Generation Of Protective Immunity Against Severe Influenza Disease In Indigenous Australians
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,630,970.00
Summary
Hospitalisation and death rates from influenza are high in the Indigenous population, especially when a new virus emerges. There is an urgent need for a vaccine that protects against all influenza strains. T cells recognising conserved viral regions elicit such protection. As T cells are restricted by proteins called HLAs, which vary across ethnicities, we will define T cell regions for HLAs prominent in Indigenous Australians and define how to generate protective immunity against influenza.
Long range interactions of atoms. Atomic physics is often described as both a basic and enabling discipline and the present project on long range atomic interactions fits within both of those categories. The results of the project will lead to a more thorough understanding of the details of long range atom-atom interactions. This will lead to Australian expertise making a significant contribution in a number of cutting edge areas in atomic and molecular physics.
Application of variational methods in atomic and molecular physics. Atmoic physics is both a basic an enabling science and this project will improve fundamental knowledge about the interactions of electrons and positrons with atoms and molecules. Research will be directly relevant to the activities of the National Positron Beam-Line (located at the Australian National University) which is directed to break-through research in matter-antimatter interactions and materials characterisation.
....Application of variational methods in atomic and molecular physics. Atmoic physics is both a basic an enabling science and this project will improve fundamental knowledge about the interactions of electrons and positrons with atoms and molecules. Research will be directly relevant to the activities of the National Positron Beam-Line (located at the Australian National University) which is directed to break-through research in matter-antimatter interactions and materials characterisation.
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Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0453256
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$512,573.00
Summary
National Positron Beamline Facility. We shall construct an experimental facility for the study of positron interactions with atoms, molecules and condensed matter. It will
- Provide a unique Australian facility for the study of positron interactions with matter
- Provide benchmark data for low energy positron interactions with atoms and molecules and a reference point for theoretical calculations
- Provide Australian materials scientists with a new tool for the development of novel material ....National Positron Beamline Facility. We shall construct an experimental facility for the study of positron interactions with atoms, molecules and condensed matter. It will
- Provide a unique Australian facility for the study of positron interactions with matter
- Provide benchmark data for low energy positron interactions with atoms and molecules and a reference point for theoretical calculations
- Provide Australian materials scientists with a new tool for the development of novel materials and thin film technology
- Provide new insight on the mechanisms of positron binding to matter
- Address a National Research Priority: Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries.
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Diseases caused by the pneumococcus represent the largest cause of vaccine preventable death in the world today, mainly pneumonia and meningitis. In 2011, 16 developing countries will introduce pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, none in east Asia. Lack of research has been a major barrier to their use in the region. We have established an international centre of excellence in the field and we seek support to extend the capacity of this group and to transfer the technology to Vietnam.
Impact Of DTP Schedules On The Immunogenicity Of 2 Doses Of 13v-PCV Followed By An Early Booster
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,651,687.00
Summary
This project aims to come up with a vaccination schedule to make pneumococcal vaccines more effective and affordable for Fiji and other developing countries. We will evaluate schedules involving a 2 dose primary series in early infancy with a booster at 9 months of age. We will compare the immune responses to 3 different primary series and 2 booster options. The results of this project will be used to provide advice, at global and country levels, regarding introduction of pneumococcal vaccines.
Can Skin Infection With Group A Streptococcus Cause Acute Rheumatic Fever?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$459,450.00
Summary
It is traditionally taught that the cause of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is always infection of the throat with the bacterium group A streptococcus (GAS). However, in Aboriginal communities of the Top End of the Northern Territory the incidence of ARF is the highest reported in the world, yet GAS is uncommonly isolated from the throat. There is further information to suggest that GAS skin sores may underlie many cases of ARF. If this were proven, it would completely alter the traditional view of ....It is traditionally taught that the cause of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is always infection of the throat with the bacterium group A streptococcus (GAS). However, in Aboriginal communities of the Top End of the Northern Territory the incidence of ARF is the highest reported in the world, yet GAS is uncommonly isolated from the throat. There is further information to suggest that GAS skin sores may underlie many cases of ARF. If this were proven, it would completely alter the traditional view of the cause of ARF, and have important implications for prevention of ARF around the world. Presently, these approaches focus on diagnosing and treating sore throat, but no country has proven that such a program can be successful in substantially reducing new cases of ARF. If it was known that skin infection could lead to ARF, then countries (including Australia) could emphasise the importance of skin health programs. A further benefit of this knowledge would be to influence GAS vaccine development, which presently is largely focused on the prevention of sore throat. A different possibility has recently been raised - that the cause of ARF may not always be GAS, but instead that the related bacteria GCS and GGS may have the potential to cause this disease. Proof of this hypothesis would even more dramatically alter our understanding of disease causation, prevention, and vaccine development. We propose to determine the cause of ARF in Aboriginal communities by regularly swabbing families of people with a history of ARF, and using genetic fingerprinting of the bacteria from the skin and throat swabs. When cases of ARF occur, we will be able to determine the site and type of infection that precipitated the attack. We will conduct a related study in more communities, in which we will swab family members of people with ARF and of control families (without ARF) to determine the bacteria most commonly isolated from ARF families.Read moreRead less