The Role Of Capsid Protein Nucleolar Localisation In Chikungunya Virus: Implications For Vaccine Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$520,520.00
Summary
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a globally widespread mosquito-borne alphavirus capable of causing considerable human morbidity and mortality. With no CHIKV vaccine or antiviral available this proposal aims to develop a live attenuated CHIKV vaccine, rationally designed by investigating the host cell nucleolar trafficking of CHIKV capsid protein. This vaccine has the potential to provide cross-protection against additional arthritogenic alphaviruses endemic to Australia such as Ross River virus.
Characterising The Beta-catenin Nuclear Targeting Pathway In Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$485,081.00
Summary
Bowel cancer is caused by inherited gene mutations that cause build-up of beta-catenin protein in the cell nucleus. Bowel cancer is the second largest cause of cancer deaths in Australia. We aim to study the mechanisms controlling beta-catenin accumulation in the nucleus. We will characterise new signalling pathways that control movement and activity of beta-catenin in the nucleus. This will yield insights into the role of beta-catenin in cancer and possible targets for therapy.
Subcellular Trafficking Of P Proteins Of Human Pathogenic Viruses: Roles In Viral Pathogenicity And Targeting For Therapeutics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$578,352.00
Summary
In order to infect humans, pathogenic viruses such as rabies, Nipah, Hendra and Australian bat lyssavirus must be able to evade the immune response. To do this, viruses produce "interferon antagonists" that interfere with specific immune processes by mechanisms that are not fully understood. Our study will characterise the mechanisms used by rabies and other viruses to block immunity, and identify strategies to disable viral immune evasion, rendering these lethal viruses susceptible to destructi ....In order to infect humans, pathogenic viruses such as rabies, Nipah, Hendra and Australian bat lyssavirus must be able to evade the immune response. To do this, viruses produce "interferon antagonists" that interfere with specific immune processes by mechanisms that are not fully understood. Our study will characterise the mechanisms used by rabies and other viruses to block immunity, and identify strategies to disable viral immune evasion, rendering these lethal viruses susceptible to destruction by the human immune system.Read moreRead less
Approaches to combat AIDS and its causative agent, the human immunodeficiency virus HIV-1, have thus far proved ineffective. The proposed research program intends to investigate the nuclear import of two HIV-1 proteins which have central roles in HIV infection. We will apply our expertise in the area of the regulation of nuclear import of viral proteins, and build on our observations with respect to these proteins to attempt to establish the mechanistic basis of their nuclear import, and how thi ....Approaches to combat AIDS and its causative agent, the human immunodeficiency virus HIV-1, have thus far proved ineffective. The proposed research program intends to investigate the nuclear import of two HIV-1 proteins which have central roles in HIV infection. We will apply our expertise in the area of the regulation of nuclear import of viral proteins, and build on our observations with respect to these proteins to attempt to establish the mechanistic basis of their nuclear import, and how this differs from the conventional nuclear import pathways used by normal cellular proteins. We already have evidence that nuclear import of HIV-Tat is regulated in novel fashion by cellular factors, and intend, through determining its mechanistic basis, to be able to form the basis of a strategy to block this import pathway specifically, and thereby inhibit HIV replication. This may form the basis in the future of a new pharmaceutical approach to combat HIV-AIDS.Read moreRead less
Rotavirus is the main cause of severe diarrhoea in children worldwide. In this project, we aim to understand the nature of the first-line immune response to rotavirus in the gut, and elucidate how RV counteracts this response to promote infection. These studies will increase our understanding of how rotavirus causes disease, and facilitate the choice of rotavirus targets for drug development and improved vaccines.
Seafood Trade Advisory Group - Transitioning To A New Communications, Governance And Operating Model
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$444,000.00
Summary
The STAG has been operational since 2013 providing services to Australian abalone and rock lobster exporters to engage with government and to support in market access negotiations with unified and well researched considered input. The STAG has a track record of success based on a collaborative priority setting process and a clear focus on resolving the highest priority issues. While primarily focused on the issues faced by abalone and rock lobster exporters many of the STAG activities have be ....The STAG has been operational since 2013 providing services to Australian abalone and rock lobster exporters to engage with government and to support in market access negotiations with unified and well researched considered input. The STAG has a track record of success based on a collaborative priority setting process and a clear focus on resolving the highest priority issues. While primarily focused on the issues faced by abalone and rock lobster exporters many of the STAG activities have benefited the broader seafood exporter community eg the International Freight Assistance Mechanism, tracking and communicating impacts of the COVID pandemic on markets, facilitating an agreed priority listing for adding new species to the approved import list for China and establishing a market intelligence service has been established and weekly newsletters keep Australian seafood exporters up to date on market trends and consumer insights as well as technical market access issues.
Seafood Industry Australia has recently developed a Seafood Industry Export Plan. As part of that plan SIA is building capability and has received Australian Government funding through the ATMAC funding to deliver trade facilitation services.
There is an opportunity for the STAG to move to a new expanded business model under the auspices of SIA capitalising on the resources and capacities of both organisations. The new model will include communications, governance, operations and funding. What that looks like and how that transition should occur will be addressed through application.
While the transition plan is being developed, agreed and implemented it is important that the STAG to continue operations, providing services as agreed by the Partnership Group. The international trade environment is still extremely volatile, as it has been for the past two years. The STAG provides a valuable early warning and quick response mechanism for dealing with disruptions, a market intelligence service and international seafood trade expertise to support the Abalone and Rock Lobster sectors as they face the challenging task of regaining and maintaining China market access while pursuing market diversification strategies.
There is a need to build additional seafood specific international trade knowledge and capacity so the STAG and SIA will work together to identify opportunities to facilitate this. Objectives: 1. To develop and implement agreed arrangements to transition the STAG to a new business model (communications, governance, operations and funding) within the SIA 2. To deliver agreed trade and market access services according to the agreed Seafood Trade Agenda and Action Plan for Abalone and Rock Lobster Read moreRead less
Role Of Human SRY And SOX9 In Sex Determination And Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$308,820.00
Summary
The decision to develop as a male or female is controlled by a genetic pathway which culminates in the development of a testis or an ovary in the human embryo. The correct development of these reproductive organs depends on the coordinated activation of a network of genes by transcription factors. Analysis of patients with defective reproductive organs has shown that a number of these individuals have mutations in two transcription factor genes, SRY and SOX9. Mutations in SRY (Swyer syndrome) or ....The decision to develop as a male or female is controlled by a genetic pathway which culminates in the development of a testis or an ovary in the human embryo. The correct development of these reproductive organs depends on the coordinated activation of a network of genes by transcription factors. Analysis of patients with defective reproductive organs has shown that a number of these individuals have mutations in two transcription factor genes, SRY and SOX9. Mutations in SRY (Swyer syndrome) or SOX9 (autosomal sex reversal-campomelic dysplasia) cause the development of female reproductive structures in individuals with male chromosomes. Towards understanding how SRY and SOX9 work to determine sex, we have identified four proteins that interact with SRY and SOX9. Two of these proteins, called importin-beta and calmodulin have a role in transporting SRY and SOX9 into the cell nucleus. The other two proteins, called PC4 and HSP70, appear to be involved in co-operating with SRY and-or SOX9 to turn genes on. In the developing mouse testis, a large number of genes are expressed at the time immediately following the expression of SRY and SOX9. We will identify which of these 50 genes are being directly switched on or off by SRY and SOX9 during sex determination. These studies will identify how SRY and SOX9 direct normal testis formation and how mutations cause developmental defects. Also, by unravelling the testis formation pathway, we expect to identify new genes involved in sexual dysmorphology syndromes.Read moreRead less