Transport and innate immune properties of DNA in bacterial nano-sized vesicles. All types of living organisms release nano-sized membrane vesicles or “blebs” which they use for intercellular communication and transport of molecules. This project will determine how bacteria package DNA within these vesicles, how this DNA is transported into host cells and how it triggers immune responses in these cells.
Autotransporter proteins of Escherichia coli. Autoransporters are a novel class of proteins associated with bacterial virulence properties such as adhesion, invasion and biofilm formation. Despite this, limited information is available on their functional role. The aim of this project is to characterize several of the autotransporter proteins from pathogenic E. coli. The likely contribution of these proteins to infection suggests that they are potential targets for strain attenuation and vaccine ....Autotransporter proteins of Escherichia coli. Autoransporters are a novel class of proteins associated with bacterial virulence properties such as adhesion, invasion and biofilm formation. Despite this, limited information is available on their functional role. The aim of this project is to characterize several of the autotransporter proteins from pathogenic E. coli. The likely contribution of these proteins to infection suggests that they are potential targets for strain attenuation and vaccine strain construction. Many of these proteins also mediate bacterial aggregation and are therefore targets for novel drugs that inhibit this process. The project will be carried out with a high profile partner from Denmark and will provide opportunity for travel and technology development. 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.
A fundamental study of the role of signal transduction pathways in the regulation of Chlamydia's complex developmental cycle. Chlamydia are unique organisms in the microbial world. They are among the smallest bacteria and yet have a complex two-stage developmental cycle. In addition they are major causes of disease in animals and humans with no vaccines available. We have used the recent flood of full genome sequence data to identify over 30 new cell signalling proteins. By understanding how the ....A fundamental study of the role of signal transduction pathways in the regulation of Chlamydia's complex developmental cycle. Chlamydia are unique organisms in the microbial world. They are among the smallest bacteria and yet have a complex two-stage developmental cycle. In addition they are major causes of disease in animals and humans with no vaccines available. We have used the recent flood of full genome sequence data to identify over 30 new cell signalling proteins. By understanding how these cell signaling proteins are organized into pathways and how this microorganism controls its complex growth and developmental cycle, we will be able to develop novel methods of control. We are at the fore front of international research and therefore uniquely placed to conduct this project.Read moreRead less
Detection of imported exotic strains of West Nile virus for national biosecurity surveillance. West Nile virus (WNV) is transmitted by mosquitoes and causes a fatal disease of the brain in animals and humans. WNV is currently exotic to this country, however a closely related, but benign cousin of this virus (Kunjin) can be found in Northern Australia. Currently it is very difficult to differentiate between infections with WNV and Kunjin using standard laboratory tests, therefore it will be diff ....Detection of imported exotic strains of West Nile virus for national biosecurity surveillance. West Nile virus (WNV) is transmitted by mosquitoes and causes a fatal disease of the brain in animals and humans. WNV is currently exotic to this country, however a closely related, but benign cousin of this virus (Kunjin) can be found in Northern Australia. Currently it is very difficult to differentiate between infections with WNV and Kunjin using standard laboratory tests, therefore it will be difficult for public health officials to detect WNV if it is introduced to Australia. In this project we aim to develop more accurate laboratory tests to detect infections with the deadly, exotic WNV using new strategies. Read moreRead less
New guardians of the mucosa: Molecular characterisation of M cell biology. We aim to completely define the cellular and molecular biology of gut and lung M cells for the first time. We will elucidate how they develop, are regulated and function at a molecular level, and how M cells maintain normal gut and lung tissues and induce immune responses to protect against microbial challenges. In the future, the new insights will be essential pre-requisites for the development of mucosal-based intervent ....New guardians of the mucosa: Molecular characterisation of M cell biology. We aim to completely define the cellular and molecular biology of gut and lung M cells for the first time. We will elucidate how they develop, are regulated and function at a molecular level, and how M cells maintain normal gut and lung tissues and induce immune responses to protect against microbial challenges. In the future, the new insights will be essential pre-requisites for the development of mucosal-based interventions and vaccines that protect the gut and lung from infectious and inflammatory issues. The harnessing of effective immune responses to control such challenges, are of enormous fundamental and long-standing biological interest, and are amongst the most important areas of current scientific research.Read moreRead less
Kernel methods for the analysis of whole bacterial genomes. This project addresses the fundamental scientific problem of the identification of regulatory regions and specific promoters within bacterial genomes, with a focus upon two organisms of great social, economic and bioterrism significance. From the machine learning perspective, the project will be the first to produce a kernel-based approach directly tailored to the problem of the detection of regulatory regions. The methods developed wil ....Kernel methods for the analysis of whole bacterial genomes. This project addresses the fundamental scientific problem of the identification of regulatory regions and specific promoters within bacterial genomes, with a focus upon two organisms of great social, economic and bioterrism significance. From the machine learning perspective, the project will be the first to produce a kernel-based approach directly tailored to the problem of the detection of regulatory regions. The methods developed will be made available through a straightforward web-based interface, allowing biologists throughout the world to utilize the approach as a tool to be applied to a progressively widening class of bacterial genomes, and even to eukaryotes. Read moreRead less
Autotransporter proteins of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7. Escherichi (E.) coli O157:H7 has caused hundreds of outbreaks in the United States and United Kingdom. Although not currently a major problem in Australia, the emergence of E. coli O157:H7 here would have serious implications for our meat and livestock industry. This study will provide important information for the selection of vaccine antigens used to prevent the colonisation of cattle with E. coli O157:H7 and other diarrho ....Autotransporter proteins of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7. Escherichi (E.) coli O157:H7 has caused hundreds of outbreaks in the United States and United Kingdom. Although not currently a major problem in Australia, the emergence of E. coli O157:H7 here would have serious implications for our meat and livestock industry. This study will provide important information for the selection of vaccine antigens used to prevent the colonisation of cattle with E. coli O157:H7 and other diarrhoeagenic E. coli serotypes. A direct outcome of this will be improved human health, as E. coli O157:H7 can cause life threatening infections in humans. The study will also examine the contribution of specific adhesins to biofilm formation; measures to prevent biofilm formation may reduce the persistence and spread of E. coli O157:H7 in the environment.Read moreRead less
Containing H5N1: the role of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and East Asian states. International cooperation through the World Health Organisation (WHO) is seen as a primary defence mechanism for protecting countries from the spread of infectious diseases. By studying the efficacy of WHO's mechanisms for forging international cooperation, this project will provide new insight on the effectiveness of international measures for preventing the spread of infectious disease and the possibilitie ....Containing H5N1: the role of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and East Asian states. International cooperation through the World Health Organisation (WHO) is seen as a primary defence mechanism for protecting countries from the spread of infectious diseases. By studying the efficacy of WHO's mechanisms for forging international cooperation, this project will provide new insight on the effectiveness of international measures for preventing the spread of infectious disease and the possibilities for improving those measures. A pandemic influenza would have a devastating impact on Australia. With the threat of H5N1 becoming a pandemic influenza, the possible failure of cooperation between states and WHO makes this study of crucial importance to the Australian government.Read moreRead less