Blood Group Antigen Recognition By Group A Streptococcus Mediates Host Colonisation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,821.00
Summary
Group A streptococcus (GAS) is responsible for approximately 700 million cases of localised infection and 600,000 cases of invasive infection globally each year. Certain bacteria have been shown to recognise sugars (known as glycans) on host cells. This project will look at how GAS use sugars at the surface of host cells to initiate disease, and determine if differences in the types of sugars present on host cells alter the ability of GAS to initiate infection.
A Novel Paradigm For Immunity And Vaccine Development Against Group A Streptococcus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$491,229.00
Summary
Serious disease caused by the group A streptococcus (GAS) is responsible for more than 500,000 deaths per year. With no effective control strategies available, a vaccine is urgently needed. One vaccine shows great promise, but there are concerns it may not cover all GAS strains. Our project aims to show that the vaccine may in fact have very broad coverage because of cross-protection between strains using natural immunity model, and may lead to a new paradigm in understanding of GAS immunity.
Towards A Rational Strategy For Osteoarthritis Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$945,993.00
Summary
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, causing disability and chronic pain, for which there are no adequate treatments. Our laboratory has shown that a particular protein is involved in inflammatory arthritis and pain. Blocking this protein in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is showing success. In this project we will carry out some preclinical studies to determine whether blockade of this protein may also be a therapeutic target for osteoarthritis pain and disease.