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.
Macrophage Lineage Contribution To Breast Cancer Metastasis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$602,501.00
Summary
When diagnosed early, breast cancer can be treated with a high degree of success. However, if the cancer spreads to other organs such as lungs and bone, patients suffer from severe pain and debilitating symptoms that often lead to death. Therapies for patients with advanced disease are extremely limited. It is the aim of this project to define the role that macrophages and stromal fibroblasts play in assisting the tumour cells to spread around the body and grow in other tissues.
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.
Evaluation Of Antibody Levels And Function In Otitis-prone And Healthy Australian Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$413,040.00
Summary
Middle ear infections are the most common reason for a child to see a doctor, receive antibiotics and undergo surgery. We have collected blood and saliva samples from children with and without ear infections to compare their antibody responses to bacteria that cause middle ear infections. We will also investigate whether there is a good host response at the site of inflammation, i.e. the middle ear.
Understanding Dendritic Cell Dysfunction And Apoptosis In Malaria In Endemic Populations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$493,179.00
Summary
The Asia-Pacific has 40% of the global malaria burden, and both major malaria species (falciparum & vivax) cause disease and death. To eliminate malaria we need to understand how malaria parasites prevent our body making new immune responses. Our experienced team will measure how and when the two major malaria parasites switch off and kill specialised immune cells, when immune cells recover after antimalarial therapy and may suggest the need for malaria drugs to be given before immunisations.
Potassium Channel Regulation Of Bacterial-driven Gastrointestinal Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$576,000.00
Summary
Helicobacter pylori infections cause a chronic inflammation which in some people results in stomach cancer or ulcers. We have used a mouse with natural resistance to H. pylori gastritis to identify a completely novel regulator of the pathology induced by this infection. In this project, we will examine the mechanism by which this regulator protects against disease in mice, and examine its significance in the susceptibility of people to gastric cancer.
Viral And Host Factors Determining Outcome Of Zika Virus Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$910,780.00
Summary
The proposal aims at identifying viral and host factors determining outcomes of infection with Zika virus, a significant mosquito-transmitted pathogen associated with debilitating neurological pathology in new-borne babies from mothers infected during pregnancy. We will use cutting edge methodologies and infections models to bring our understanding of Zika virus infection to unprecedented level. The results could also facilitate identification of targets for effective anti-viral therapy.