Development And Application Of Theoretical Models Of Plasmodium Transmission To Guide Malaria Elimination Efforts
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$315,401.00
Summary
There is currently a worldwide endeavour to eliminate malaria but there are few tools available to evaluate the impact of intervention strategies in the Asia-Pacific region. This project aims to address this deficiency by developing simulation models of Plasmodium vivax and mixed species infections, and using these new tools to investigate the likely impact of a variety of intervention strategies including bed nets, improved access to treatment and mass drug administration.
Application Of Protein Microarrays To Develop A Cross-Species Malaria Vaccine
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$451,821.00
Summary
Malaria remains a significant public health problem worldwide. Five species of malaria parasites infect humans. The ideal vaccine would be effective against all five species. Using a novel protein microarray approach, we will identify Plasmodium proteins that may be excellent targets of a cross-species malaria vaccine. This research will build on Australia's current strengths in biotechnology and will result in significant economic benefits by facilitating the development of a malaria vaccine.
Pathophysiology And Treatment Of Malaria And Other Tropical Infectious Diseases Prevalent In Our Region
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$560,284.00
Summary
Nick Anstey is internationally recognised for his discoveries in malaria and other tropical infectious diseases. He leads a major tropical infectious disease research program in Darwin and SouthEast Asia that attracts some of the brightest researchers and students from Australia and beyond to understand disease mechanisms and work on new ways to treat illness and prevent death. He uses results to change policy and practice not only in Australia but around the world.
Comprehensive Assessment Of Novel Artemisinin-based Combination Regimens For Treatment Of Malaria In Papua New Guinea
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$529,500.00
Summary
Malaria is one of the most important causes of death and disease in Australia's closest neighbour, Papua New Guinea (PNG). The cornerstone of strategies to tackle malaria is the provision of prompt and effective drug treatment for those at risk. Unfortunately older drugs are becoming ineffective due to development of resistance and most newer drugs are too expensive for poor countries. As in sub-Saharan Africa, a looming public health disaster awaits the imminent loss of effectiveness of afforda ....Malaria is one of the most important causes of death and disease in Australia's closest neighbour, Papua New Guinea (PNG). The cornerstone of strategies to tackle malaria is the provision of prompt and effective drug treatment for those at risk. Unfortunately older drugs are becoming ineffective due to development of resistance and most newer drugs are too expensive for poor countries. As in sub-Saharan Africa, a looming public health disaster awaits the imminent loss of effectiveness of affordable antimalarials in PNG. There are however some new drugs that may be highly effective and relatively cheap but require further evaluation before they can be deployed. The new artemisinin drugs from China are cheap, safe and effective. However they must be combined with a second drug to ensure cure and to prevent the development of resistance, a stragegy known as artemisinin combination therapy (ACT). The World Health Organisation has endorsed ACT but finding a suitable 2nd drug to combine with the artemisinin drug has been challenging. Our group has pioneered research into the drug piperaquine, which we believe may be the best affordable drug to combine with artemisinin drugs. Piperaquine was first synthesised in the 1960's and was shown to be effective in Chinese studies in the 1970's, but little is known of its blood levels, metabolism and interactions with other drugs in humans. We plan to carry out laboratory studies, studies in healthy volunteers, and field studies in PNG children with malaria that should provide detailed information about piperaquine and its potential role in ACT for malaria. This will help us to develop better dosing formulations and to maximise the effectiveness of this treatment. Development and registration of a piperaquine-containing ACT would consititute a new and potent weapon in the fight against malaria in PNG and other tropical countries.Read moreRead less
We will investigate malaria, a parasitic disease that kills over 630,000 people a year. We will explore the function of proteins responsible for cleaving and activating a cascade of proteins important in infection of humans and transmission of the parasite to mosquitoes. We will characterize the proteins involved in these critical events, as they are potential targets for drugs.
Functional Studies On Two Essential Rhoptry Proteins Of The Malaria Parasite
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,894.00
Summary
Malaria is one of the most important and deadly infectious diseases in the world, causing 250 million cases and nearly one million deaths each year. Traditionally, drugs and insecticides have been used to treat the disease and control its spread. They have become much less effective and there now exist untreatable cases of malaria. Alternative control measures are urgently needed. An understanding of how proteins essential to parasite survival operate may identify novel targets for therapeutic i ....Malaria is one of the most important and deadly infectious diseases in the world, causing 250 million cases and nearly one million deaths each year. Traditionally, drugs and insecticides have been used to treat the disease and control its spread. They have become much less effective and there now exist untreatable cases of malaria. Alternative control measures are urgently needed. An understanding of how proteins essential to parasite survival operate may identify novel targets for therapeutic intervention against this devastating disease.Read moreRead less