Immuno-metabolic Interactions Of The Fungal Superbug Candida Auris
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$674,105.00
Summary
Infections threaten hospital patients and undermine our ability to use advanced medical treatments for conditions such as cancer. Candida auris is an emerging superbug causing infections in hospitals and nursing homes that are commonly resistant to front-line antifungal therapy. To build the knowledge foundation for improved treatments, this proposal aims to define how C. auris escapes immune defences and understand the metabolic mechanisms that shape immune responses and infection outcomes.
Role of soil factors and transmission on propagation material of fungal pathogens in the severity of strawberry crown and root disorders. Through identification of the pathogen complexes associated with root and crown disorders, their impacts, understanding the influences of environmental conditions and rotational species, knowing the sources of major pathogens, and identification of varietal resistances to the pathogens, this project will provide a unique opportunity for growers to better manag ....Role of soil factors and transmission on propagation material of fungal pathogens in the severity of strawberry crown and root disorders. Through identification of the pathogen complexes associated with root and crown disorders, their impacts, understanding the influences of environmental conditions and rotational species, knowing the sources of major pathogens, and identification of varietal resistances to the pathogens, this project will provide a unique opportunity for growers to better manage such disorders of strawberries occurring across southern Australia. Benefits include prevention of severe losses in strawberries, making strawberry production and exports more viable, sustainable and environmentally friendly, addressing the National Research Priority 'An Environmentally Sustainable Australia' and the Priority Goal of 'Transforming existing industries".Read moreRead less
The biology, genetics, pathology and control of Alternaria species in Paulownia plantations. The development of Paulownia plantations is a rapidly expanding industry in Australia. Recently, three Alternaria species have been associated with foliar and canker disease leading to tree deaths. Alternaria disease has the potential to cause economic losses to the industry in Western Australia. Therefore, this study will examine the pathology and genetic diversity of Alternaria species, establish path ....The biology, genetics, pathology and control of Alternaria species in Paulownia plantations. The development of Paulownia plantations is a rapidly expanding industry in Australia. Recently, three Alternaria species have been associated with foliar and canker disease leading to tree deaths. Alternaria disease has the potential to cause economic losses to the industry in Western Australia. Therefore, this study will examine the pathology and genetic diversity of Alternaria species, establish pathogenicity screening of different genetic material and look at a range of integrated chemical and silvicultural approaches to reduce disease impact and severity.Read moreRead less
CLOSING THE GAP IN EARLY DIAGNOSTIC CAPABILITIES FOR MYCOSES - DNA BARCODING TO COMBAT AN EMERGING GLOBAL HEALTH PROBLEM
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$753,447.00
Summary
Fungal infections are a major health threat with high mortality and costs. Fast identification of a causative agent is required to initiate correct treatment to maximise disease outcome. Short DNA sequences – DNA barcodes – offer a fast accurate identification. This grant sets out to establish a dual-locus barcode scheme, build a reference database, adapt the scheme to new sequencing technologies and to facilitate sequence-based fungal identification in the routine diagnostic laboratory.
An Investigation Into Chromatin Dynamics In Host-pathogen Interactions And Fungal Virulence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$700,585.00
Summary
Fungal infections represent a major health burden, with loss of lives that parallels malaria. Only a handful of antifungal therapeutics is available, and mortality remains very high (30% or more). By using molecular biology approaches and animal infection models, this project aims to characterize a new class of promising antifungal drug targets in the major human fungal pathogen Candida albicans. The outcomes will provide the knowledge foundation for future antifungal drug discovery.
An Investigation Into Mitochondrial Dynamics In The Human Pathogen Candida Albicans
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$581,966.00
Summary
Our goal is to find new therapies to treat infections with Candida albicans, a major human pathogen that causes highly fatal hospital-associated disease. We have identified the mitochondrion, the cellular powerhouse, as a promising target for the development of new anti-candida drugs. We will use innovative imaging and molecular approaches, together with experimental animal infection models to understand how mitochondria could be inhibited to treat life-threatening infections with Candida.
Dissecting Virulence Attributes In A Human Pathogenic Fungus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$814,596.00
Summary
Fungi that infect humans are a major health problem worldwide, particularly for those with compromised immune systems (eg. AIDS, transplant and cancer patients). These fungi cause disease by evading the immune system whilst deriving nutrients for growth. Some fungi evade the immune system by residing within host cells; a hostile and nutrient poor environment. This project will study genes that are required for growth inside host cells. This knowledge will open new avenues for treatment.
Genome evolution & adaptation of the multinuclear wheat stripe rust fungus. Animals and plants package their genomes into a single nucleus within each cell. In contrast, millions of fungal species accommodate multiple nuclei containing individual haploid genomes. It is currently unknown what the evolutionary implications are for this unusual genome division into multiple nuclei. Here we explore the evolutionary consequences of genome division into multiple nuclei for the first time by applying c ....Genome evolution & adaptation of the multinuclear wheat stripe rust fungus. Animals and plants package their genomes into a single nucleus within each cell. In contrast, millions of fungal species accommodate multiple nuclei containing individual haploid genomes. It is currently unknown what the evolutionary implications are for this unusual genome division into multiple nuclei. Here we explore the evolutionary consequences of genome division into multiple nuclei for the first time by applying cutting edge genome biology tools and algorithms. The economically significant study system is the devastating wheat stripe rust fungus. This pathogen costs Australian farmers over $100 million a year. New understanding is expected to lead to better disease management, reduced fungicide applications, and increased yields.Read moreRead less