Nutrition shapes the relationship between genes and health, and failure to attain dietary balance has profound biological consequences leading to disease. This Application proposes an integrated program that harnesses advances in nutritional theory, systems metabolism, and data modelling that evaluates the effects of macro- and micro-nutrients on mice, cells and humans. This will provide the scientific foundations necessary for the development of evidence-based precision nutrition.
The Elimination Of Hepatitis C As A Global Public Health Threat
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$7,001,475.00
Summary
In Australia over 230,000 people live with chronic HCV infection, with an estimated annual health care cost of over > $6.5 billion if left untreated. New highly effective HCV medications - direct acting antivirals (DAAs) have a cure rate of > 90%. DAAs will revolutionise HCV care - we can now stop HCV related deaths and transmission making HCV elimination possible. This Program Grant will directly contribute to the global response to HCV elimination and Australia achieving elimination by 2 ....In Australia over 230,000 people live with chronic HCV infection, with an estimated annual health care cost of over > $6.5 billion if left untreated. New highly effective HCV medications - direct acting antivirals (DAAs) have a cure rate of > 90%. DAAs will revolutionise HCV care - we can now stop HCV related deaths and transmission making HCV elimination possible. This Program Grant will directly contribute to the global response to HCV elimination and Australia achieving elimination by 2030.Read moreRead less
The development of cures, vaccines and better treatments for HIV/AIDS is an urgent global health priority. This team of seven groups in Sydney and Melbourne will study how HIV can lie dormant in some parts of the body, evading eradication by HIV therapy, as well as how the immune system responds to the virus. This will allow for design of novel vaccines and treatments. The researchers have skills in basic virology and immunology, and translating laboratory findings into human clinical trials.
Optimisation Of Wolbachia Based Control Strategies To Reduce Dengue Incidence And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$6,073,640.00
Summary
The project will build on recent advances in the use of Wolbachia infected mosquitoes to limit dengue transmission. Key outcomes will include improved understanding of Wolbachia spread after release, development of techniques for regional spread, understanding the epidemiology of dengue transmission in Vietnam and preparing a panel of new Wolbachia:A. aegypti strain combinations for evaluation for implementation programs.
The Australian MRI-Linac Program: Transforming The Science And Clinical Practice Of Cancer Radiotherapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$7,001,475.00
Summary
Radiotherapy is indicated for 48% of cancer patients. The Australian MRI-Linac Program will change the science and clinical practice of radiotherapy by explicitly targeting the dynamic anatomy and physiology of cancer, increasing cancer control and decreasing treatment side effects. Successful completion of this program will have a direct impact on the treatment and lives of Australian cancer patients in the foreseeable future.
Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya are viral diseases transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. Our research uses a naturally-occurring bacteria, Wolbachia, to stop mosquitoes transmitting these viruses to humans. Our proposal addresses critical knowledge gaps in the biology of mosquitoes and Wolbachia to enable large-scale field-deployment optimisation in affected countries. The outcome of our research will immediately translate to disease control efforts in northern Australia, Asia and Latin America.
The lymphocyte plays a vital role in our immune defence. When lymphocytes encounter a foreign invader, such as a virus, they make a series of decisions that influence the strength, type, and longevity of the immunity created. This program aims to understand how lymphocytes make decisions at the molecular level that affect cell and whole of system level behaviour. We aim to improve vaccines and understand diseases such as allergy, lupus, arthritis and leukaemia to develop novel therapies.
New Interventions To Control Sexually Transmitted Infections And Their Consequences
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,807,896.00
Summary
Sexually transmitted infections are important causes of illness and death in Australia and globally. Populations particularly affected in Australia include young people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and homosexual men. We have established a highly successful collaboration between two leading centres, that will discover new information about the biology of infection, and assess new clinical strategies for preventing and treating these infections and their consequences