Identification Of Host Genetic Profiles To Combat Gastric Cancer Incidence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,644.00
Summary
Stomach cancer remains a major cause of suffering and death worldwide. While the bacterium Helicobacter pylori is known to be a very important risk factor for stomach cancer, other factors including a subject’s genetic makeup and environmental factors also play a pivotal role. Thus, we aim to identify specific innate genetic changes that are associated with increased risk of stomach cancer across different populations so that subjects can be screened for these genetic biomarkers.
Impact Of Pneumococcal Vaccination And Environmental Factors On Pneumococcal Carriage And Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$455,872.00
Summary
Pneumonia is the leading killer of children <5y of age worldwide, and the pneumococcal bacterium is a common cause. Pneumococci are carried in the noses of healthy children. In this project we will determine 1) whether carriage can be used to monitor the impact of vaccination in resource-poor settings, 2) the effect of new vaccines on ear disease and transmission using infant mouse models and 3) if exposure to smoke effects the ability of pneumococci to cause disease and altered gene expressi ....Pneumonia is the leading killer of children <5y of age worldwide, and the pneumococcal bacterium is a common cause. Pneumococci are carried in the noses of healthy children. In this project we will determine 1) whether carriage can be used to monitor the impact of vaccination in resource-poor settings, 2) the effect of new vaccines on ear disease and transmission using infant mouse models and 3) if exposure to smoke effects the ability of pneumococci to cause disease and altered gene expression.Read moreRead less
Targeting Nucleic Acid Synthesis And Cell Division In Gram-negative Bacterial Pathogens
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$966,800.00
Summary
Some bacteria like Acinetobacter species cause infections in hospitals that are difficult to treat because they have acquired resistance to most antibiotics. This project will combine the complementary expertise of five research groups to develop knowledge of, and how to block, three essential processes in these worrying pathogenic species: copying of DNA, RNA synthesis, and cell division. This promises to lead to development of new antibacterial therapies.
Targeting Lagging Strand DNA Replication In Model And Pathogenic Bacteria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$590,426.00
Summary
An increasing concern is the growing number of hospital acquired infections that cannot be treated effectively with antibiotics because the bacteria that cause them are resistant to drug treatments. This project will develop our basic understanding of how DNA is copied in bacteria that are about to reproduce themselves, and we will use this knowledge to discover ways to stop them from copying their DNA, thus killing them. This will provide the foundation for development of new antibiotics.
Role In Disease Of A Novel Epigenetic Regulator Associated With The Hypervirulent Neisseria Meningitidis Clonal Complex 41/44
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$403,249.00
Summary
Neisseria meningitis is a major cause of meningococcal septicaemia and meningitis worldwide. We have identified a phase variable DNA methyltransferase present in disease isolates, some of which have caused meningococcal epidemics. This methyltransferase is involved in the regulation of proteins involved in infection and disease processes. We will investigate whether this regulation increases the ability of the bacteria to adapt to changing host environments and cause disease.