Comparative Effectiveness Of Vaccine-induced SIV-specific CD8 T Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$607,797.00
Summary
A HIV vaccine remains elusive. Although killer T cell immunity can provide partial protection from HIV disease, we don't know the best type of killer T cells to induce by vaccination. This project compares multiple HIV vaccine strategies in macaques. We will carefully study the quality of killer T cell immunity induced using novel and cutting-edge assays. We will identify the requirements for effective killer T cell immunity to HIV.
Gamma-ray Inactivated Influenza A Virus Vaccine For Cross-protective T Cell Immunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$239,963.00
Summary
Although there are new antiviral drugs that appear to be effective against influenza virus, the far more costeffective and efficient means to combat an influenza pandemic would be by vaccination. Current influenza vaccines employ virus preparations that are inactivated by chemical treatment. The inactivated vaccines, which function mostly by inducing antibody against the virus, have to be reformulated almost every year to take account of the changing virus because the antibodies recognize the vi ....Although there are new antiviral drugs that appear to be effective against influenza virus, the far more costeffective and efficient means to combat an influenza pandemic would be by vaccination. Current influenza vaccines employ virus preparations that are inactivated by chemical treatment. The inactivated vaccines, which function mostly by inducing antibody against the virus, have to be reformulated almost every year to take account of the changing virus because the antibodies recognize the viral surface which is prone to mutation. Accordingly, in terms of the threatening H5N1 avian influenza pandemic, it is not known if an inactivated vaccine based on the circulating H5N1 strain will be effective if the virus mutates to adapt to efficient growth and spread in the human population. In contrast to the antibody response against influenza virus, the cytotoxic T cell response is broadly crossreactive between heterologous influenza virus strains. Live virus infection efficiently induces cytotoxic T cell immunity which plays an important role in reducing disease severity and mortality following infection with a second, heterologous influenza virus, although infection per se is not prevented. Accordingly, vaccination strategies that elicit cytotoxic T cell memory should be given urgent consideration in the preparation against an influenza pandemic. We have found that the use of gamma-irradiation (in contrast to chemical treatment) for the preparation of inactivated experimental vaccines against influenza and other viruses does not destroy the ability of the vaccines to elicit cytotoxic T cell immunity. The gamma-ray inactivated vaccines conferred protection against lethal challenge with heterologous influenza virus strains in mice. This proposal is aimed at extending this novel finding to avian influenza viruses and to uncover the mechanisms involved in the cytotoxic T cell immunogenicity of gamma-ray inactivated vaccines.Read moreRead less
Understanding The Importance Of Panton-Valentine Leukocidin Production In Australian Isolates Of Staphylococcus Aureus.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$118,796.00
Summary
New strains of the superbug methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have emerged in the community, causing severe, sometimes fatal infections in otherwise healthy people. These strains, called community-acquired MRSA produce a toxin (Panton-Valentine leukocidin). This project will provide important information about how this toxin promotes disease, and how the immune system responds to the toxin, providing the basis for the development of immunotherapies against this new superbug.
The Impact Of Reduced Plasmodium Falciparum And Plasmodium Vivax Transmission On The Epidemiology Of Malaria And The Acquisition Of Antigen-specific Recall Responses In Children From Papua New Guinea.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$365,166.00
Summary
Malaria represents a significant global health burden in endemic countries. Individuals gradually develop a level of immunity to the clinical symptoms of malaria as a result of continued exposure throughout their lifetime. Efforts to implement effective malaria control strategies are increasing, thereby reducing exposure. This project will investigate how such strategies will impact on the development of immunity to malaria and the amount of clinical disease observed in different age groups.
Identification of novel markers of inflammation. This project will benefit Australia as it will increase basic understanding of inflammatory processes, result in a new generation of diagnostics for inflammatory diseases that could lead to earlier diagnosis and to monitor treatment, resulting in large economic and health benefit. It may lead to development of novel new therapies using monoclonal antibodies to regulate processes in immune, cardiovascular and infectious diseases. The work will gene ....Identification of novel markers of inflammation. This project will benefit Australia as it will increase basic understanding of inflammatory processes, result in a new generation of diagnostics for inflammatory diseases that could lead to earlier diagnosis and to monitor treatment, resulting in large economic and health benefit. It may lead to development of novel new therapies using monoclonal antibodies to regulate processes in immune, cardiovascular and infectious diseases. The work will generate significant economic spin-offs to the Australian biotechnology industry and will further relationships and training between research and development.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220100165
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$451,900.00
Summary
Engineering T cells to promote peripheral immunity. Tissue-resident memory T cells (TRM) are key for immune protection against infections and cancer. This has led to much interest in understanding how these immune cells develop, although elucidation of molecules that regulate TRM are still scarce. This project aims to (i) identify genetic drivers of TRM in peripheral organs and (ii) modulate TRM generation utilising state-of-the-art genetic engineering techniques. Expected outcomes include gener ....Engineering T cells to promote peripheral immunity. Tissue-resident memory T cells (TRM) are key for immune protection against infections and cancer. This has led to much interest in understanding how these immune cells develop, although elucidation of molecules that regulate TRM are still scarce. This project aims to (i) identify genetic drivers of TRM in peripheral organs and (ii) modulate TRM generation utilising state-of-the-art genetic engineering techniques. Expected outcomes include generating new knowledge that will contribute to the development of novel therapeutics against infectious disease and cancer, together with the benefit of promoting national and international collaboration with the ultimate goal of improving health.Read moreRead less
Enhancing immunogenicity of DNA vaccines by targeted delivery to antigen presenting cells. Vaccines have proven to be one of the most effective means of preventing infection and also provide promise as a treatment for cancer. However, the range of effective technologies that make possible the delivery of vaccines that can protect against a broad range of infections is limited. DNA based vaccines are attractive because they are relatively easy to produce against a wide range of infections. Howeve ....Enhancing immunogenicity of DNA vaccines by targeted delivery to antigen presenting cells. Vaccines have proven to be one of the most effective means of preventing infection and also provide promise as a treatment for cancer. However, the range of effective technologies that make possible the delivery of vaccines that can protect against a broad range of infections is limited. DNA based vaccines are attractive because they are relatively easy to produce against a wide range of infections. However, DNA vaccines often provide poor protection against infections. This project will explore a unique technology developed in Australia and that will greatly improve the effectiveness of DNA vaccines against a broad range of diseases. Read moreRead less