organ transplants, chemotherapy), increases in diabetes, and an aging population increase the risk of infections caused by bacteria that are now resistant to most available antibiotics. New classes of antibiotics are urgently needed to treat these infections. T ....Bacterial filamentation as a survival strategy: a goldmine for the discovery of new cell division regulators. The increasing emergence of untreatable bacterial infections is a serious threat to the health of Australians. Medical advances (organ transplants, chemotherapy), increases in diabetes, and an aging population increase the risk of infections caused by bacteria that are now resistant to most available antibiotics. New classes of antibiotics are urgently needed to treat these infections. This project uses a novel approach to identify the mechanisms bacterial cells use to control their growth and avoid attack by our immune system. The research will identify potential targets for the development of new, effective antibiotics to kill multi-resistant bacteria, and ensure Australia's position at the forefront of infection control.Read moreRead less
An interdisciplinary approach to host-pathogen interactions in infection. This project aims to understand the molecular and cellular interactions between host and parasite, as well as providing a quantitative framework for analysing infection dynamics in other systems. Infection involves a complex interaction between the host and the parasite, which is very dynamic and therefore difficult to study by traditional sampling and analysis approaches. This project has combined mathematical modelling w ....An interdisciplinary approach to host-pathogen interactions in infection. This project aims to understand the molecular and cellular interactions between host and parasite, as well as providing a quantitative framework for analysing infection dynamics in other systems. Infection involves a complex interaction between the host and the parasite, which is very dynamic and therefore difficult to study by traditional sampling and analysis approaches. This project has combined mathematical modelling with a novel experimental protocol to allow the study of kinetics of parasite replication in vivo. Expected outcomes will provide significant benefits, such as new avenues for vaccination and immune intervention.Read moreRead less
Understanding the dynamics of malaria infection. Malaria infection kills around one million patients each year and this project involves an interdisciplinary team who will directly measure how the parasite grows and is killed by the immune system. A better understanding of parasite growth and control will help develop better drugs therapy and vaccination for this important infection.
Variation in bacterial genomic mutation rates. Our measurement of global mutation rates will contribute to an understanding of the evolutionary properties of bacteria, the most diverse and successful organisms in the biosphere. Bacterial variation and culture richness contributes not only to ecological processes but also to emerging diseases. The studies will enhance capabilities essential in interpreting the evolution of epidemics and the kinetics of bacterial sweeps in nature. Variation also p ....Variation in bacterial genomic mutation rates. Our measurement of global mutation rates will contribute to an understanding of the evolutionary properties of bacteria, the most diverse and successful organisms in the biosphere. Bacterial variation and culture richness contributes not only to ecological processes but also to emerging diseases. The studies will enhance capabilities essential in interpreting the evolution of epidemics and the kinetics of bacterial sweeps in nature. Variation also provides the source material for exploitation of bacterial products such as antibiotics. The results from understanding a complete set of mutational changes through genomic analysis will provide the most direct estimates of variation in evolving bacteria.Read moreRead less
Investigating the Ability of Honey to Inhibit Bacterial Biofilms Found in Chronic Wounds. Chronic (non-healing) wounds are a serious health problem in Australia. One quarter of our institutionalized aged population have pressure ulcers. The difficulty in treating these wounds is that most contain communities of bacteria, called biofilms, that are not killed by conventional antibiotics. Special honeys from Australia and NZ that are effective in chronic wound treatment can eradicate these biofilms ....Investigating the Ability of Honey to Inhibit Bacterial Biofilms Found in Chronic Wounds. Chronic (non-healing) wounds are a serious health problem in Australia. One quarter of our institutionalized aged population have pressure ulcers. The difficulty in treating these wounds is that most contain communities of bacteria, called biofilms, that are not killed by conventional antibiotics. Special honeys from Australia and NZ that are effective in chronic wound treatment can eradicate these biofilms. This project will identify the components in honey that do this and determine how they do it, to provide a more effective chronic wound treatment. It will decrease the prevalence of these wounds in Australia and the associated personal trauma and health costs.Read moreRead less