Roles Of Virus-integrin Interactions And Rotavirus Modulation Of Host Cell Responses In Viral Pathogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$474,000.00
Summary
Rotaviruses are the main cause of severe gastroenteritis in children, and cause 1 in 27 Australian children under the age of 5 years to spend time in hospital. There is currently no rotavirus vaccine available. We aim to discover how rotavirus interacts with host cells. This information is necessary to formulate a safe and effective vaccine, or a therapeutic agent that can block virus growth in host cells. Previously, we showed that rotavirus attaches to cells and enters them using several membe ....Rotaviruses are the main cause of severe gastroenteritis in children, and cause 1 in 27 Australian children under the age of 5 years to spend time in hospital. There is currently no rotavirus vaccine available. We aim to discover how rotavirus interacts with host cells. This information is necessary to formulate a safe and effective vaccine, or a therapeutic agent that can block virus growth in host cells. Previously, we showed that rotavirus attaches to cells and enters them using several members of the integrin protein family that are present on the surface of the cells. Integrins are critical for cell adhesion, survival and communication. In this project, we will identify how rotavirus usage of integrins modulates cell functions. This will help us understand how rotavirus causes disease, how virus spreads in the body and how the immune response defends us from rotavirus. Rotavirus binds integrins using particular stretches of protein sequence that we have shown are also present in other human viral pathogens that cause hepatitis, AIDS and measles. We will determine if these other viruses also recognize integrins.Read moreRead less
Exploration Of The Role Of Microbes In Gastrointestinal Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$687,974.00
Summary
This fellowship will investigate diseases of the gastrointestinal tract of children. The research program will undertake a range of is a highly innovative projects including; development of an effective rotavirus vaccine to be administered to newborns; genetic characterisation of rotavirus strains able to escape vaccine protection; and how alterations in the human gut microbiome (bacteria and viruses) influence the development/relapse of CrohnÍs disease.
Elucidating The Pathogenic Role Of Rotavirus Infection In Type 1 Diabetes Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$535,579.00
Summary
Rotavirus infection is the main cause of severe diarrhoea in children, and has been implicated in accelerated progression of genetically at-risk children towards type 1 diabetes in two independent studies. My group has further discovered that rotavirus also accelerates diabetes onset in mice in a novel immunological process. In this project, we will determine the mechanism behind this disease exacerbation in the mice, to facilitate understanding of the process in children.
NEW INSIGHT INTO GLYCAN REQUIREMENTS FOR ROTAVIRUS-CELL ATTACHMENT AND ENTRY
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,068,758.00
Summary
Rotavirus causes significant infection and loss of life in children, particularly in underdeveloped countries. This project will investigate the role of carbohydrates as contact points for this deadly virus towards the goal of developing novel vaccines and drug therapies.
Characterisation Of Rotavirus Vaccine Escape - Potential For Significant Impact On Vaccination Program
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$531,689.00
Summary
The introduction of rotavirus vaccines have had enormous impact on improving the health of children worldwide. However, the emergence of vaccine escape strains has the potential to significantly reduce the vaccine effectiveness. This study proposes to characterise strains able to escape vaccine protection.
I am a virologist carrying out research to determine the mechanisms underlying rotavirus cellular tropism and the pathogenesis of rotavirus disease. Rotavirus is the major cause of infantile gastroenteritis worldwide. I am combining the expertise of my group in rotavirus biology with the power of inter-disciplinary collaborations in the areas of sugar chemistry, cell biology, structural biology and diabetes to expand understanding in these areas. Novel treatments and improvements in rotavirus va ....I am a virologist carrying out research to determine the mechanisms underlying rotavirus cellular tropism and the pathogenesis of rotavirus disease. Rotavirus is the major cause of infantile gastroenteritis worldwide. I am combining the expertise of my group in rotavirus biology with the power of inter-disciplinary collaborations in the areas of sugar chemistry, cell biology, structural biology and diabetes to expand understanding in these areas. Novel treatments and improvements in rotavirus vaccines are the long term goal of our research.Read moreRead less
Understanding How Virus Infection Accelerates Type 1 Diabetes Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$610,774.00
Summary
We linked rotavirus infection in children at-risk of type 1 diabetes with faster diabetes development. A heightened response to the virus is implicated by our mouse model studies. We will determine if more rapid mouse diabetes due to rotavirus requires this heightened response, and if this response is also made by cells from diabetes patients after stimulation with rotavirus or other relevant viruses. These studies are vital to learn how viruses affect type 1 diabetes and devise interventions.
Rotavirus is the main cause of severe diarrhoea in children worldwide. In this project, we aim to understand the nature of the first-line immune response to rotavirus in the gut, and elucidate how RV counteracts this response to promote infection. These studies will increase our understanding of how rotavirus causes disease, and facilitate the choice of rotavirus targets for drug development and improved vaccines.