Helicobacter Pylori Acquisition Of Host Cholesterol: Its Role In Inflammation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$417,380.00
Summary
The bacterium Helicobacter pylori is present in the stomach of half the world’s population. It is estimated that 20% of these people will suffer from peptic ulcer disease, whereas as many as 1% will develop stomach cancer later in life. The common factor in all these diseases is the inflammation induced by the bacterium. This project will investigate a new mechanism by which H. pylori causes inflammation and how dietary cholesterol may be involved in this process.
Epithelial Cell Signalling And Host Responses To Virulent Helicobacter Pylori Strains.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$502,361.00
Summary
The stomach bacterium Helicobacter pylori causes various types of gastrointestinal disease. One of the questions that still perplexes researchers in the field, however, is why some infected individuals develop very severe forms of disease (ulcers or cancer) whilst others develop only inflammation. This project will investigate H. pylori interactions with cells that line the stomach wall and how these interactions may contribute to the development of more severe disease.
Defining The Role Of Plasminogen Activation In Group A Streptococcal Invasive Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,763.00
Summary
The "flesh-eating" bacteria group A streptococcus (GAS) causes life threatening invasive diseases such as necrotizing fasciitis and toxic shock syndrome (>600,000 cases and 163,000 deaths per year). For some types of GAS, plasminogen binding is essential for virulence.The aim of this work is to determine the extent to which plasminogen binding contributes to disease caused by highly virulent GAS. These studies will allow the development of new therapeutics and treatments.