Host-pathogen Interaction: The Battle For Supremacy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$480,014.00
Summary
This grant will provide salary support for Dr Rowena Bull. Dr Bull's research is focused on understanding the disease process between the human host and the infecting virus. The outcomes of this research will be used to find novel ways to fight viral infections with vaccines and drugs.
Structural Analysis Of Poxvirus Immature Particles And Spheroids
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$387,489.00
Summary
Despite the eradication of smallpox by vaccination, poxviruses remain a threat to public health because of bioterrorist scares from kept variola stocks and because of the possible emergence of other poxvirus pathogens from the extensive animal reservoir. The structural analysis of the assembly of poxvirus will not only improve our knowledge of fundamental processes, highly conserved in DNA viruses, but could also provide valuable targets for the rational design of antiviral drugs.
Evolutionary Events Shaping The Genome Of Cryptococcus Neoformans And Their Effects On Pathogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$387,489.00
Summary
Recurring infection in patients with fungal meningitis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans is typically caused by persistence of the original infection rather than reinfection with a new strain. Our analysis of relapse strains shows that small-scale alterations frequently occur at the chromosome ends - regions containing important pathogenesis-related genes in other pathogens. We seek to characterise this microevolution further to understand how it contributes to the success of this pathogen.
Application Of Mathematical Modelling And Development Of Decision Support Tools For Mosquito-borne Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$380,558.00
Summary
Mosquito-borne disease affects millions of people in Australia and overseas. Reducing the prevalence of these diseases requires an understanding of their transmission, drug resistance and role of external factors such as climate. This project will use newly developed mathematical and statistical tools to investigate transmission of malaria, and improve the reporting of Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses and dengue. Project outcomes will assist the development of evidence based policy.
Bacterial Pathogenomics: Whole-genome Sequencing To Investigate Infection Transmission, Pathogenesis And Antibiotic Resistance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$475,946.00
Summary
As bacterial superbugs – resistant to multiple antibiotics – dominate the headlines, the pipeline for new antibiotics has all but dried up. High-throughput DNA sequencing heralds a golden opportunity for infectious disease research. By studying the entire collection of genes - the genome - of large numbers of multidrug resistant bacterial strains, we aim to better understand the genetic changes that govern the emergence and global spread of superbugs and translate these findings into the clinic.
Understanding And Modulating Hyperinflammation Caused By Influenza Viruses
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,048.00
Summary
In humans, highly pathogenic influenza A virus (IAV) infections can be fatal, as the disease is untreatable with available vaccine or anti-viral drugs. My fellowship aims to advance our knowledge of the mechanisms by which the immune system induces and regulates inflammation during IAV infection, which can be both helpful and detrimental in fighting the infection. This is critical for identifying and developing new therapies for severe IAV infections in the future.
The Role Of Glycans In Arboviral Disease; From Immunomodulation To Glycotherapeutic Treatment Strategies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,180.00
Summary
Dengue and chikungunya viruses are leading causes of emerging mosquito-transmitted (arboviral) disease worldwide. Currently there are no available vaccines or therapeutics making combatting these arboviral diseases one of our most pressing global health challenges. Preliminary evidence shows that glycan recognition is critical for disease immunopathogenesis. This project focuses on the role of viral glycans in arboviral disease with the aim of identifying and expanding on new therapeutic targets