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A Genome Wide Screen For Human Genes That Support The Replication Of Intracellular Bacterial Pathogens
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$321,090.00
Summary
Coxiella burnetii is a bacterium that causes a life threatening infection of humans, termed Q fever.Coxiella survives and replicates inside human cells within a unique protected niche and little is known about how the bacterium does this. This study will identify and investigate the individual human proteins that are used by the bacterium to manipulate the human cells it inhabits and the mechanisms through which the bacterium achieves this.
Elucidating Mechanisms For The Biological Activities Of CD46.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$228,000.00
Summary
The CD46 protein enables entry into cells of a number of different pathogens, including the measles virus, Neisseria meningitidis (the major cause of meningococcal disease), Neisseria gonorrhoea, Human Herpes Virus 6, and group A streptococcus. In addition, by binding to a key blood component that is often attached to foreign pathogens, CD46 can facilitate binding and entry of other pathogens. As well as facilitating entry of the pathogen, it has recently become apparent that CD46 binding trigge ....The CD46 protein enables entry into cells of a number of different pathogens, including the measles virus, Neisseria meningitidis (the major cause of meningococcal disease), Neisseria gonorrhoea, Human Herpes Virus 6, and group A streptococcus. In addition, by binding to a key blood component that is often attached to foreign pathogens, CD46 can facilitate binding and entry of other pathogens. As well as facilitating entry of the pathogen, it has recently become apparent that CD46 binding triggers a wide range of responses from the human host. Some of these responses are likely to further facilitate survival and proliferation of the pathogen, but others are more likely to facilitate host defence. For examples, signals triggered by binding to CD46 can both abrogate some aspects of the immune response (and it is though that this immunosuppression contributes to the secondary infections that cause the death of nearly one million children each year) and facilitate other aspects of the immune response. By understanding the mechanisms by which CD46 triggers these complex responses, we firstly be able to dissect how important each of these processes are to the overall pathogenecity of the virus or bacteria. Furthmore, this understanding will allow us to design better vaccines and drugs to combat these diseases.Read moreRead less
This program will investigate the strategies used by pathogenic bacteria to cause human diseases. The research will focus on how bacteria initiate infections, how they invade, cause cell and tissue damage and respond to their human host. It will also examine how the host’s innate immune system interacts with these bacteria. The results will provide new insights into host-pathogen interactions and reveal new targets for the development of novel antibacterial drugs and vaccines.
How The Intracellular Pathogen Coxiella Burnetii Manipulates Host Small GTPases To Facilitate Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$534,510.00
Summary
This study explores how the bacterium Coxiella burnetii causes the serious infectious disease Q fever. Coxiella is a potential biological weapon because it is stable in the environment and few organisms are required to cause disease. Coxiella is able to manipulate human cells to replicate in a unique location within the cell but little is known about how they do this. Here we will study the host proteins that are important during infection and how Coxiella manipulates these factors to facilitate ....This study explores how the bacterium Coxiella burnetii causes the serious infectious disease Q fever. Coxiella is a potential biological weapon because it is stable in the environment and few organisms are required to cause disease. Coxiella is able to manipulate human cells to replicate in a unique location within the cell but little is known about how they do this. Here we will study the host proteins that are important during infection and how Coxiella manipulates these factors to facilitate intracellular replication.Read moreRead less
Defining Pathogenic Mechanisms Of Intracellular Bacteria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$494,691.00
Summary
This study explores how the bacterium Coxiella burnetii causes the serious infectious disease Q fever. Coxiella is a potential biological weapon because it is very stable in the environment and few organisms are required to cause disease. Coxiella is able to commandeer human cells to replicate in a specialized vacuole but little is understood about how they do this. We will examine the virulence factors of Coxiella and investigate how they allow the bacteria to replicate inside human cells.
The Mechanisms Through Which Opiates Cause Gastrointestinal Dysfunction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$410,594.00
Summary
Opiates are the mainstay analgesics for severe pain. However, their use in pain relief can be greatly limited due to gut-related side-effects. These include chronic constipation, which is mediated through actions on neurons in the intestine. In this proposal we will examine the role of key proteins, known as beta arrestins, in the generation of opiate-induced constipation. Knowledge derived from this study will facilitate the development of analgesics with fewer gastrointestinal side-effects.
Targeting TRPV4 Activation Mechanisms To Reveal Novel Pain Therapies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$580,938.00
Summary
Pain nerves sense painful chemical and physical stimuli, by opening protein "ion channels" which let small electric currents traverse the cell membrane. This pain signal is transmitted to the spinal cord and then the brain, where it is perceived as pain and elicits a reaction. But we don't know how the ion channels open. This project will investigate how receptors for painful substances open ion channels to cause pain. Understanding this mechanism will help us to make new drugs to treat pain.
The Role Of Phosphorylation And Signalling For Invasion Of Plasmodium Falciparum Into Human Erythrocytes.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$307,946.00
Summary
The intracellular signals that govern Plasmodium falciparum malaria invasion of the red blood cell are poorly understood. It is likely calcium dependent phosphorylation leads to recruitment and activation of a cascade of proteins. This study combines a break-through in purification of viable P. falciparum merozoites with proteomic analysis of phosphorylation states to assess intracellular signalling. It is expected the processes identified will be unique to P. falciparum and targetable by drugs.
Examining The Intracellular Pathways Regulated By GM-CSF In Macrophages And The Role In Diseases Such Arthritis.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$63,567.00
Summary
A protein, termed GM-CSF, has been shown to be important in inflammatory conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis. GM-CSF can modify the properties of a key white blood cell, the macrophage, causing macrophages to produce factors harmful to host tissue. Various therapies are being developed to block GM-CSF, however discovering other drugs that block the intracellular actions of GM-CSF in macrophages are needed. Therefore the molecular pathways governing these actions need to be defined.