Evolution And Pathogenicity Of NDM-1 Positive Escherichia Coli
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$643,275.00
Summary
Antibiotic resistance (AR), as highlighted by the WHO, is the most pressing medical need of the 21C – some infections are now untreatable. Our research will focus on the new "superbug" NDM-1 positive E. coli. We will correlate AR and pathogenicity and explore the evolution of these "superbugs" using state-of-the-art sequencing. This research will benefit Australian medicine by predicting timelines of AR epidemics and by conducting the first analyses on the virulence potential of these strains.
Identifying Key Players In The Spread Of Antimicrobial Resistance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$817,448.00
Summary
Antibiotic drugs are essential to treat bacterial infections. However some bacteria have genes that allow them to resist certain drugs, which can be transferred among bacteria to create 'superbugs' that can resist nearly all the drugs we have. This project investigates the transfer of drug resistance genes between Gram negative bacteria (common agents of food poisoning, hospital infection, UTI, etc) and aims to identify the bacteria and genes most important in the spread of superbugs in Australi ....Antibiotic drugs are essential to treat bacterial infections. However some bacteria have genes that allow them to resist certain drugs, which can be transferred among bacteria to create 'superbugs' that can resist nearly all the drugs we have. This project investigates the transfer of drug resistance genes between Gram negative bacteria (common agents of food poisoning, hospital infection, UTI, etc) and aims to identify the bacteria and genes most important in the spread of superbugs in Australia.Read moreRead less
ROLE OF RIP KINASES & IAPs IN MUCOSAL IMMUNE DEFENCE
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,168.00
Summary
Pathogenic bacteria are master manipulators of the inflammatory signalling pathways designed to thwart them. Understanding how they do this will allow us to develop drugs that limit their ability to infect. We have shown that pathogenic bacteria inject a protein called EspL into human cells to promote the destruction of a family of human proteins, called RIP Kinases (RIPK), that co-ordinate the inflammatory response and aim now to discover how EspL causes RIPK degradation and thereby promotes in ....Pathogenic bacteria are master manipulators of the inflammatory signalling pathways designed to thwart them. Understanding how they do this will allow us to develop drugs that limit their ability to infect. We have shown that pathogenic bacteria inject a protein called EspL into human cells to promote the destruction of a family of human proteins, called RIP Kinases (RIPK), that co-ordinate the inflammatory response and aim now to discover how EspL causes RIPK degradation and thereby promotes infection.Read moreRead less
Functional And Genomic Analysis Of The Globally Disseminated Multidrug Resistant Escherichia Coli ST131 Clone
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$825,537.00
Summary
Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is a major cause of urinary tract infections (UTI) and sepsis. Recently, a highly virulent clone of UPEC (E. coli ST131) that is resistant to multiple types of antibiotics has emerged and spread worldwide. This project uses genomic and high-throughput functional analysis methods to understand E. coli ST131 virulence and resistance. The outcomes of the work will be a better understanding of how E. coli ST131 causes disease, and potentially new treatment regim ....Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is a major cause of urinary tract infections (UTI) and sepsis. Recently, a highly virulent clone of UPEC (E. coli ST131) that is resistant to multiple types of antibiotics has emerged and spread worldwide. This project uses genomic and high-throughput functional analysis methods to understand E. coli ST131 virulence and resistance. The outcomes of the work will be a better understanding of how E. coli ST131 causes disease, and potentially new treatment regimes for UTI.Read moreRead less
Multi-Targeted Inhibition Of An Essential Tetrameric Enzyme From Drug -Resistant Streptococcus Pneumonie.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$534,313.00
Summary
Streptococcus pneumoniae is an significant human pathogen which causes several diseases including pneumonia and meningitis. Treatment of infection involves the use of antibiotics such as penecillin, however, resistant strains are now emerging. This project will address the real need to develop new antibiotics targeting this organism. This is essentially a drug discovery project which exploits a novel means to target Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Cluster Randomised Trial Comparing One Versus Two Doses Of Ivermectin For Mass Drug Administration To Control Scabies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$540,512.00
Summary
Scabies is a common skin disease in developing countries, in particular in the Pacific region. In the Western Province of Solomon Islands, one in two children suffer from the infestation, and 20% of the population. We know that mass drug administration with two doses of oral ivermectin is effective to reduce the burden of scabies in the community. We now propose a study to determine whether one single dose is as effective. This would have major public health benefits.
Does Mass Drug Administration For Scabies Result In Control Of Serious Bacterial Complications? A Proof Of Concept Towards Global Elimination.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$883,760.00
Summary
Scabies is common skin disease in developing countries, in particular in the Pacific region. In Fiji, one in two children suffer from the infestation, which affects over 20% of the population. A recent study conducted in Fiji on 2000 people showed that mass drug administration (MDA) with oral ivermectin is a safe and effective way to reduce the burden of scabies in the community. We will expand the MDA program to 100,000 people, the largest study of MDA ivermectin for scabies ever undertaken.
Targeting Hypermutable ‘superbugs’ In Chronic Respiratory Infections By Optimised Antibiotic Combination Dosage Regimens
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$697,731.00
Summary
Many bacterial ‘superbugs’ can increase their mutation rate, i.e. become hypermutable, and thus rapidly become resistant to multiple antibiotics. Chronic lung infections with hypermutable bacteria cause increased ill-health and death in patients and current treatments do not work well. We will develop improved treatments using combinations of available antibiotics. This project will provide guidance to doctors on how to treat infections more effectively and minimise emergence of resistance.
A specialised set of T lymphocytes called Mucosal Associated Invariant T (MAIT) cells react against bacteria and yeast, and reside at mucosal sites where the body's immune defences are most easily breached, e.g. respiratory tract and intestinal mucosa. This study investigates the role of MAIT cells in both protection and pathology in bacterial infections. Controlling MAIT cells could help in treating these conditions.
Group A streptococcus (GAS) is a bacteria that causes a wide range of disease in humans. GAS diseases are more common in Australias Indigenous population, and other health and economically disadvantaged groups than more affluent groups. In this study we will evaluate the effectiveness of novel vaccine candidates designed to prevent infection from all strains of GAS.