A Serotype-independent, Broad Spectrum Pneumococcal Vaccine
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$955,585.00
Summary
Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) is the world’s most formidable bacterial pathogen, causing 1-2 million deaths each year. Existing vaccines provide protection against only a limited proportion of strains and their widespread use is increasing the prevalence of strains against which the vaccines provide no protection. This project aims to translate a novel broadly protective pneumococcal vaccine into the commercial development pipeline.
Improving Subunit Vaccines Against Tuberculosis For Pulmonary Delivery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$635,320.00
Summary
Tuberculosis is an enormous health problem globally and remains a threat to Australia because of our proximity to high burden countries. The development of better vaccines against TB is crucial to reducing disease and preventing transmission. We shall develop and test new TB vaccines composed of a protective TB protein and immune-stimulating molecules in dry powder which can be safely delivered to the lungs. This respirable vaccine will be used to protect against TB and boost the effects of BCG.
Multistage Vaccines For The Prevention Of Tuberculosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$884,290.00
Summary
Almost two million people die from tuberculosis (TB) each year. The current vaccine, BCG, is ineffective at controlling TB and the type of immune response needed to protect against the disease is poorly understood. We have discovered new antigens of the TB bacterium, and we will combine them with novel delivery strategies to develop new TB vaccines. We will also determine the type of immune response needed to protect against TB, which will aid progression of vaccines into clinical trials.
Impact Of Influenza A Infection On T Cell-mediated Immunity To Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$488,058.00
Summary
Tuberculosis is a leading cause of death worldwide and there is an urgent need to develop better anti-TB vaccines. Infection with respiratory viruses may reduce memory T cell responses to M. tuberculosis (Mtb). This project will investigate if Influenza A infection reduces memory anti-tuberculosis T cell responses in mice previously exposed to Mtb or BCG. We will then use influenza viruses engineered to carry parts of Mtb proteins to boost anti-Mtb T cell responses and the protective effect of B ....Tuberculosis is a leading cause of death worldwide and there is an urgent need to develop better anti-TB vaccines. Infection with respiratory viruses may reduce memory T cell responses to M. tuberculosis (Mtb). This project will investigate if Influenza A infection reduces memory anti-tuberculosis T cell responses in mice previously exposed to Mtb or BCG. We will then use influenza viruses engineered to carry parts of Mtb proteins to boost anti-Mtb T cell responses and the protective effect of BCG.Read moreRead less
Developing A Vaccine To Protect Against Hypervirulent Strains Of Group A Streptococcus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$536,850.00
Summary
Epidemic invasive GAS disease is associated with the emergence of the globally disseminated M1T1 clone and is linked to the mutation in the CovR/S regulator. This mutation leads to over- expression of SpyCEP and inhibits recruitment of neutrophils to the site of infection. Inclusion of an immunogenic fragment of SpyCEP into our current vaccine would enhance its efficacy and lead to the development of a vaccine with a wider coverage and better protective efficacy against hypervirulent GAS strains
New Candidate Vaccines To Prevent Tuberculosis: Preclinical Assessment Of Efficacy, Safety And Mechanism Of Protection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$594,133.00
Summary
Almost two million people die from tuberculosis (TB) each year. The curent vaccine, BCG, is ineffective at controlling TB and and the type of immune response needed to protect against the disease is poorly understood. We have discovered new antigens of the TB bacterium, and we will combine them with our innovative vaccine technology to develop new vaccines to control TB. We will also try and understand why BCG is not effective, and use this information to further improve TB vaccination.
Group A streptococcus (GAS) is a bacteria that causes a wide range of disease in humans. GAS diseases are more common in Australias Indigenous population, and other health and economically disadvantaged groups than more affluent groups. In this study we will evaluate the effectiveness of novel vaccine candidates designed to prevent infection from all strains of GAS.