Understanding And Modulating Hyperinflammation Caused By Influenza Viruses
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,048.00
Summary
In humans, highly pathogenic influenza A virus (IAV) infections can be fatal, as the disease is untreatable with available vaccine or anti-viral drugs. My fellowship aims to advance our knowledge of the mechanisms by which the immune system induces and regulates inflammation during IAV infection, which can be both helpful and detrimental in fighting the infection. This is critical for identifying and developing new therapies for severe IAV infections in the future.
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.
I am an immunologist studying host immune responses during malaria and visceral leishmaniasis, two important human infectious diseases. I aim to identify immune responses that promote safe and effective control of parasite growth and distinguish them from
Influenza A Virus PB1-F2 Protein: A Putative Virulence Factor And Initiator Of Inflammation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$474,718.00
Summary
Influenza virus produces a protein of undefined function called PB1-F2. Infection of mice with virus expressing PB1-F2 from virulent strains causes severe lung inflammation, while PB1-F2 from milder seasonal viruses does not. We will examine how PB1-F2 influences virulence of human influenza in the ferret, which exhibits the same illness as humans. This work will help understand the disease severity of newly evolved influenza viruses of humans and the role of PB1-F2 in mediating this.
Determinants Of Immune Restoration Disease And Persistent Immune Dysfunction In HIV Patients Responding To ART
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$445,011.00
Summary
Many people throughout the world now receive antiretroviral treatment (ART) for HIV-AIDS. ART increases numbers of CD4 T-cells, but does not restore all functions the immune system. In addition, some patients experience serious exacerbations of pre-existing secondary infections when they respond to ART. We were the first to describe these Immune Restoration Diseases and will investigate the underlying mechanisms and the causes of persistent immune deficiency here.
Signalling Pathways In Antibody-Mediated Renal Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$113,296.00
Summary
Many types of kidney disease are induced by antibody binding to the kidney which initiates a damaging response by cells of the immune system. Current therapies for such diseases rely upon toxic immunosuppressive drugs. This project will examine one specific mechanism by which immune cells are activated by antibody to cause injury in human and experimental renal injury. These studies will determine whether this specific mechanism is a suitable target for developing new therapeutic drugs.