Conquering Schistosomiasis In China: The Last Mile
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,432,780.00
Summary
Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia), caused by Schistosoma bloodflukes, is an ancient disease in the People’s Republic of China (PRC). After decades of control, the Chinese authorities have slated their intention to eliminate the disease by 2020. However, current diagnostic methods underestimate the true infection rates so we contend this target is unattainable. Supplementation of current control measures with additional public health interventions will be required to achieve the goal of elimination.
Schistosomiasis is one of the world's most serious and prevalent diseases affecting nearly 200 million people world-wide. It is currently treated with a single drug, though there is growing concern about the development of resistance to it. In this proposal we will explore whether a new cellular pathway involving the cell death machinery we have identified in the disease-causing parasites could provide a possible target for the development of new treatments against schistosomiasis.
Genomic-based Tools To Support The Control Of Urogenital Schistosomiasis And Hepatic Opisthorchiasis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,180.00
Summary
Over 100 million people are affected by parasitic flukes that promote malignant tumours. Parasite control depends on a single drug, making resistance an imminent threat. I will deliver new genomic tools to unravel the complex interactions between parasites and humans, and explore parasite population diversity on a continental scale. I will then prioritise a panel of anti-parasitic drug targets and vaccine candidates to deliver the next generation of interventions against parasitic diseases.
Genome-based Tools To Support Urogenital Schistosomiasis Control
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$429,644.00
Summary
More than 100 million sub-Saharan Africans have urogenital schistosomiasis, a disease that promotes malignant cancer and HIV/AIDS. Control depends on a single drug, making resistance an imminent threat. We will deliver new molecular tools to assess parasite genetic diversity and to prioritise a panel of anti-parasitic drug targets and vaccine candidates. These outcomes will deliver the next generation of interventions against urogenital schistosomiasis.
Targeting Schistosome Calcium Signalling To Improve And Broaden Praziquantel Efficacy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$481,661.00
Summary
Schistosomiasis is caused by parasitic worms, treatment relies solely on praziquantel (PZQ). Schistosomes respond and recover from PZQ exposure through modulation of the gene CamKII. We will target this gene to both increase and extend the efficacy of PZQ in both adult parasites and in refractory juvenile parasites. Research will expand into assaying CamKII inhibitors to maximise effectiveness and take this work into animal models of this disease.
Schistosomiasis is a disease caused by parasites known as schistosomes. As the current use of a single drug could lead to resistance, there is an urgency for new drugs. I discovered a novel cell death machinery in schistosomes and I now aim to unravel how this cell death pathway works and to identify the players required for parasite survival. The next step will then be to develop molecules that neutralize the activity of these pro-survival molecules hence leading to parasite death.