Developing New Immunotherapeutics Through Studying Immune Effectors In Situ
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,369,054.00
Summary
The immune system deploys pore forming proteins to clear viral and bacterial infections and to eliminate cancerous cells. The unwanted activities of these molecules, however, results in chronic disease and in transplant rejection. We aim to understand how pore forming immune weapons interact with our own cells, with the goal of using this information to develop new approaches to treat immune driven disease and to improve the success of transplantation therapy.
Therapeutic Targeting Of Interleukin-22 For Severe Paediatric Urinary Tract Infection And Associated Renal Complications
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$997,139.00
Summary
Urinary tract infections are among the most common bacterial infections and are associated with the development of chronic kidney disease. The bacteria that cause these infections are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotic therapy. Therefore, new strategies that target the immune system rather than the bacteria are urgently needed. This study will provide evidence for re-purposing novel immunotherapies targeting the protein interleukin-22 that are being developed for other diseases.
Improving Clinical Outcomes Of Antimicrobial Resistant Infections With A Drug-free Intervention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$999,581.00
Summary
Superbugs, or antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, cause recurring infections and non-healing wounds after surgery as existing therapies fail to effectively kill them. We will develop a medical device to fight superbugs with UV light that is effective against bacteria and fungi without causing harm to human cells. This could eradicate superbugs at infection sites, aid wound healing and actively improve health outcomes after surgery.
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.
Understanding The Innate Immune Response To Viral Infection Of The Female Reproductive Tract And Placenta
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$784,273.00
Summary
Viral infection of the female reproductive tract (FRT) can have a significant impact on FRT health and may cause significant birth defects if the virus infects the placenta and developing fetus. In this application we will investigate the role of a novel molecule termed interferon epsilon and how it impacts viral infection of the FRT, the fetus and how the placenta responds to viral infection. This work will develop innovative antiviral strategies to combat viral infections of the FRT.
THE IMMUNOLOGICAL LEGACY OF OBESITY ON VIRAL PATHOGENESIS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$652,275.00
Summary
Obesity is a key risk factor for severe viral infections. Our preliminary data suggest that in mice this susceptibility is not reduced by weight loss. In this grant we will investigate a) the mechanisms driving the legacy effect of obesity on antiviral immunity b) whether or not we can reverse this legacy effect by treatment with the drug MCC950 and c) the antiviral response of overweight children and adults who have and haven't recently lost weight.
Influenza A Viral Infection And Pregnancy Complications
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,346,858.00
Summary
Pregnant women who contract influenza are 5 times more likely to be hospitalised than the general population. Babies of mothers with influenza are also associated with increased perinatal mortality rates. We hypothesise that influenza infection in pregnancy significantly impairs the maternal vascular system resulting in maternal and foetal morbidity. Outcomes from this research may change current treatment modalities to improve maternal and foetal outcomes complicated by influenza infection.
Oleoyl-ACP-hydrolase As An Early Predictive Biomarker For Severe And Fatal Influenza
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$866,807.00
Summary
Millions are hospitalized with severe influenza disease and ~500K die annually but the underlying mechanisms that drive disease are still not fully understood. We have identified a key role for an enzyme involved in fatty acid metabolism, which is profoundly elevated in patients who succumb to influenza and is thus a predictor for fatal outcomes. This research aims to investigate how this enzyme affects infection and impairs immune responses to drive severe respiratory viral disease.
The Role Of Host Proteases In Modulating Enteric Infectious Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,267,155.00
Summary
Bacterial pathogens that cause gut diseases result in 2.5 million deaths per year. The gut is a complex environment consisting of numerous factors that must be balanced to maintain enteric health. When these factors are unbalanced, disease can occur, and infections can cause imbalances. This project will increase our understanding of the role that host proteins play in gut infections, providing knowledge critical for developing improved strategies for disease treatment and prevention.
Determining Immune Dynamics During Controlled Primary Infection In Humans
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$579,823.00
Summary
T cells are critical to human health being our second and last line against infectious disease and cancer. However, we know very little about how this hugely complex immune compartment operates during primary challenge with infectious disease. This project will use new technologies to resolve this immune compartment to high detail during the days, weeks and years following controlled infection in human volunteers.