Characterization Of Human-specific Anti-microbial Pathways
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$586,428.00
Summary
The immune system protects us against infectious disease by killing invading microbes or pathogens. Macrophages are white blood cells that are important for the recognition and destruction of pathogens. This project aims to investigate the role of certain genes, which are turned on in macrophages when they sense invading pathogens, in protecting us against infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and gastroenteritis.
Pro-apoptotic Therapies For The Treatment Of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Disease And Latent Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$140,949.00
Summary
Programmed cell death has an important role in our ability to fight organisms. Upon infection, processes result in activation of death-inducing cascades, resulting in death of cell and pathogen. M. tuberculosis, an escalating health problem, has developed mechanisms to prevent this, leading to latency. This study, which uses mouse M.tb models, hypothesises that reversal of these mechanisms, using drugs currently in trial in leukaemia (ABT-737 & BV6), may lead to clearance of infection.
Investigation Of The Use Of Innate And CD1-mediated Immune Responses As Biomarkers In Tuberculosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$144,836.00
Summary
Tuberculosis and other non-tuberculosis mycobacterial infections are major health problems worldwide. There are multiple challenges facing treatment and identification of active versus latent TB infections currently. This project aims to identify and characterise several aspects of the immune system which may be responsible for people developing active infections, including ones which may enable development of diagnostic tests and to monitor treatment. Such a biomarker may also help hasten new d ....Tuberculosis and other non-tuberculosis mycobacterial infections are major health problems worldwide. There are multiple challenges facing treatment and identification of active versus latent TB infections currently. This project aims to identify and characterise several aspects of the immune system which may be responsible for people developing active infections, including ones which may enable development of diagnostic tests and to monitor treatment. Such a biomarker may also help hasten new drug therapies for tuberculosis.Read moreRead less
Investigating The Role Of Mucosal Associated Invariant T (MAIT) Cells In Mycobacterium Tuberculosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$122,566.00
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) is a deadly infectious disease that kills 2 million people per year worldwide. If we are to eliminate this disease, we urgently need a new TB vaccine. I plan to look at what role a newly discovered type of T cell might play in TB infection and to see whether these cells can be manipulated by vaccination. This work will help us to understand more about the body’s first response to TB infection and how we can use this response in the design of new TB vaccines.
Enhancing Host Defence Against Intracellular Pathogens By Preventing INOS Interaction With A Negative Regulator, SSB-2
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$448,881.00
Summary
Secretion of nitric oxide (NO) gas by immune cells is a critical defence mechanism for the killing of intracellular pathogens. Production of NO within cells is regulated by the enzyme iNOS. We propose that preventing iNOS from interacting with its natural inhibitor protein (SSB-2) would allow enhanced and prolonged iNOS expression leading to increased NO and increased killing of pathogens such as the mycobacterium tuberculosis and the Leishmania parasite.