Understanding The Role Of MAIT Cells In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$547,593.00
Summary
A specialised set of T lymphocytes called Mucosal Associated Invariant T (MAIT) cells protect us from bacteria and yeast at mucosal sites where the body's immune defences are most easily breached, e.g. gut, oral cavity, airways & reproductive tract. This study investigates the role of MAIT cells in health and in diseases like inflammatory bowel disease, peptic ulceration, periodontitis and tuberculosis. Controlling MAIT cells could help in treating these conditions.
Coordinating Neuroimmune Sensory Networks In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$884,405.00
Summary
Living organisms use cellular rhythms to optimize their energy use and cellular responses. Our proposal aims to produce significant new fundamental knowledge by elucidating the fundamental cellular and molecular biology of innate cells, their role in mucosal homeostasis and tissue repair pathways in the gut. Understanding this foundational process of cellular regulation will generate new basic knowledge and may lead to better management systems.
Cell Surface Mucins In Gastrointestinal Infection, Inflammation And Cancer Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$469,627.00
Summary
Cell surface mucins are protective molecules that line all the wet surface of the body, including the gastrointestinal tract. Our research has uncovered that mucins regulate cell growth and cell death. Inappropriate control by the mucins, could lead to chronic inflammation and formation of cancers. We will test how important these molecules are in the development of cancers in the intestine, and further explore the mechanism of action.
Hypoxic Regulation Of Integrin Beta1 During Mucosal Wound Healing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,104.00
Summary
Very little is currently known about how healing is initiated in the gut. Further understanding may allow us to improve the treatment of IBD wounding and allow new therapies to control the disease. Our work examines the role of an adhesion protein, ?1 integrin, important in the repair of intestinal wounds. Understanding the mechanisms of how ?1 integrin is involved in wound healing may allow the rational design of therapies to aid or accelerate wound healing in inflammatory disease.
Evolution And Function Of A Novel Lateral Flagellar Locus, Flag-2, In Pathogenic Escherichia Coli
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$465,158.00
Summary
This project will study how the bacteria that cause infant diarrhoea colonize the intestine and induce disease. We have identified a novel genetic region that allows E. coli to survive and persist in the intestine. Similar genes are also present in closely related organisms. This project will help us to undestand how new diseases evolve and emerge and may lead to the development of new vaccines to protect against infant diarrhoea.
Contribution Of Nuclear Targeting Of The NleE-OspZ Family Of Proteins To Escherichia Coli And Shigella Virulence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$542,462.00
Summary
This project will study how the bacteria that cause infant diarrhoea colonize the intestine and induce disease. We have identified new bacterial proteins that allow E. coli to manipulate the normal host cell processes involved in killing an invading bacterium. Similar proteins are also present in the closely related organism, Shigella which causes dysentary. We will determine how these proteins act by finding the host cell proteins they bind.
The Impact Of Influenza A Virus PB1-F2 Protein On Host Immunity And The Potential For Therapeutic Targeting
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$317,076.00
Summary
The 1918 influenza virus pandemic resulted in 50 million deaths globally and there is potential for new pandemics, such as the predicted H5N1 Bird Flu . Exact causes of such devastating lethality are not fully identified. Newly discovered influenza A virus (IAV) PB1-F2 protein is present in nearly all highly pathogenic IAVs and promotes virus virulence. This study will further examine the way in which PB1-F2 impacts the host, revealing potential therapeutic targets to lessen disease burden.
This research deals with the interaction between the reproductive system and the immune system, providing a unique perspective on two biological systems that are normally considered separately. This research may help to improve the treatment of infertility, reproductive tract infections and testicular cancer, but may also lead to new treatments for inflammatory diseases that hospitalise or kill many thousands of patients each year, and for preventing graft failure in transplant recipients.