Copper And Its Antibacterial Action: An Emerging Aspect Of Host Defence Against Bacterial Pathogens
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$454,858.00
Summary
This project will determine the way in which copper is used as an antimicrobial agent to kill Salmonella that reside inside the macrophage (white blood cell) of the host and also determine how Salmonella defends against copper-dependent killing. It will also determine the role of copper in the killing of extra-intestinal pathogens during sepsis. These results will provide information that can be used to manage and control infections intracellular and extracellular bacterial pathogens.
I am a physician-scientist whose research involves the role of monocyte-macrophages in HIV pathogenesis and low cost methods for monitoring HIV infection in resource-constrained countries
Processes Underlying Establishment And Maintenance Of The Latent HIV Resevoir And Potential Impact Of Integrase Inhibitors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,044.00
Summary
Therapy for HIV-infected individuals is currently able to control the growth of the virus, but cannot eradicate the viral infection. This is due to a pool of CD4+ T lymphocytes which contain HIV DNA in a latent state, ready to reactivate as soon as therapy is interrupted. This project aims to better understand how this pool of latently infected CD4+ T lymphocytes is established and maintained, particularly how it is linked to the essential T cell survival signal from interleukin 7.
Role Of HtrA And RseP, Stress Response Proteases, In Development And Persistence Of Chlamydia Trachomatis Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$389,984.00
Summary
This project will research the most commonly reported bacterial sexually transmitted infection Chlamydia trachomatis. Bacterial proteins which could play a role in chronic infections of humans will be investigated. Proteins will be biologically examined to determine their role during disease. This may identify proteins which could be used for diagnostic and therapeutic tools to prevent chronic Chlamydia infection (which can result in infertility and other serious conditions).
Understanding The Importance Of Panton-Valentine Leukocidin Production In Australian Isolates Of Staphylococcus Aureus.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$118,796.00
Summary
New strains of the superbug methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have emerged in the community, causing severe, sometimes fatal infections in otherwise healthy people. These strains, called community-acquired MRSA produce a toxin (Panton-Valentine leukocidin). This project will provide important information about how this toxin promotes disease, and how the immune system responds to the toxin, providing the basis for the development of immunotherapies against this new superbug.
Macfarlane Adaptive Changes In HIV-1 Subtype C Envelope Glycoproteins Contributing To Pathogenicity.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$310,787.00
Summary
HIV exists as multiple subtypes. The most commonly studied is type B (B-HIV). B-HIV is common in developed countries, but accounts for only a small fraction of HIV infections worldwide. Type C HIV (C-HIV) in Africa and Asia accounts for the majority of infections worldwide, yet very little is known about how C-HIV causes AIDS. We aim to understand how C-HIV causes AIDS. This is critical for development of drugs and vaccines specifically designed for those who are most urgently need.
Host-pathogen Interactions In Burkholderia Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$490,322.00
Summary
Melioidosis is a fatal tropical disease caused by a bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei. We found that when the bacterium infects macrophage-like cells in culture (that normally kills bacteria), the cells turn into a cell like an osteoclast, a cell that normally degrades bone. Since an osteoclast is unable to kill bacteria, we speculate that the bacterium subverts the macrophage differentiation pathway and directs the cells into a state where it is unable to attack the invading bacteria.