Quorum Sensing Signal Molecule Modulation Of Immunity: Role In Host Responses To P. Aeruginosa Lung Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$251,014.00
Summary
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a bacterium that causes serious infections in humans, particularly those with Cystic Fibrosis, or who are immunocompromised, suffering serious burn injuries or have long term catheters. This study will investigate how P. aeruginosa may be able to increase its virulence by producing molecules known as Quorum Sensing Signal Molecules (QSSM). We believe the production of these QSSMs by this bacterium enables them to affect how the host responds by affecting their immune sy ....Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a bacterium that causes serious infections in humans, particularly those with Cystic Fibrosis, or who are immunocompromised, suffering serious burn injuries or have long term catheters. This study will investigate how P. aeruginosa may be able to increase its virulence by producing molecules known as Quorum Sensing Signal Molecules (QSSM). We believe the production of these QSSMs by this bacterium enables them to affect how the host responds by affecting their immune system. We will be investigating how this QSSM may suppress immunity and what influence this has on both the severity of infection and the potential for development of chronic infection. The study will first of all determine where the QSSM exerts its effects (that is, can it escape from the site of infection to affect other host sites) and this will direct us in how we may learn more about the way it can affect the host during an infection. We will investigate the direct affects of QSSM on acute and chronic types of P. aeruginosa lung infection and then from this, determine if the outcome exacerbates a subsequent infection. The work is significant in that a knowledge and understanding of these virulence factors will assist in the design of better therapeutic and prophylactic strategies for both prevention of infection in susceptible individuals and treatment of those that suffer from chronic infection.Read moreRead less
A Novel Strategy Targeting Quorum Sensing Molecules And Catalase Function To Block Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Lung Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$451,118.00
Summary
Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes serious infections, particularly in those with Cystic Fibrosis, immunocompromise, serious burns or long term catheters. We will use a unique strategy to target virulence factors that will assist in clearing acute infection, prevent establishment of new chronic infections, and potentially reduce severity of established chronic infections. It has the potential to make antibiotic therapy more effective and lessen the extent of antibiotic therapy required.
Objectives: 1. Better understand the oceans off north-western Australia by measuring currents and sea surface temperatures with satellite tracked drifters. 2. Disseminate this information to the industry.
BCA - Development, Application And Evaluation Of The Use Of Remotely Sensed Data By Australian Fisheries
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$5,445.45
Summary
Objectives: 1. To develop computational procedures for the validation, analysis and interpretation of ocean colour data, and to provide derived data sets as input to the analysis of selected fisheries 2. To determine in conjunction with key industry operators of the east Australian tuna fisheries the utility of SeaWIFS and satellite temperature data in improving the catch and efficiency for yellowfin and skipjack tuna, and to determine the economic benefit-cost of the use of satellite ....Objectives: 1. To develop computational procedures for the validation, analysis and interpretation of ocean colour data, and to provide derived data sets as input to the analysis of selected fisheries 2. To determine in conjunction with key industry operators of the east Australian tuna fisheries the utility of SeaWIFS and satellite temperature data in improving the catch and efficiency for yellowfin and skipjack tuna, and to determine the economic benefit-cost of the use of satellite imagery in the operational fishery Read moreRead less
Development, Application And Evaluation Of The Use Of Remotely Sensed Data By Australian Fisheries
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$680,942.56
Summary
Objectives: 1. To develop computational procedures for the validation, analysis and interpretation of ocean colour data, and to provide derived data sets as input to the analysis of selected fisheries 2. To determine in conjunction with key industry operators of the east Australian tuna fisheries the utility of SeaWIFS and satellite temperature data in improving the catch and efficiency for yellowfin and skipjack tuna, and to determine the economic benefit-cost of the use of satellite ....Objectives: 1. To develop computational procedures for the validation, analysis and interpretation of ocean colour data, and to provide derived data sets as input to the analysis of selected fisheries 2. To determine in conjunction with key industry operators of the east Australian tuna fisheries the utility of SeaWIFS and satellite temperature data in improving the catch and efficiency for yellowfin and skipjack tuna, and to determine the economic benefit-cost of the use of satellite imagery in the operational fishery Read moreRead less
Inhibition Of Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule Expression By High Density Lipoproteins
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$80,550.00
Summary
It is well known that high levels of cholesterol in blood cause coronary heart disease. However, it is also known that not all of the blood cholesterol is bad. If it is carried in particles called low density lipoproteins or LDLs it causes heart disease. But if it is carried in other particles known as high density lipoproteins or HDLs it does not. In fact, it is now well known that HDLs actually protect against the development of coronary heart disease. There are two main actions of HDLs that c ....It is well known that high levels of cholesterol in blood cause coronary heart disease. However, it is also known that not all of the blood cholesterol is bad. If it is carried in particles called low density lipoproteins or LDLs it causes heart disease. But if it is carried in other particles known as high density lipoproteins or HDLs it does not. In fact, it is now well known that HDLs actually protect against the development of coronary heart disease. There are two main actions of HDLs that contribute to their ability to protect. Firstly, they are known to drain cholesterol out of coronary arteries. We have recently shown that they have a second action. The end result of this second action is a slowing down of the entry into coronary arteries of cells called monocytes that are necessary for the development of the atherosclerosis that causes the heart disease. This project is concerned with this ability of HDLs to slow down the development of atherosclerosis by the second action. We have found that this second action of HDLs is influenced by the type of fats they carry. We propose now to investigate the mechanism by which different fats influence this action of HDLs with a view to devising new strategies for the prevention of heart disease.Read moreRead less
Determining Genetic Stock Structure Of Bigeye Tuna In The Indian Ocean Using Mitochondrial DNA And DNA Microsatellites.
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$88,398.00
Summary
This proposal was developed in response to a call from WCTBFMAC for research into the population structure of bigeye tuna stocks exploited in the west coast tuna fishery. The longline fishery for bigeye tuna off the western coast of Australia is a rapidly expanding fishery due to the high export value of this species. information regarding the stock structure of bigeye tuna is vital for the long term sustainability of the fishery. Uncertainty regarding bigeye stock struc ....This proposal was developed in response to a call from WCTBFMAC for research into the population structure of bigeye tuna stocks exploited in the west coast tuna fishery. The longline fishery for bigeye tuna off the western coast of Australia is a rapidly expanding fishery due to the high export value of this species. information regarding the stock structure of bigeye tuna is vital for the long term sustainability of the fishery. Uncertainty regarding bigeye stock structure seriously restricts the confidence that scientists and fisheries managers can place in the regional assessments that have been carried out to date. At a national or sub-regional level, fisheries managers need to have a better idea of the broader surrounding population of bigeye from which the fish in their fisheries are drawn. In fact, knowledge of the stock structure of bigeye tuna in the eastern Indian Ocean has been listed as the number one priority of the Western Coast Tuna and Billfish Management Advisory Committee. Objectives: 1. To carry out a pilot study into the genetic stock structure of bigeye tuna in the Indian Ocean aimed at determining whether fish from four locations (Western Australia, South Africa, Seychelles, and Indonesia) are drawn from a common gene pool or whether they represent reproductively isolated spawning populations. 2. To compare this Indian Ocean data with data already being collected for the Atlantic Ocean and western tropical Pacific Ocean to gain a broader understanding of the global population structure of bigeye tuna. 3. Should evidence of large scale stock structuring within the Indian Ocean be evident, then a more extensive study will be proposed to indicate the number and extent of the different stocks within the Indian Ocean. This study will likely take the form of a two year proposal. It will attempt to confirm temporal stability of markers and resolve finer population structure by examination of more loci, additional sample locations, and an increased numbers of individuals sampled per location. Read moreRead less