Wrong Parasite, Wrong Host? How Plasmodium Falciparum Erythrocyte Membrane Protein 1 Expression And The Host’s Innate Immune Response Combine To Influence The Inflammatory Response To Malaria In Vitro And In Vivo. Implications For Severe Malaria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$707,821.00
Summary
One factor that determines whether some children die of malaria is the type of protein that the parasite expresses on the red blood cell, to help it stick in blood vessels. Our new data suggests that some proteins stimulate excessive host immune response, possibly leading to severe malaria. People's immne response to malaria varies too, and we will discover whether severe malaria occurs when a dangerous parasite strain infects a susceptible host causing an excessive immune response, harming the ....One factor that determines whether some children die of malaria is the type of protein that the parasite expresses on the red blood cell, to help it stick in blood vessels. Our new data suggests that some proteins stimulate excessive host immune response, possibly leading to severe malaria. People's immne response to malaria varies too, and we will discover whether severe malaria occurs when a dangerous parasite strain infects a susceptible host causing an excessive immune response, harming the child.Read moreRead less
Helminth Secretomes: From Vaccines To Novel Anti-inflammatory Biologics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$938,910.00
Summary
Billions of people in developing countries are infected with parasitic worms, but they have been eradicated from industrialised nations. Humans co-evolved with worms, so their recent removal has deprived us of signals required to keep inflammation in check. My research focuses on worm molecules that can be used to (1) develop vaccines to combat these parasitic infections in developing countries, and (2) as a novel platform of anti-inflammatory therapeutics for use in industrialised nations.
Export Of Effector Proteins By P. Falciparum To The Infected Erythrocyte.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$196,582.00
Summary
Infection by the malaria parasite has lethal consequences for humans. In order to survive the parasite exports hundreds of proteins to commandeer the erythrocyte. A translocon that mediates such export has been identified and important questions remain unanswered. In this research, I aim to determine the function of one of the major translocon components for export of proteins to the erythrocyte (EXP2) and through this process determine if it is a viable target for anti-malarial drug development ....Infection by the malaria parasite has lethal consequences for humans. In order to survive the parasite exports hundreds of proteins to commandeer the erythrocyte. A translocon that mediates such export has been identified and important questions remain unanswered. In this research, I aim to determine the function of one of the major translocon components for export of proteins to the erythrocyte (EXP2) and through this process determine if it is a viable target for anti-malarial drug development.Read moreRead less
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
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
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
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354678
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$20,000.00
Summary
Australian Initiative for Malaria (AIM). Malaria is a major global health problem with 500 million people infected and 2-3 million deaths per year. Australia has an extraordinary capacity in malaria research publishing more papers per capita than any other country. The Australian Initiative for Malaria will weld this critical mass into a stronger and more cohesive unit better able to capitalise on new developments in malaria research and will allow us to tackle the enormous problem malaria pre ....Australian Initiative for Malaria (AIM). Malaria is a major global health problem with 500 million people infected and 2-3 million deaths per year. Australia has an extraordinary capacity in malaria research publishing more papers per capita than any other country. The Australian Initiative for Malaria will weld this critical mass into a stronger and more cohesive unit better able to capitalise on new developments in malaria research and will allow us to tackle the enormous problem malaria presents to our region. We will integrate our research expertise with regional laboratories in PNG, E Timor, Solomon Is, Indonesia and Thailand.Read moreRead less
Identifying the major targets of protective antibodies against malaria. This project aims to understand how immunity to malaria develops and to use this knowledge to develop effective vaccines against malaria. The development of a malaria vaccine would be of great value in Australia's region where malaria is a leading cause of death and illness and impairs economic development. The project will advance our knowledge of how the immune system fights infections and will contribute to building Austr ....Identifying the major targets of protective antibodies against malaria. This project aims to understand how immunity to malaria develops and to use this knowledge to develop effective vaccines against malaria. The development of a malaria vaccine would be of great value in Australia's region where malaria is a leading cause of death and illness and impairs economic development. The project will advance our knowledge of how the immune system fights infections and will contribute to building Australia's strength in infectious diseases research and developing strategies to combat important infections. The project will help build and maintain expertise in developing vaccines in Australia and the approaches used and knowledge gained will be applicable to understanding and combating other important infections.Read moreRead less
Exported Malaria Kinases And Red Blood Cell Remodeling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,710.00
Summary
Malaria is a serious disease affecting half the world's population and every year, more than a million people (mostly children) die as a result of the infection. Our work will help us to understand how malaria parasites alter human red blood cells and make them stick in organs such as the brain. Preventing infected red cells from becoming stiff and sticky by developing new drugs will open up new lines of attack to combat this devastating disease.