The Phylodynamics Of Human Enteroviruses: Informing Vaccine Effectiveness And Outbreak Preparedness
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$564,868.00
Summary
Enteroviruses such as EV-A71 are increasing in frequency and in Australia have resulted in the hospitalization of children with severe encephalitis. However, major aspects of their evolution and epidemiology are unknown. We will provide new insights on these important pathogens by revealing which enteroviruses are circulating in the region and whether they arise in specific localities, whether some are commonly associated with severe encephalitis, and whether some pose a greater epidemic threat.
Evolutionary Response Of Dengue And Chikungunya Viruses To A Novel Biocontrol Method
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$421,681.00
Summary
Dengue and chikungunya are mosquito-transmitted viruses that present significant public health threats to Australia and the Asia-Pacific. This project will investigate whether dengue and chikungunya can adapt in response to a bacterium that limits replication of the viruses in the mosquito. The research will provide critical data to inform new mosquito control methods aimed at breaking the virus transmission cycle. More broadly, the research will allow us to understand how viruses adapt to strat ....Dengue and chikungunya are mosquito-transmitted viruses that present significant public health threats to Australia and the Asia-Pacific. This project will investigate whether dengue and chikungunya can adapt in response to a bacterium that limits replication of the viruses in the mosquito. The research will provide critical data to inform new mosquito control methods aimed at breaking the virus transmission cycle. More broadly, the research will allow us to understand how viruses adapt to strategies aimed at limiting their replication.Read moreRead less
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.
The Genetic Basis Of Pathogen Blocking: Elucidating The Contributions Of The Wolbachia, Dengue Virus And Mosquito Genomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$736,339.00
Summary
A bacterium called Wolbachia has been shown to stop dengue virus from replicating inside mosquitoes and so is being field-tested as a biocontrol agent against dengue fever. A major threat to this strategy is the emergence of resistance either in the mosquito or virus. This proposal addresses two fundamental knowledge gaps – how does Wolbachia block virus growth and how might resistance evolve? This research is significant as it will inform the development of strategies to counter resistance.
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.
Directed Evolution Of AAV Capsid Variants For Enhanced Targeted Genome Editing In The Human Liver
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$386,012.00
Summary
Liver transplantation is often the only treatment option available for patients with severe liver disease, and is complicated by a shortage of donor organs and the need for life-long drug therapy to prevent rejection. Repair of a patient’s own liver by gene therapy is a promising alternative. This project focuses on developing the technology required to undertake precise correction of genetic spelling errors in diseased liver cells without the need to first remove them from the body.
Modelling The Evolution Of Hepatitis C Virus By Integrating Large Sequence- And Immunological-databases.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$289,980.00
Summary
Two hundred million people are infected with the Hepatitis C virus. There is no vaccine and the rate at which new strains of the virus arise enable it to evade the human immune system. This study aims to decipher how new viral strains are generated and transmitted, thereby enabling the development of new vaccines.
The diversity of HIV quasispecies within a single AIDS patient is far greater than the global diversity of influeneza annually, highlighting the enormous burden HIV imposes on the immune network. The capacity of HIV-1 to evolve quickly has significantly impaired our effort to produce effective vaccine and long lasting treatment strategy. This project utilizes multidisciplinary approaches to delineate determinants that drives the diversification of HIV-1.
Understanding The Likely Population Impact Of New And Improved Influenza Vaccines
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$358,678.00
Summary
Influenza causes a large burden of death and disease each year, as well as disruptive pandemics. Vaccines that could protect against more than one season�s flu strains (including new pandemic viruses) would be highly desirable, and may be on the horizon. Our aim is to understand the likely impact of these new vaccines on the way flu viruses spread between people, and change from one season to the next. This information is needed to justify their introduction, and inform their best use.