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Australia-Europe Malaria Research Cooperation - OzEMalaR
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$859,731.00
Summary
EVIMalaR is a European Virtual Institute for Malaria Research that combines 42 of the European Union’s leading malaria research groups plus 4 Africans, 1 Indian institution, and 1 Australian. EVIMalaR faculty will combine expertise to produce a Network of Excellence that enhances and harmonises experimental approaches through shared technological platforms, exchange visits, shared PhD students, shared resources such as databases, reagent banks and protocols across pathology, infection, immunolog ....EVIMalaR is a European Virtual Institute for Malaria Research that combines 42 of the European Union’s leading malaria research groups plus 4 Africans, 1 Indian institution, and 1 Australian. EVIMalaR faculty will combine expertise to produce a Network of Excellence that enhances and harmonises experimental approaches through shared technological platforms, exchange visits, shared PhD students, shared resources such as databases, reagent banks and protocols across pathology, infection, immunology and biochemistry. Malaria is a global problem with no single solution. A large, but sometimes disjointed, research community is addressing the problem, but more collaboration is vital. OzEMalaR will link 34 Australian labs with 47 European, African and Indian malaria researchers. Funding will enable exchange of modern technologies by supporting early career researchers (PhD and postdocs) from Australia to work and be trained in top European labs. European trainees will work and be trained by Australian malariologists using reciprocal EU supportRead moreRead less
Age Of Exposure And Immunity To Malaria In Infants
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$310,329.00
Summary
The Perth group will investigate the influence of host genetics factors in the acquisition of malaria immunity in early life. Given that host genetic factors are likely to affect outcomes in all components of the study; these data should prove highly valuable to all collaborators. Objectives: To examine systematically a comprehensive range of host genetic factors relevant to the acquisition of naturally acquired immunity to malaria in small children and to analyse host genetic polymorphisms asso ....The Perth group will investigate the influence of host genetics factors in the acquisition of malaria immunity in early life. Given that host genetic factors are likely to affect outcomes in all components of the study; these data should prove highly valuable to all collaborators. Objectives: To examine systematically a comprehensive range of host genetic factors relevant to the acquisition of naturally acquired immunity to malaria in small children and to analyse host genetic polymorphisms associated with favourable intermediate or clinical outcomes with respect to the timing of exposure to malarial parasites.Read moreRead less
Age Of Exposure And Immunity To Malaria In Infants
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$322,000.00
Summary
The development of naturally acquired immunity (NAI) against Plasmodium falciparum (P.falciparum) malaria is poorly understood. Previous studies of continuous and intermittent chemoprophylaxis in infants have provided evidence that the age of first exposure to P.falciparum during infancy may be important in determining the development of NAI, as measured by incidence of clinical malaria during the second year of life. These studies suggest that exposure to P. falciparum prior to 5 months of age ....The development of naturally acquired immunity (NAI) against Plasmodium falciparum (P.falciparum) malaria is poorly understood. Previous studies of continuous and intermittent chemoprophylaxis in infants have provided evidence that the age of first exposure to P.falciparum during infancy may be important in determining the development of NAI, as measured by incidence of clinical malaria during the second year of life. These studies suggest that exposure to P. falciparum prior to 5 months of age does not result in the development of NAI, while exposure to P. falciparum after 5 months of age leads to development of NAI. The overall objective is to evaluate the effect of exposure to P. falciparum erythrocytic stage antigens during different periods of infancy on the development of NAI. In order to explore the effect of age in the build-up of NAI we have designed a 3-arm randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial in an endemic area of southern Mozambique in which we selectively control exposure to P. falciparum at different periods during infancy (2-5 months, 5-10 months or none) with monthly chemoprophylaxis with Sulphadoxine- Pyrimethamine + Artesunate. Infants will be enrolled at birth from HIV-negative women and allocated to one of three cohorts of 98 children each. Participants will be followed up by active and passive case detection and cross-sectional surveys until 24 months of age. The risk of clinical malaria and anaemia during the second year of life will be compared between cohorts, as well as its correlation with the type and quality of immune responses (antibodies to several P. falciparum antigens, cytokines), oxidative stress markers and host genetic factors. These results should shed light on the determinants of the development of anti-P. falciparum responses early in life and the potential constraints to early life immunisation.Read moreRead less
Expression Of Malaria Parasite Invasion Associated Proteins In The Sporozoite Novel Vaccination Strategy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$202,000.00
Summary
Efforts to develop vaccines against malaria still represent a substantial focus of current research activities. Antigens present in the erythrocytic pathogenic stages of the infection account for the majority of targets investigated for potential vaccines. Experimental vaccines targeting the pre-erythrocytic stages [the sporozoite injected by the mosquito, and the hepatic stage parasite) have encompassed a lesser diversity of parasite antigens]. This is the case despite the fact that experimenta ....Efforts to develop vaccines against malaria still represent a substantial focus of current research activities. Antigens present in the erythrocytic pathogenic stages of the infection account for the majority of targets investigated for potential vaccines. Experimental vaccines targeting the pre-erythrocytic stages [the sporozoite injected by the mosquito, and the hepatic stage parasite) have encompassed a lesser diversity of parasite antigens]. This is the case despite the fact that experimentally induced sterile long-lasting immunity in humans has so far only been achieved through exposure to irradiated sporozoites. The acquisition and maintenance of this immunity depends on the use of invasive sporozoites and on the presence of developmentally arrested hepatic stage parasites.Read moreRead less
Pathogenic Role Of MicroParticles In Cerebral Malaria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$250,000.00
Summary
Cerebral malaria (CM) is a life-threatening complication of infection caused by parasites. The mechanisms leading to coma, convulsions and death in CM remain unknown. CM in children is associated with high levels of endothelial microparticles (MP). However, not only the levels but also the phenotypes of MP can be altered in CM as well as their related functional properties. The project aims to develop a better definition of the MP released during CM and to study MP phenotypes in relation to clin ....Cerebral malaria (CM) is a life-threatening complication of infection caused by parasites. The mechanisms leading to coma, convulsions and death in CM remain unknown. CM in children is associated with high levels of endothelial microparticles (MP). However, not only the levels but also the phenotypes of MP can be altered in CM as well as their related functional properties. The project aims to develop a better definition of the MP released during CM and to study MP phenotypes in relation to clinical syndrome, disease severity and disease outcome.Read moreRead less
Targeting Protein Synthesis In The Apicoplast And Cytoplasm Of Plasmodium
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$453,768.00
Summary
New antimalarial drugs are desperately needed. Protein synthesis in Plasmodium falciparum is a validated target for existing drugs and is a promising target for new drugs. This project brings together malaria biologists with chemists and computer scientists to explore this promising field. We will apply modern methods of drug target characterisation to find the most promising enzyme targets involved in protein synthesis and to identify inhibitors as leads for developing antimalarial therapies. A ....New antimalarial drugs are desperately needed. Protein synthesis in Plasmodium falciparum is a validated target for existing drugs and is a promising target for new drugs. This project brings together malaria biologists with chemists and computer scientists to explore this promising field. We will apply modern methods of drug target characterisation to find the most promising enzyme targets involved in protein synthesis and to identify inhibitors as leads for developing antimalarial therapies. Australian researchers involved in this project will provide expertise in bioinformatic prioritisation of Plasmodium drug targets from the aminoacyl tRNA synthetase family of enzymes. We will use structural modelling and docking experiments to identify promising antimalarial inhibitors, and will optimise assays to assess the effects of these inhibitors. We will also apply modern molecular biology tools to validate these enzymes as anti-malarial drug targets.Read moreRead less
Assessment Of Interventions For Controlling Pandemic Influenza And Determining Data Needs To Inform These Assessments
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$183,040.00
Summary
The aim of this study is to help us prepare for a pandemic of influenza by comparing how effective the various available control strategies are at reducing transmission of the disease. The available control interventions include: reducing the number of close contacts we make with others, isolating cases after they are diagnosed, closing schools, quarantining households, quarantining individuals who are known to have been exposed to a case, and using antiviral drugs treat and protect people at ri ....The aim of this study is to help us prepare for a pandemic of influenza by comparing how effective the various available control strategies are at reducing transmission of the disease. The available control interventions include: reducing the number of close contacts we make with others, isolating cases after they are diagnosed, closing schools, quarantining households, quarantining individuals who are known to have been exposed to a case, and using antiviral drugs treat and protect people at risk of being infected. We will compare these control measures by taking due account of the ability and resources available for these interventions, and with regard to the need to maintain essential services. The comparisons will be made using mathematical models that describe the transmission of the infection. All available data and advice from experts will be used to ensure that realistic models are used for the comparisons. We will also use the models to determine the best use of the limited antiviral drugs available, until a vaccine becomes available. We will consider how the control strategy should be changed if a strain develops that is resistant to the antiviral drugs. In addition, we will determine what data need to be collected during the early stages of a pandemic to help us to determine the best use of the antiviral drugs, the best use of a new vaccine and to check on the development of resistance to the antiviral drugs.Read moreRead less
Modelling The Biology And Transmission Of Influenza Virus - Learning From 1918-19 And Other Outbreaks
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$114,222.00
Summary
In preparing for a future pandemic of influenza, it is important to learn as much as possible from what happened in the past, particularly from the devastating pandemic of 1918-19. This project will collate detailed information about the spread of influenza in past outbreaks and create a publicly accessible data-base. Mathematical methods will be used to analyse historic and contemporary data, so as to provide better understanding of the spread of influenza, and of the likely effects of social a ....In preparing for a future pandemic of influenza, it is important to learn as much as possible from what happened in the past, particularly from the devastating pandemic of 1918-19. This project will collate detailed information about the spread of influenza in past outbreaks and create a publicly accessible data-base. Mathematical methods will be used to analyse historic and contemporary data, so as to provide better understanding of the spread of influenza, and of the likely effects of social and medical measures for its control. An important theme of the project is to consolidate our knowledge about how past exposure to non-pandemic influenza could provide short-lived protection against any new pandemic, and to explore the implications of this for prevention today. Another theme is to explore the severity of influenza during pandemics, and to identify social and medical factors that might reduce the dose of virus transmitted, or otherwise reduce the severity of infection. The insights from the modeling will also help to identify gaps in knowledge and understanding about the basic biology of influenza, stimulate new research to fill those gaps, and thus offer the prospect of more effective vaccines and treatments for the future control of influenza.Read moreRead less