Elucidating The Pathogenic Role Of Rotavirus Infection In Type 1 Diabetes Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$535,579.00
Summary
Rotavirus infection is the main cause of severe diarrhoea in children, and has been implicated in accelerated progression of genetically at-risk children towards type 1 diabetes in two independent studies. My group has further discovered that rotavirus also accelerates diabetes onset in mice in a novel immunological process. In this project, we will determine the mechanism behind this disease exacerbation in the mice, to facilitate understanding of the process in children.
NEW INSIGHT INTO GLYCAN REQUIREMENTS FOR ROTAVIRUS-CELL ATTACHMENT AND ENTRY
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,068,758.00
Summary
Rotavirus causes significant infection and loss of life in children, particularly in underdeveloped countries. This project will investigate the role of carbohydrates as contact points for this deadly virus towards the goal of developing novel vaccines and drug therapies.
Characterisation Of Rotavirus Vaccine Escape - Potential For Significant Impact On Vaccination Program
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$531,689.00
Summary
The introduction of rotavirus vaccines have had enormous impact on improving the health of children worldwide. However, the emergence of vaccine escape strains has the potential to significantly reduce the vaccine effectiveness. This study proposes to characterise strains able to escape vaccine protection.
Optimising Rotavirus Vaccine Effectiveness In Aboriginal Children: A Double Blinded Randomised Trial Of Rotavirus Vaccine Given To Infants 6 To 12 Months Old.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,333,318.00
Summary
Rotavirus is major cause of diarrhoeal illness in children. A vaccine to protect against rotavirus was introduced into Australia in 2006/7. Unfortunately vaccine protection is lowest in those in whom disease rates are highest, including Aboriginal infants in the Northern Territory. This trial will investigate if offering an additional dose of vaccine between 6 to 12 months is an effective way to improve vaccine protection and thereby reduce this disease disparity.
Understanding How Virus Infection Accelerates Type 1 Diabetes Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$610,774.00
Summary
We linked rotavirus infection in children at-risk of type 1 diabetes with faster diabetes development. A heightened response to the virus is implicated by our mouse model studies. We will determine if more rapid mouse diabetes due to rotavirus requires this heightened response, and if this response is also made by cells from diabetes patients after stimulation with rotavirus or other relevant viruses. These studies are vital to learn how viruses affect type 1 diabetes and devise interventions.
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.