The Role Of Noncoding Subgenomic Flavivirus RNA In Virus-host Interactions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$624,429.00
Summary
Flaviviruses such as Dengue, Japanese encephalitis , and West Nile are major human pathogens causing more than 50 million infections per year. Elements in viral genome responsible for pathogenesis of these viruses are not well defined. Recently we have identified a unique for these viruses noncoding subgenomic flavivirus RNA (sfRNA) and showed that it is contributing to viral pathogenesis. In this proposal we aim to determine mechanisms by which sfRNA facilitates viral pathogenesis.
Novel Antivirals For The Treatment Of Hendravirus Infection.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$199,227.00
Summary
Hendravirus outbreaks have become frequent and 7 human cases have been reported, this has resulted in 4 deaths. Currently we have no treatment options. Researchers at Griffith University and the CSIRO have developed a new treatment that attacks the virus by turning off the viral genes at the site of infection. The plan is to treat patients soon after infection to slow or stop the virus and allow patients to recover naturally from this highly lethal disease.
Rhinovirus Protease Subcellular Trafficking And Host Cell Targets; Relevance To Asthma Exacerbation And Vaccine Approaches
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$582,072.00
Summary
Rhinovirus (RV) infections are the major cause of virus induced asthma attacks, causing significant morbidity and mortality. Asthma & asthma exacerbations are increasing worldwide with new strategies urgently needed to reduce RV-associated disease. We aim to build on our substantive new data, using cutting edge technology to identify new targets for novel asthma therapies.
Stealth Liposomes And SiRNA For The Treatment Of Respiratory Viral Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$528,793.00
Summary
Respiratory infections caused by Influenza and Respiratory syncytial virus cause significant hospitalisations and deaths within the community. For example, RSV causes around 1000 hospital admissions of young children a year and there is no cure or vaccination. Therapies are limited and toxic. We will develop and test a novel therapy based on gene silencing to specifically target viral genes, and combine this with our novel drug delivery system for better treatment of these diseases.
The Role Of Noncoding Viral RNAs In Flavivirus Infection And Exosomal Signalling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$683,447.00
Summary
The application is aimed at investigating the novel role for viral noncoding RNAs in exosomal antiviral signalling and associated outcome of infection with West Nile virus. We will identify host enzymes involved in generation of viral noncoding RNAs, determine which host proteins they interact with and how these interactions determine their incorporation into secreted exosomes to influence outcome of infection.
Viral And Host Factors Determining Outcome Of Zika Virus Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$910,780.00
Summary
The proposal aims at identifying viral and host factors determining outcomes of infection with Zika virus, a significant mosquito-transmitted pathogen associated with debilitating neurological pathology in new-borne babies from mothers infected during pregnancy. We will use cutting edge methodologies and infections models to bring our understanding of Zika virus infection to unprecedented level. The results could also facilitate identification of targets for effective anti-viral therapy.
Host Genes Controlling Flavivirus Infection: New Insights And Application For Developing Highly Effective Kunjin Replicon-based Ebola Vaccine
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$736,995.00
Summary
The applications is aimed at identifying new host genes controlling infection with West Nile virus and other medically important flaviviruses such as dengue and Japanese encephalitis. For this, we will use novel in vivo RNAi screening approach with virus libraries encoding artificial microRNAs (amirs) targeting whole mouse genome. We will then apply amiR technology to produce highly effective Kujniin replicon-based Ebola vaccine candidate that has shown promising results in trails in primates.
Retroviral Recombination, RNA Dimers & Multiple Drug Resistant HIV-1
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$405,017.00
Summary
The emergence of multiple drug resistant strains of HIV-1 has threatened the continue success of current clinical treatment to suppress virus propagation. Retroviruses, such as HIV-1, can reshuffle its two copies of genetic materials during the viral replication process, which leads to the production of offspring viruses that contain a mixture of the parental genetic materials. This process of genetic information reshuffling is believed to be important for the generation of multiple drug resista ....The emergence of multiple drug resistant strains of HIV-1 has threatened the continue success of current clinical treatment to suppress virus propagation. Retroviruses, such as HIV-1, can reshuffle its two copies of genetic materials during the viral replication process, which leads to the production of offspring viruses that contain a mixture of the parental genetic materials. This process of genetic information reshuffling is believed to be important for the generation of multiple drug resistant strains of HIV-1. The objective of this proposal is to define the parameters that regulate the reshuffling of HIV-1 genetic materials and to design novel tools to inhibit the production of multiple drug resistant HIV-1.Read moreRead less
Current combination antiviral therapy can't cure an HIV infection because long-lived T-cells carrying latent HIV DNA can rekindle the infection when drugs are removed. We will study elements in HIV genetic code that control expression of HIV proteins from latent HIV. A detailed molecular understanding of the structure and function of these HIV RNA elements and the viral and host cell factors that interact with them will expose new targets for therapy of latent HIV.