Role Of Streptococcus Agalactiae Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate Dehydrogenase (GAPDH) In Infection And Potential As A Target To Control Colonization In The Female Genital Tract
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$677,177.00
Summary
Extracellular proteins produced by pathogenic bacteria can facilitate microbial colonization of the host by mediating binding to host cells and by modulating the immune system. These proteins exert their effects by subverting specific elements of the immune system and this can allow infection to worsen. This project will increase our understanding of how this bacterium chronically colonizes humans and will identify the potential of a bacterial protein, termed GAPDH, as a target for control.
Integrated Bacterial Genomics And Virulence Analysis Of Uropathogenic Streptococcus Agalactiae
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$747,457.00
Summary
Urinary tract infections (UTI), which start as a bladder infection and often evolve to encompass the kidneys, are among the most common infectious diseases in humans. Streptococcus agalactiae is an important cause of gram-positive bacterial UTI. We will study the genomes and functions of specific genes in reference strains of this bacterium isolated from patients with different forms of infection to elucidate how bacterial genes and virulence factors contribute to these types of infections.
The Role Of The Chemosensory Receptors Of The Enteric Pathogen C. Jejuni In Virulence And Host - Bacterial Interactions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$517,897.00
Summary
Campylobacter jejuni is the greatest cause of bacterial gastroenteritis in the world. Consumption of contaminated meat or untreated water leads to disease often requiring hospitalisation. Campylobacter infection is also linked to the development of neoroparalytic disorders and reactive arthritis. This project aims to determine how this pathogen utilises surface molecules to sense its environment and cause disease. This information may be exploited to develop new treatments for mucosal infections ....Campylobacter jejuni is the greatest cause of bacterial gastroenteritis in the world. Consumption of contaminated meat or untreated water leads to disease often requiring hospitalisation. Campylobacter infection is also linked to the development of neoroparalytic disorders and reactive arthritis. This project aims to determine how this pathogen utilises surface molecules to sense its environment and cause disease. This information may be exploited to develop new treatments for mucosal infections.Read moreRead less
Uncovering Novel Roles Of Escherichia Coli Flagella And LPS In Uropathogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$404,677.00
Summary
Urinary tract infections (UTI) are common infectious diseases in humans. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) cause most UTI. UPEC produce factors that promote their survival and influence disease such as flagella. We have identified anti-inflammatory responses as a key element of UTI and have shown that these responses contribute to control of UTI. In this project, we will investigate how the UPEC flagella component, FliC, contributes to anti-inflammatory responses and what this means for UTI.
Targeting Toxoplasma Gondii Latent Stages Responsible For Chronic Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$697,107.00
Summary
Many microbial pathogens become resistant to host immune response and drugs by entering a slow-growing, dormant state. These stages are commonly responsible for long term, chronic infections. We will investigate the molecular basis of dormancy in Toxoplasma gondii, which infects one in three people. These studies will identify metabolic pathways that are essential for dormancy with the view of developing new therapies for treating long term, recurrent infections.
Microbial Involvement In The Development Of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$302,123.00
Summary
Despite extensive research investigating the causative agent(s) of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), the results of current studies remain inconclusive. One reason for this relates to study design and the sensitivity of techniques used. This project will investigate differences in the microbial composition and metabolic profiles of newly diagnosed IBD children as compared with matched controls. If successful, these results will provide insights into possible aetiological agent(s) of IBD.
Comparative Expression Studies To Identify Cellular Factors Promoting Hendra Virus Replication For A Comprehensive Understanding Of Hendra Virus Pathogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$374,619.00
Summary
Hendra virus (HeV) is an emerging pathogen indigenous to fruit bats. HeV is associated with limited outbreaks with high mortality in domesticated animals and humans. To advance the understanding of HeV-related pathogenesis, we will perform comparative studies in bat and human cell lines to recognise differences in virus-host cell interactions leading to a comprehensive understanding of the HeV life cycle and pathogenesis.
Metabolomic Analysis Of Plasmodum Falciparum And Mode Of Action Of Antimalarial Compounds
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$917,196.00
Summary
There is an urgent need to develop new drugs to treat malaria, one of the most important diseases to afflict humanity. We have developed new analytical approaches for measuring parasite metabolism while they live inside host cells. These approaches will be used to identify metabolic pathways that are essential for parasite infectivity and to understand the mode of action of new classes of antimalarial compounds
One third of the world's population is infected with the protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, which can cause life-threatening infections. This proposal will utilize new analytical technologies to understand how these parasites are able to survive in a wide variety of different host cells, how they manage to persist within brain and muscle tissue for the life of the patient and how infection may be linked to mental health disorders, such as schizopohrenia.
Microbial Restoriation In Crohn's Disease: A Randomised Trial Of Faecal Microbial Transplanatation In Crohn's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$487,123.00
Summary
Crohn's disease causes inflammation and damage to the digestive tract. Compelling evidence suggests that the bacteria in the gut play an important role in the onset of disease. Changing the gut bacteria through the administration of healthy stool to a patient, faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), is safe and may be effective. This placebo controlled trial will determine whether FMT (delivered via capsule) can control inflammation in Crohn's. Results will change current treatment paradigms.