Transcriptome Characterization Of Klebsiella Pneumoniae During Infection (TRACKIN)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$348,806.00
Summary
Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) is an important pathogen associated with high mortality and antimicrobial resistance. Upon infection, the host activates a sophisticated immune response, but there is evidence that KP is capable of modifying this response. Here I will take advantage of cutting-edge genome sequencing to understand the interactions between KP and host immunity. These studies will provide a pathway for the development of new therapeutic strategies to combat multiresistant infections.
Understanding Virulence In Staphylococcus Aureus And Impacts On Host Response
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$574,890.00
Summary
Golden Staph remains an important cause of serious infections in Australian patients. New strategies to combat this disease require a better understanding of how Golden Staph causes disease and escapes the natural human response to infection. This study will provide new insights into how Golden Staph causes disease, and provide a platform for developing new strategies to prevent and treat Golden Staph infections.
Understanding The Complex Relationship Between Host, Pathogen And Antibiotic Factors On Treatment Outcome In Serious Bacterial Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$380,945.00
Summary
Millions of people still die every year from bacterial infections despite the availability of antibiotics. The same bacterial infection in one person can behave very differently in another person, so infections can range from trivial to life-threatening or fatal. Understanding the relationship between the patient, the infecting bacteria and the antibiotic treatment given will ultimately help to predict and improve outcomes for patients with serious bacterial infections.
NOD1 Sensing Of H. Pylori Peptidoglycan Promotes Cell Survival And Bacterial Persistence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$792,492.00
Summary
The bacterium H. pylori lives in the stomach of half the world’s population and is a major cause of human disease, including peptic ulcers and stomach cancer. This project will investigate how H. pylori is able to manipulate the host immune system by modifying the composition of its outside layer (the cell wall). In so doing, H. pylori causes changes in cells of the stomach lining that allow the bacterium to persist, but that also may predispose the host to cancer.
We seek to gain a detailed understanding of how interactions between the West Nile virus proteins and host factors involved in the IFN response determine the outcome of virus infection. Better understanding of the mechanisms employed by this highly pathogenic virus to disable the mammalian host's IFN response will have wider implications for our understanding of other human diseases such as cancer, autoimmunity and provide new avenues for design of efficient antiviral and anticancer therapies.
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection Of Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$460,668.00
Summary
Ocular toxoplasmosis is a vision-threatening parasitic eye infection that is common in Australia and worldwide. No treatment cures the disease. This work will characterize cellular and molecular events occuring in the eye during an infection, which is an important first step toward the development of more effective treatments for patients with the condition.