The multiplexed diagnosis of arbovirus infections using combinatorial probes. Viruses that cause serious diseases such as hemorrhagic fever or encephalitis must be quickly identified. Diagnostic tests based on DNA hybridisation are accurate and can be rapid but they are expensive. We will test a method for simplifying DNA tests and increasing their capabilities. DNA probes for detecting arboviruses will be designed at the ANU using new bioinformatic methods and their reliability will be model ....The multiplexed diagnosis of arbovirus infections using combinatorial probes. Viruses that cause serious diseases such as hemorrhagic fever or encephalitis must be quickly identified. Diagnostic tests based on DNA hybridisation are accurate and can be rapid but they are expensive. We will test a method for simplifying DNA tests and increasing their capabilities. DNA probes for detecting arboviruses will be designed at the ANU using new bioinformatic methods and their reliability will be modelled using all the available genetic information. Computer predictions will be experimentally tested in the PANBIO laboratory by using the probes to detect viral nucleic acids. The influence of virus genome complexity will be investigatedRead moreRead less
Kingdom switching microbial pathogens: the bioinformatics of mutation in the genomes of viruses and bacteria affecting crops, livestock and people. Some organisms that cause infectious diseases have moved between plants and vertebrates, either recently or repeatedly over evolutionary time. Switching between plants and vertebrates strongly influences the way these microbes mutate and evolve. We will search the genomic sequence databases for information about how the choice of host influences muta ....Kingdom switching microbial pathogens: the bioinformatics of mutation in the genomes of viruses and bacteria affecting crops, livestock and people. Some organisms that cause infectious diseases have moved between plants and vertebrates, either recently or repeatedly over evolutionary time. Switching between plants and vertebrates strongly influences the way these microbes mutate and evolve. We will search the genomic sequence databases for information about how the choice of host influences mutations in viral and bacterial genomes and model the evolutionary processes involved. This project will advance our understanding of the fine structure of microbial genomes and the importance of selection pressures on genes. It will lead to better disease management strategies for humans, and for domestic crops and livestock.Read moreRead less
A New Platform for Developing a Compound Against Herpes Simplex Virus. This project aims to further explore the research team’s recent fundamental discovery of a protein found naturally in an Australian abalone that inhibits viral entry by blocking three key viral glycoproteins. We would aim to utilise this knowledge towards development of a new class of therapeutics against Herpes simplex viruses (HSV) and their consequent infections. The new therapeutics could overcome the low bioavailability ....A New Platform for Developing a Compound Against Herpes Simplex Virus. This project aims to further explore the research team’s recent fundamental discovery of a protein found naturally in an Australian abalone that inhibits viral entry by blocking three key viral glycoproteins. We would aim to utilise this knowledge towards development of a new class of therapeutics against Herpes simplex viruses (HSV) and their consequent infections. The new therapeutics could overcome the low bioavailability of current drugs and thus significantly shorten the recurrence period. Such new drugs may have broad applicability.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220100185
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$438,712.00
Summary
Decoding the evolution of killer T cell immunity across human lifetime. The immune system is a potent weapon for protection against pathogens. T cells have a central role as their receptors monitor the body for threats. The thymus (organ) educates receptors to discriminate between healthy and infected cells. Receptor diversity and T cell strength change throughout human life. This project aims to unravel how T cells gain and lose optimal receptors and strength. The aims are to understand 1) The ....Decoding the evolution of killer T cell immunity across human lifetime. The immune system is a potent weapon for protection against pathogens. T cells have a central role as their receptors monitor the body for threats. The thymus (organ) educates receptors to discriminate between healthy and infected cells. Receptor diversity and T cell strength change throughout human life. This project aims to unravel how T cells gain and lose optimal receptors and strength. The aims are to understand 1) The role of thymic education in diversifying receptors 2) Whether gradual loss of thymic education affects receptor diversity 3) The molecular mechanisms underlying T cell strength. The project is essential for understanding how optimal T cell immunity is formed, critical if we wish to harness this to improve healthy aging.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989564
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$150,000.00
Summary
State-of-the-art facility for human and animal virus research in the Canberra and surrounding regions. New viral diseases continue to emerge and old viruses re-emerge to pose a threat to human and animal health. To combat these, we propose a dedicated viral disease research facility. The centre will include experienced researchers, biotechnology companies and government agencies working on discovery, prevention and treatment of viral diseases. Forging strong scientific links between these organi ....State-of-the-art facility for human and animal virus research in the Canberra and surrounding regions. New viral diseases continue to emerge and old viruses re-emerge to pose a threat to human and animal health. To combat these, we propose a dedicated viral disease research facility. The centre will include experienced researchers, biotechnology companies and government agencies working on discovery, prevention and treatment of viral diseases. Forging strong scientific links between these organisations will considerably enhance the productivity of these researchers, increase their collaborative and scientific outputs and allow for training of students in the latest technologies. The facility will provide researchers with cutting-edge instrumentation for nationally and internationally important projects that would benefit human health.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100525
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,000.00
Summary
Mucus control: Applying concepts from bacteriophage-mucus interactions. This project aims to examine how mucus-adherent bacteriophage interact with bacteria in mucus as a mechanism to manipulate microbiomes. Bacterial infections at mucosal surfaces in animals are a serious global health threat. Traditionally antibiotics have been used to curb mucosal infections, but antibiotic resistance means new therapies are urgently needed. Bacteriophage – viruses that infect bacteria – can kill bacteria and ....Mucus control: Applying concepts from bacteriophage-mucus interactions. This project aims to examine how mucus-adherent bacteriophage interact with bacteria in mucus as a mechanism to manipulate microbiomes. Bacterial infections at mucosal surfaces in animals are a serious global health threat. Traditionally antibiotics have been used to curb mucosal infections, but antibiotic resistance means new therapies are urgently needed. Bacteriophage – viruses that infect bacteria – can kill bacteria and might provide a layer of antimicrobial immunity in animal mucus. The anticipated outcomes are resolving how bacteriophage control bacteria within mucus, and applying concepts to bioengineer mucosal microbiomes.Read moreRead less
Maintaining fidelity in viral Ribonucleic acid (RNA) polymerases. This project will provide informed insights into the dynamics of viruses that currently impact a healthy start to life, ageing well and productively, and preventative healthcare. The analysis of viruses that cause gastroenteritis outbreaks will increase our understanding of how these viruses replicate and spread.
Biocontrol of foaming in activated sludge plants with bacteriophages. Activated sludge systems are the most widely used processes for treating wastewater in Australia. Yet most eventually suffer from episodes of bulking and foaming, where high levels of biosolids leave the plant with the treated waste, representing serious pollution hazards. Attempts to solve these problems have met with limited success.The highly novel biocontrol method proposed here will provide a specific, environmentally fri ....Biocontrol of foaming in activated sludge plants with bacteriophages. Activated sludge systems are the most widely used processes for treating wastewater in Australia. Yet most eventually suffer from episodes of bulking and foaming, where high levels of biosolids leave the plant with the treated waste, representing serious pollution hazards. Attempts to solve these problems have met with limited success.The highly novel biocontrol method proposed here will provide a specific, environmentally friendly and safe method to protect our rivers, streams and oceans form the harmful consequences of these problemsRead moreRead less
Ross River virus - identification of virulence determinants in clinical isolates from across Australia. In Australia, Ross River virus (RRV) is the most common insect borne virus that affects human health. There were more than 60,000 confirmed cases of RRV between 1993 and 2008. While not fatal, the disease is responsible for significant morbidity that has both social and economic costs for the individual, their family and the community. The project has several national benefits. It will elucida ....Ross River virus - identification of virulence determinants in clinical isolates from across Australia. In Australia, Ross River virus (RRV) is the most common insect borne virus that affects human health. There were more than 60,000 confirmed cases of RRV between 1993 and 2008. While not fatal, the disease is responsible for significant morbidity that has both social and economic costs for the individual, their family and the community. The project has several national benefits. It will elucidate whether there is any association between RRV strain and the severity of human disease. It will also identify viral markers that could assist public health officials in determining likely disease outcomes of outbreaks and could provide new avenues for the design of antiviral strategies.Read moreRead less
Equine infectious respiratory disease after long distance confined transportation. This project aims to identify the viruses and bacteria that are shed from the respiratory tract of horses after long distance confined transportation (eg, in horse floats and aeroplane stalls). Horses are transported long distances with increasing frequency, but the risk of serious respiratory disease to these horses, and the subsequent risk to other horses at the destination has not been investigated. This projec ....Equine infectious respiratory disease after long distance confined transportation. This project aims to identify the viruses and bacteria that are shed from the respiratory tract of horses after long distance confined transportation (eg, in horse floats and aeroplane stalls). Horses are transported long distances with increasing frequency, but the risk of serious respiratory disease to these horses, and the subsequent risk to other horses at the destination has not been investigated. This project will develop novel, non-invasive diagnostic techniques to facilitate early detection of these micro-organisms and will utilise new molecular genetic methods to identify the virulent strains of these organisms and to increase our understanding of their epidemiology.
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