The biosynthesis of structural proteins in parasites. The socio-economic impact of parasitic diseases, in Australia and throughout the world, is enormous- they kill 2-3 million people per year and cost livestock industries billions of dollars per annum. Some are serious food and waterborne threats, such as the coccidia, because they are transmitted from person-to-person via the faecal-oral route, or via ingestion of contaminated water or food, or through the ingestion of cysts in raw or underco ....The biosynthesis of structural proteins in parasites. The socio-economic impact of parasitic diseases, in Australia and throughout the world, is enormous- they kill 2-3 million people per year and cost livestock industries billions of dollars per annum. Some are serious food and waterborne threats, such as the coccidia, because they are transmitted from person-to-person via the faecal-oral route, or via ingestion of contaminated water or food, or through the ingestion of cysts in raw or undercooked meat. They cause diarrhoea, which in some cases, can be life-threatening. We will understand how the coccidia protect themselves as they move from host to host and, through that understanding, develop new ways to control them and eliminate the suffering caused by parasitic diseases.Read moreRead less
New drugs for malaria that target histone deacetylases. There is no vaccine for malaria and current drugs are failing, contributing to millions of malaria-related deaths each year. The aim of this project is to develop new drugs to address this significant global health issue. This project will focus on drugs that act in novel ways to existing malaria drugs by targeting enzymes that are involved in altering gene expression in the parasite. These kinds of enzymes are recognised drug targets in ot ....New drugs for malaria that target histone deacetylases. There is no vaccine for malaria and current drugs are failing, contributing to millions of malaria-related deaths each year. The aim of this project is to develop new drugs to address this significant global health issue. This project will focus on drugs that act in novel ways to existing malaria drugs by targeting enzymes that are involved in altering gene expression in the parasite. These kinds of enzymes are recognised drug targets in other diseases such as cancer. The outcomes of this project will include advances in malaria drug development that build on Australian drug discovery efforts, seeding further funding opportunities from industry and other sources and contributing research training and capacity building in Australia.Read moreRead less
Unravelling The Tetraspanin Web In The Schistosome Tegument.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$309,537.00
Summary
Infection with the human blood fluke, Schistosoma mansoni, is a major human ailment affecting almost 200 million people world wide and causing approximately 200 000 deaths per year. Current control efforts rely on anthelminthic drugs but, to sustain their effects, they must be applied for an indefinite period of time due to reinfection. This project will extend recent efforts to develop a vaccine for this organism and decrease the public health burden and mortality associated with infection.
Transcriptional control of antigenic variation in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Malaria is a major health concern for the Australian Defence Personnel recently deployed in East Timor, Afghanistan and the Solomon Islands and is endemic in our immediate neighbours Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Australia is susceptible to malaria and climate change could extend the mosquitos range to large population centres of Northern Australia causing malaria in Australia. This study would clarif ....Transcriptional control of antigenic variation in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Malaria is a major health concern for the Australian Defence Personnel recently deployed in East Timor, Afghanistan and the Solomon Islands and is endemic in our immediate neighbours Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Australia is susceptible to malaria and climate change could extend the mosquitos range to large population centres of Northern Australia causing malaria in Australia. This study would clarify how malaria parasites evade the host's immune response and help to protect Australia by providing drug targets for the control of this invasive disease.Read moreRead less
Gastrointestinal parasites and their diagnosis. Gastrointestinal disease such as diarrhoea, abdominal pain and irritable bowel syndrome are common in the Australian population and there are a wide variety of causes, including potentially parasites. The parasite Dientamoeba fragilis has, until recently, been overlooked as a cause of human disease, but recent studies have confirmed its role as a pathogen. This project seeks to improve the diagnosis of this organism in faeces and this development ....Gastrointestinal parasites and their diagnosis. Gastrointestinal disease such as diarrhoea, abdominal pain and irritable bowel syndrome are common in the Australian population and there are a wide variety of causes, including potentially parasites. The parasite Dientamoeba fragilis has, until recently, been overlooked as a cause of human disease, but recent studies have confirmed its role as a pathogen. This project seeks to improve the diagnosis of this organism in faeces and this development will allow effective treatment to be used in patients thereby ameliorating disease.Read moreRead less
Drug targets in malaria parasites. Malaria is rampant throughout our Region and hinders the economies of our neighbours reducing regional prosperity and stability. Australian security and aid personnel deployed in the Region contract malaria infections and global warming could bring malaria-carrying mosquitoes south to Sydney. Australia is pre-eminent in malaria research, making lead discoveries in vaccine and drug development. However, we lack crucial resources to study the parasite in the mo ....Drug targets in malaria parasites. Malaria is rampant throughout our Region and hinders the economies of our neighbours reducing regional prosperity and stability. Australian security and aid personnel deployed in the Region contract malaria infections and global warming could bring malaria-carrying mosquitoes south to Sydney. Australia is pre-eminent in malaria research, making lead discoveries in vaccine and drug development. However, we lack crucial resources to study the parasite in the mosquito phase of its life cycle. The Federation Fellowship will create a malaria mosquito facility to redress this crucial gap in our capability. The Fellowship will double as foreign aid investment by enhancing our capacity to protect ourselves as well as supporting our neighbours.Read moreRead less
SBP1 And Altered Structure And Function Of Malaria-infected Red Blood Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$439,550.00
Summary
Malaria is a serious disease affecting half the world's population. Every year, more than a million people (mostly children) die as a result of being infected with malaria parasites. Our work will help us to understand how the parasites alter normal human red blood cells and make them stick in organs such as the brain. Preventing the red blood cells from becoming sticky with new drugs will open up new lines of attack to combat this devastating disease.
Functional proteomics of Giardia. This project will use the latest tools for dissecting and comparing genes and their protein products from one of the most common parasites infecting people, their pets, livestock and wildlife. This protozoan parasite Giardia is also of evolutionary and biological significance in terms of understanding the origin of higher animals from bacteria as well as fundamental questions about the parasitic way of life. Giardia proteins will be identified and characterised ....Functional proteomics of Giardia. This project will use the latest tools for dissecting and comparing genes and their protein products from one of the most common parasites infecting people, their pets, livestock and wildlife. This protozoan parasite Giardia is also of evolutionary and biological significance in terms of understanding the origin of higher animals from bacteria as well as fundamental questions about the parasitic way of life. Giardia proteins will be identified and characterised on the basis of their value in understanding disease processes and treatment, and by working with appropriate industry partners, proteins of commercial value will be exploited.Read moreRead less
The Role Of Chemokine Networks In Severe Malaria And The Control Of Parasite Density
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$620,731.00
Summary
Two contributing factors have been identified as the main determinants of severe malaria: high parasite densities and host inflammatory responses. To date it is not clear whether inflammation is a cause or a consequence of high parasite densities. We have identified a new biomarker (IP-10) of disease severity in a malaria-endemic area of Papua New Guinea that is associated with high parasite densities. Here we will decipher the mechanisms by which IP-10 contributes to the development of high par ....Two contributing factors have been identified as the main determinants of severe malaria: high parasite densities and host inflammatory responses. To date it is not clear whether inflammation is a cause or a consequence of high parasite densities. We have identified a new biomarker (IP-10) of disease severity in a malaria-endemic area of Papua New Guinea that is associated with high parasite densities. Here we will decipher the mechanisms by which IP-10 contributes to the development of high parasite burden and severe malaria.Read moreRead less
Brain metabolic changes in experimental malaria: a paradigm for the molecular mechanisms of intravascular inflammation. Malaria is endemic in countries directly to the north of Australia, as close as Papua New Guinea and East Timor. This project's findings about malaria also will have relevance to other infectious diseases of national importance. The outcomes will contribute to Australia's research reputation. We will build international links that will increase the national knowledge base and r ....Brain metabolic changes in experimental malaria: a paradigm for the molecular mechanisms of intravascular inflammation. Malaria is endemic in countries directly to the north of Australia, as close as Papua New Guinea and East Timor. This project's findings about malaria also will have relevance to other infectious diseases of national importance. The outcomes will contribute to Australia's research reputation. We will build international links that will increase the national knowledge base and research skill base. Young scientists will be trained in state-of-the-art research techniques in a cross-disciplinary environment that is the way of future biological research. The project may identify potential drug targets for malaria or other infectious diseases. The Intellectual Property will be protected and commercialised.Read moreRead less