Rapid HIV-1 Tropism Testing Using Novel, Soluble Mimics Of The HIV-1 Coreceptors CCR5 And CXCR4
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$163,426.00
Summary
This proposal seeks to develop an inexpensive assay to determine whether HIV patients will benefit from treatment with new drugs referred to as CCR5 antagonists. These are effective against HIV strains that use the CCR5 coreceptor, therefore a patient�s HIV coreceptor usage must be assessed before commencing therapy. Current assays are complicated, slow and expensive. Using novel, soluble mimics of the coreceptors we will develop an ELISA based test that can be operated using standard equipment.
Cell Surface Lectin Receptors For Attachment And Entry Of Influenza Viruses Into Cells Of The Innate Immune System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$530,094.00
Summary
Influenza virus is a leading cause of respiratory infection and death worldwide. Infection of humans is initiated when the virus contacts cells lining the respiratory tract. Infection of epithelial cells leads to virus amplification whereas infection of immune cells results in virus destruction. Despite extensive research efforts, it is not clear how the virus infects these cells. This project aims to identify receptors on human cells used by influenza virus to attach to and infect immune cells.
Modulation Of Virus-cellular Receptor Interactions In Picornaviral Pathogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$422,036.00
Summary
Gastrointestinal viral infections of humans result in a wide variety of illnesses ranging from the common cold to infantile paralysis and viral myocarditis. Despite the wide range of tissues and organs targeted by these viruses, the manner in which infection is initiated is remarkably similar. The primary step in infection is the binding of a virus to a specific protein on the cell surface, similar to the lock and key analogy. This project seeks to investigate the nature of interactions between ....Gastrointestinal viral infections of humans result in a wide variety of illnesses ranging from the common cold to infantile paralysis and viral myocarditis. Despite the wide range of tissues and organs targeted by these viruses, the manner in which infection is initiated is remarkably similar. The primary step in infection is the binding of a virus to a specific protein on the cell surface, similar to the lock and key analogy. This project seeks to investigate the nature of interactions between representative picornaviruses and their cellular attachment proteins with a view to designing rational anti-viral strategies to block virus cell attachment and cell entry. Using the data raised when investigating why some viruses only infect certain cells, we plan to target human tumors cells based on their susceptibilty to different viruses.Read moreRead less
Characterising The Genotypic And Phenotypic Properties Of The HIV-1 Viral Reservoir
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$316,819.00
Summary
Current drug treatments can not eradicate HIV from the body. This is because HIV can infect and establish a latent or “silent” infection in long-lived cells of the immune system that can re-emerge out of these cells when drug treatment is stopped. This project aims to find out how these cells become infected and what type of HIV is infecting them. The results from this study will help us better understand the latent infection and will help researchers design ways to eradicate HIV.
Envelope Glycoprotein Determinants Of HIV-1 Subtype C Tropism And Pathogenicity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$657,745.00
Summary
HIV-1 subtype C is the most common subtype of HIV-w worldwide, yet we know comparatively little about how it causes disease in humans. This study will elucidate how HIV-1 subtype C evolves in patients to become more pathogenic over time.