Targeting Redox Homeostasis To Prevent Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Persistence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$396,025.00
Summary
Tuberculosis is now the leading cause of death from infectious disease worldwide. This reflects the ability of its causative agent to persist, leading to failure of antibiotic treatment and development of drug resistance. In this project, we propose to overcome this by inhibiting a unique metabolic pathway that is activated when the pathogen enters its persistent state. We will use a cutting-edge combination of techniques to develop this pathway for next-generation therapies.
The West Nile Viral Protease, NS3: A Target For Antiviral Drug And Vaccine Design
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$230,500.00
Summary
The West Nile Virus (WNV) was first isolated from a woman in the West Nile region of Uganda in 1937. It is one of ~70 known flaviviruses (e.g. Dengue fever, Yellow fever, West Nile, Kunjun, Japanese encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, tick-borne encephalitis, Australian encephalitis and the related hepatitis C virus) which annually infect hundreds of millions of people worldwide, particularly in tropical and sub-tropical areas, and cause major public health problems. WNV is endemic in the Midd ....The West Nile Virus (WNV) was first isolated from a woman in the West Nile region of Uganda in 1937. It is one of ~70 known flaviviruses (e.g. Dengue fever, Yellow fever, West Nile, Kunjun, Japanese encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, tick-borne encephalitis, Australian encephalitis and the related hepatitis C virus) which annually infect hundreds of millions of people worldwide, particularly in tropical and sub-tropical areas, and cause major public health problems. WNV is endemic in the Middle East, parts of Africa and Europe, but recent epidemics in Israel (1998), Romania (1996), United States (1999), and UK (2003) have been characterized by severe symptoms , severe neurological pathology, and fatalities. In the USA alone there were 4,156 infections and 284 deaths in 2002, 9122 infections and 223 deaths in 2003, and this mosquito borne virus has quickly spread since 1999 through all USA states and into Canada and Mexico (http:--www.cdc.gov-ncidod-dvbid-westnile-index.htm). No treatments or vaccines are available. This project focuses on an enzyme, known as the West Nile Virus NS3 protease, that is essential for replication of the virus. By studying the enzyme in the laboratory we can design small molecules that can block its function and these have real potential as leads for development of drug treatments for people infected by this virus. A precedent is the success of inhibitors of HIV-1 protease that are the most effective treatment for humans with HIV-infections. Our studies will also be used to develop potential vaccines. The science involves experts on protease enzymes, drug design and development, virology including West Nile virology, and vaccine development. We expect to generate drug and vaccine candidates and new information for their development that is at the cutting edge of West Nile Virus research.Read moreRead less