Developing Core Bioinformatics Capacity At The Australian Institute Of Tropical Health And Medicine
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Cost-effective next generation sequencing is now a reality, meaning the bottleneck for research projects is shifting from data generation to data analysis. Researchers at the Australian Institute of Health and Tropical Medicine (AITHM) are engaged in an increasing number of high-impact projects that require timely access to bioinformatic best-practices methodologies. This proposal outlines a strategy to support these projects by developing and expanding the bioinformatics capacity within AITHM.
Population Dynamics And Evolution Of Mosquitoes That Transmit Malaria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$381,807.00
Summary
Population dynamics and evolutionary process are fundamental to mosquito-borne infectious diseases as evolutionary forces steer both mosquito and malaria parasite to evolve around obstacles in their natural development. Environmental and ecological factors also influence the relationship between mosquito, parasite and humans. Therefore control of mosquito borne disease depends on an innate understanding of the genetics, behavior and environment. Thus studies on mosquito population dynamics inclu ....Population dynamics and evolutionary process are fundamental to mosquito-borne infectious diseases as evolutionary forces steer both mosquito and malaria parasite to evolve around obstacles in their natural development. Environmental and ecological factors also influence the relationship between mosquito, parasite and humans. Therefore control of mosquito borne disease depends on an innate understanding of the genetics, behavior and environment. Thus studies on mosquito population dynamics including population densities, migration, population subdivisions and competition for resources will allow an understanding of these relationships. Island populations of malaria transmitting mosquitoes contain less genetic complexity (genetic variation in mosquito subpopulations) than mainland populations. Thus mosquito island populations may not contain the genetic capability of evolving around detrimental selection pressures such as the use of insecticides or predators. Armed with accurate knowledge of genetic complexity, biology and behavior of mosquito disease vector species, control measures can be accurately focused at specific populations (high disease transmission mosquito populations). This project we will identify specific populations of mosquitoes using their DNA to reveal genetic markers for specific behavior traits. Due to the smaller amount of genetic variations that island mosquito populations contain, and our aquired knowledge of their behavior and biology. We will design focused mosquito control strategies with knowledge that the mosquitoes will have a smaller chance of evolving around these control measures.Read moreRead less
Improving Health Outcomes In The Tropical North: A Multidisciplinary Collaboration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,997,916.00
Summary
Improving Health Outcomes in the Tropical North will strengthen partnerships with research institutions in the NT, Qld, WA, NSW, Vic and SA, by undertaking a research agenda that will help close the gap in Indigenous health disadvantage, protect the north from emerging infectious threats and engage regional neighbours. We will establish a northern Australian network that incorporates Indigenous engagement, mentoring and knowledge translation, and facilitates collaboration with southern partners.
Linking Genomics Of Burkholderia Pseudomallei To Melioidosis: Diversity Of Clinical Manifestations, Changing Epidemiology And Microevolution In Chronic Carriage.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$602,769.00
Summary
The Darwin Prospective Melioidosis Study has documented 761 cases since 1989, with 102 fatalities. This study has led to improved therapy and public health initiatives. New technology to sequence whole bacterial genomes provides an opportunity to determine why urban melioidosis is increasing and to analyse this unique 22+ year set of bacteria and their linked patient data to find the important bacterial virulence factors, forming a foundation for future diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines.
Exploring Resistance Of Plasmodium Vivax To Antimalarial Drugs: A Retrospective And Prospective Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$439,230.00
Summary
Although previously considered a 'benign' form of the disease, vivax malaria is increasingly recognised as a cause of complications and even death. Unfortunately, the parasite is developing resistance to conventional drugs. Papua New Guinea was where resistance to chloroquine was first detected and other drugs are following suit. We plan to examine the parasite genes involved in this process, including before and after the introduction of a new strategy in PNG, artemisinin combination therapy.
Early Diagnosis And Prognosis Of Severe Dengue In Vietnamese Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$689,323.00
Summary
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection. Tropical Australia has experienced multiple outbreaks of dengue in the last decade. This project, conducted in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam, will define the accuracy of a rapid diagnostic test for the early diagnosis of severe dengue. In doing so, we will also derive an algorithm using simple laboratory and clinical findings that can help identify those patients at greatest risk of severe complications, with benefits for both patients and hospitals.
Optimising Large-scale Public Health Interventions To Control Neglected Tropical Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Neglected tropical diseases (NTD) are a group of health conditions that affect the poorest of the poor, particularly in remote and rural areas. They affect the most vulnerable communities and cause substantial, chronic health harms impairing personal and social development. Several debilitating NTD are common in remote indigenous communities and Pacific islands. I propose a series of studies to investigate new strategies to control NTD in large populations where these diseases are endemic.
Spinosyns As Endectocides For Blocking Transmission Of Malaria And Other Mosquito-borne Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$758,299.00
Summary
Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite. It is transmitted by mosquitoes and kills 400,000 people annually. To prevent malaria we must stop transmission. We have discovered a natural substance that, if ingested, makes an animal's blood lethal to at least one type of mosquito. It also kills the parasite. We aim to determine if it kills other key mosquito types and how it kills the parasite. We expect this study will lead to a pill that stops transmission of malaria and other tropical diseases.
A Worm-free World: Defeating Parasitic Helminths Via Global Integrated Control
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,714,215.00
Summary
My research goal is to conquer parasitic worm infestations globally. These parasites cause substantial illness and affect the poorest people. Programs that drug-treat infected individuals are neither effective nor sustainable. My research has shown additional strategies, such as vaccination and health education, are needed. My goal is to develop and field test a combination of interventions in different settings leading to long-term control and elimination of these ancient human scourges.
Control Of Neglected Tropical Diseases In The Pacific: Integration Of Programs To Increase Their Impact
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,499,801.00
Summary
Our goal is to improve programs to control neglected tropical diseases, diseases of poverty common in Australia's neighbours: Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. Our partners are supporting the Ministries of Health in these countries to implement integrated programs to better control these diseases. Our multidisciplinary research will use improved diagnostics, spatial mapping, health systems, social science and health economics to evaluate this integrated approach to disease control.