Functional Genomics Of Malaria Liver Infection And Transmission
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,144.00
Summary
Chemotherapy is the front line defense against malaria but resistance is emerging. The WHO has advised that new drugs should target parasite stages that perpetuate the transmission of malaria to break the cycle of infection. We have identified proteins that are essential for the two transmissive stages of the most deadly parasite to infect their hosts. We will determine the precise function of these proteins and the mechanisms they govern. This may guide the development of new interventions.
Mechanisms Of Disease Caused By Hospital-acquired Pathogens
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$465,218.00
Summary
We are currently experiencing unprecedented levels of antibiotic resistance in human pathogens. Unfortunately, the drug development pipeline is drying up, with almost no novel therapeutic options expected in the near future. This proposal aims to identify the mechanisms by which the most important antibiotic-resistant human pathogens make us sick. The expected outcomes are the identification of new targets that may be amenable to future drug development. These targets are aimed at making the org ....We are currently experiencing unprecedented levels of antibiotic resistance in human pathogens. Unfortunately, the drug development pipeline is drying up, with almost no novel therapeutic options expected in the near future. This proposal aims to identify the mechanisms by which the most important antibiotic-resistant human pathogens make us sick. The expected outcomes are the identification of new targets that may be amenable to future drug development. These targets are aimed at making the organisms less capable of causing disease in humans.Read moreRead less
The extraordinary virulence of malaria parasites is in part due to their ability to export hundreds of proteins into their host cell to obtain nutrients and avoid the immune system. Recently the investigator has discovered the machinery that provides the gateway for these proteins to enter the host cell. She now aims to characterise this machinery and dissect its functional significance in vivo, so that strategies that block this crucial process can be developed to kill the parasite.
Determining The Bacterial Contributions To Tuberculosis And Identification Of Drug Targets
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$443,946.00
Summary
Serious issues of drug resistance have emerged in tuberculosis prevention and are placing enormous pressure on global health systems. We have identified an enzyme of M. tuberculosis that is essential for its survival. This project will develop potent inhibitory compounds for this enzyme. Further, we will identify new drug targets through a screen to specifically identify the genes of the organism essential for its survival in the body. This information will be used to develop new TB drugs.
Vaccine Discovery For Human Mucosal Pathogens: Identifying Novel Vaccine Antigens That Are Stably Expressed During Host Interactions, Using Analysis Of Cell-contact And Phasevarion Mediated Expression Profiles
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$418,482.00
Summary
The control of several human pathogens depends on vaccine development due to antibiotic resistance and the devastating outcome of infection. This work aims to identify new vaccine targets for diseases including gonorrhoae, ear infections, meningitis and sepsis, based on proteins required for interaction with human cells. Proteins that are randomly switched on and off in these bacteria will also be studied to better understand disease and to rule out variably expressed genes from new vaccines.