Genetic Dissection Of Biofilm Development By Non-typeable Haemophilus Influenzae
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$418,516.00
Summary
The bacterial pathogen non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is a common cause of chronic infections of the middle ear and of the airways of patients suffering cystic fibrosis, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These infections are associated with bacterial biofilms that are significantly resistant to both antibiotics and immune defences. This project aims to characterise the process of NTHi biofilm development so that novel diagnostic tools and therapeutics can be developed.
I am infectious disease physician undertaking research on natural history and therapeutic strategies in viral hepatitis, including acute hepatitis C, chronic hepatitis C and chronic hepatitis B. The hepatitis C therapeutic research has a particular focus
Improving Health Outcomes In The Tropical North: A Multidisciplinary Collaboration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,997,916.00
Summary
Improving Health Outcomes in the Tropical North will strengthen partnerships with research institutions in the NT, Qld, WA, NSW, Vic and SA, by undertaking a research agenda that will help close the gap in Indigenous health disadvantage, protect the north from emerging infectious threats and engage regional neighbours. We will establish a northern Australian network that incorporates Indigenous engagement, mentoring and knowledge translation, and facilitates collaboration with southern partners.
Determinants Of The Outcomes From Infectious Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$585,269.00
Summary
This Fellowship will allow Professor Lloyd to continue clinical and laboratory research in two areas: firstly, in relation to prevention of transmission of hepatitis C infection, and scale up of antiviral treatments, particularly amongst prisoners. Secondly, in studies investigating the biological basis of chronic fatigue states following acute infection or cancer treatment, and also in development of effective treatment for chronic fatigue states.
I am an infectious diseases physician and basic scientist interested in the immunopathogenesis of HIV and hepatitis B virus. My work focuses on HIV viral reservoirs and immune reconstitution and the adaptive immune response to hepatitis B virus.
Fine Positioning And Effector Function Of T Cells Recruited To The HCV Infected Liver
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$321,973.00
Summary
The majority of patients who become infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) are unable to mount an effective immune response and clear the virus and therefore develop lifelong (chronic) infection. The persistence of virus in the liver of patients with chronic infection results in the recruitment of significant numbers of immune cells, notably T cells, from the bloodstream into the liver where they are involved in both viral control (but not viral clearance) and liver injury. The level of tissue in ....The majority of patients who become infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) are unable to mount an effective immune response and clear the virus and therefore develop lifelong (chronic) infection. The persistence of virus in the liver of patients with chronic infection results in the recruitment of significant numbers of immune cells, notably T cells, from the bloodstream into the liver where they are involved in both viral control (but not viral clearance) and liver injury. The level of tissue injury observed and the speed of disease progression may be linked to the type of T cells recruited, their function, and their position in the liver. The aims of this project are to determine the factors involved in the fine positioning of T cells in the liver and establish a relationship between T cell recruitment, function, and progression of HCV disease in the liver.Read moreRead less
Dissecting The Role Of The Adipokine Leptin In Control Of The Inflammatory Response To Helicobacter Pylori
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$569,063.00
Summary
Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that causes chronic gastric inflammation (gastritis), which may lead to cancer. Approximately 20% of Australians are infected. As part of the search for a human vaccine, we are attempting to understand the immune response against this bacterium. This study will investigate a novel observation that adipokines-small proteins produced by fat cells can regulate the actions of immune cells in the stomach and in this way determine whether vaccination works.
Though vaccination has had a major impact on the number of persons becoming infected, chronic infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) still remains a major worldwide problem, with 350 million people chronically infected. The existence of HBV vaccine escape mutants and the fact that 5% of vaccinees fail to respond implies that HBV will remain a significant public health problem for the foreseeable future. Current treatments for chronic HBV infection have a low success rate (~20%) and patients ....Though vaccination has had a major impact on the number of persons becoming infected, chronic infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) still remains a major worldwide problem, with 350 million people chronically infected. The existence of HBV vaccine escape mutants and the fact that 5% of vaccinees fail to respond implies that HBV will remain a significant public health problem for the foreseeable future. Current treatments for chronic HBV infection have a low success rate (~20%) and patients with chronic infection are expected to die prematurely due to chronic liver disease or primary liver cancer. Interestingly, exposure to HBV can lead to either acute resolving or chronic HBV infection. Like chronic infections, acute infections involve spread of virus to virtually every hepatocyte, followed by rapid clearance of the virus mediated by the host immune response. Our immediate aim is to study the resolution of acute HBV infections to determine how the stable intracellular viral genome, covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), is cleared from the nucleus of infected hepatocytes. Our broad long-term aim is to develop new and effective treatments for chronic HBV infection based on a better understanding of how acute HBV infections are resolved by the host. Based on our previous work we believe that clearance of cccDNA requires hepatocyte death, together with compensatory proliferation of other infected hepatocytes. We will perform detailed studies in duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) infected ducks to determine if hepatocyte death and compensatory proliferation are essential to clear the infection, or if mechanisms exist for clearance that do not involve cell destruction.Read moreRead less