Investigating The Host Determinants Of Viral Clearance Versus Collateral Pathology In Chronic Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,250,756.00
Summary
Hepatitis B virus has infected over 2 billion people. Some people control the virus but it remains incurable and there is a lifelong risk of liver cancer. Understanding how host cells interact with the virus, the mechanisms the cells use in an attempt to eliminate the virus and the mechanisms the virus uses to sabotage these responses, will provide insights that could lead to therapies. Potential therapies could be applicable to other infections like HIV-1 and tuberculosis.
New Drug Combinations To Enhance Elimination Of Hepatitis B Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$888,304.00
Summary
We have developed a therapy that kills hepatitis B virus infected cells and promotes elimination of infection. We are now testing novel drugs that can be used to maximise the efficacy of our new treatment to promote better outcomes that may be translated to other infections.
About time; a new biology for the mineralocorticoid receptor . Temporal control of cell function aligns biological pathways with environmental cues and is critical for optimal heath in mammals. This project will shed light on how a hormone receptor, the MR, modulates time keeping of biological clock time in cells. We will bring together cutting edge genetic modals and bioinformatic approaches with a unique set of research models to define the interaction between the MR and the circadian clock a ....About time; a new biology for the mineralocorticoid receptor . Temporal control of cell function aligns biological pathways with environmental cues and is critical for optimal heath in mammals. This project will shed light on how a hormone receptor, the MR, modulates time keeping of biological clock time in cells. We will bring together cutting edge genetic modals and bioinformatic approaches with a unique set of research models to define the interaction between the MR and the circadian clock and its role in the normal biology of the heart. New data will significantly enhance our understanding of the biology of MR and cortisol for the circadian time keeping function in peripheral tissues, and gain a clearer understand how our heart cells adapt to environmental circadian disruptors such as shift work. Read moreRead less
Characterisation Of Anti-HBs Responses In Patients Undergoing Functional Hepatitis B Cure: Implication For Future Therapies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$723,649.00
Summary
The hepatitis B virus causes liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. There is no cure for hepatitis B. However, a small number of patients can naturally rid themselves of the virus. We have identified 14 of these individuals and discovered that they have a unique immune response that is responsible for these “natural” cures. We plan to characterise this immune response and turn it into a therapeutic vaccine which can be used to cure patients who are still chronically infected.
The Children’s Attention Project: A Community-based Longitudinal Study Of Children With ADHD And Non-ADHD Controls
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$888,833.00
Summary
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects 7% of Australian children. Little is known about the long-term mental health, academic and social outcomes for these children and the factors that influence outcomes are unclear. This will be the first Australian study to follow primary-school age children with and without diagnosed ADHD over time. It will provide an improved understanding of the impact of ADHD on children and their families and highlight potential avenues for intervention.
Determinants Of Sustained Virological Response After Discontinuation Of Long-term Nucleoside Analogue Therapy In Chronic Hepatitis B Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$976,778.00
Summary
Guidelines currently recommend lifelong treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis B, with associated cost and risks of drug resistance and side effects. It has recently been suggested that up to 50% of patients may safely and successfully stop drug after long-term treatment. Our project will identify which patients can safely stop treatment, by performing detailed studies of the human immune system and the hepatitis B virus. This will be an important advance for patient care.
How Do Cross-reactive Memory B Cells Affect Influenza Vaccine Titers?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$798,049.00
Summary
Influenza vaccines are updated frequently to protect against the highly variable influenza virus. Despite careful selection of vaccine viruses, most influenza vaccines provide only modest protection and protection is poor some years. In turn, the response to vaccination varies between individuals. This probably reflects complex and variable histories of influenza infection and vaccination. The project investigates how past influenza exposure influences vaccine responses and effectiveness.
The Contribution Of Home Language Exposure To Intergenerational Transmission Of Inequality
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,281,706.00
Summary
The amount of language stimulation from parent to child could be the key driver behind intergenerational inequality. Children learn language through social interaction and this study will significantly enhance our current understanding of exposure to language in the child's home environment. The study will demonstrate how inequalities in the early years have far reaching consequences for later health and development.
Healthy infant and young child diets from sustainable first-food systems. Breastfeeding, breastmilk and other first foods consumed during infancy and early childhood, are currently neglected in food systems research and policy action, despite their importance to establishing life-long dietary preferences, health and sustainability. This project addresses this gap, by developing a novel 'first-food systems' conceptual framework, describing global, regional and national changes in infant and young ....Healthy infant and young child diets from sustainable first-food systems. Breastfeeding, breastmilk and other first foods consumed during infancy and early childhood, are currently neglected in food systems research and policy action, despite their importance to establishing life-long dietary preferences, health and sustainability. This project addresses this gap, by developing a novel 'first-food systems' conceptual framework, describing global, regional and national changes in infant and young child diets, and generating end-user knowledge to generate political commitment for early-life nutrition. This research will deliver economic, social and environmental benefits for Australia and international communities, by helping to reduce the ill-health and environmental harms linked with unhealthy early-life diets.Read moreRead less
Aboriginal Families Study: 5-6 Year Follow-up Of An Intergenerational Birth Cohort
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,676,056.00
Summary
This study will extend follow-up mothers and children in an existing cohort of 344 women who gave birth to an Aboriginal baby in South Australia between July 2011 and June 2013. The study will investigate the health of mothers and children, as the children in the study start school. The study will provide important information about the contribution of early life experiences to health and developmental trajectories of children, and the complex interplay of maternal and child health.