Preventing Infections In Young Infants With Azithromycin In Labour (PreYIAL): A Blinded Placebo-controlled Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,491,051.00
Summary
Approximately one million babies die from infection each year with almost all deaths occurring in poor countries. Many of these infections are acquired from the mother around labour. Skin infection rates are very high in Pacific island countries. Our study in Fiji will determine whether a single dose of antibiotic in labour reduces infant skin infections. We will also assess the effect on maternal and infant infection rates, and the carriage of common bacterial.
Fetal Immune Response To Vertical Transmission Of Toxoplasma Gondii
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,891.00
Summary
Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite that is a leading cause of human abortion and congenital infections of newborns. In addition, recent research implicates Toxoplasma in diagnoses of schizophrenia and other neuromental conditions. Study of Toxoplasma, it's transmission and effects of infection and development of tools such as vaccines and diagnostic technologies will lead to an improvement in health of mothers, newborns and the wider population.
Gene Expression Changes Induced Upon Beta3 Integrin Expression In Human Melanoma Metastasis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$199,413.00
Summary
Diagnostic and prognostic markers for metastatic melanoma are essential to better understand the development of this cancer. One of the most effective markers so far found to correlate with invasiveness of tumour cells, and hence lethality of melanoma, is the Beta3 integrin molecule. When this protein is expressed on the surface of early stage melanoma cells, that in themselves are not able to form metastatic tumours, they convey upon the cells the ability to proceed from growing on the surface ....Diagnostic and prognostic markers for metastatic melanoma are essential to better understand the development of this cancer. One of the most effective markers so far found to correlate with invasiveness of tumour cells, and hence lethality of melanoma, is the Beta3 integrin molecule. When this protein is expressed on the surface of early stage melanoma cells, that in themselves are not able to form metastatic tumours, they convey upon the cells the ability to proceed from growing on the surface of the skin (radial growth phase) to allowing them to invade the skin (vertical growth phase). It is not clear how expression of Beta 3 allows this change in growth state to occur and this research program is designed to test if Beta 3 is the direct cause of gene expression changes mediating the metastatic transformation. To provide insight into the genetic changes induced in melanoma cells expressing the Beta3 protein a screen for genes that are either activated or repressed in the presence of Beta3 will be performed. Non-metastatic melanoma cells will be transduced with the Beta 3 gene and a molecular technique applied to these cells that can identify genetic differences which will allow the cloning of differentially expressed genes. The gene fragments that are identified will first provide clues as to what the genes are that maybe switched on or off to allow the tumour to grow beneath the skin. They will also form the basis of a Ometastatic melanoma gene panelO that can be tested for its diagnostic value of tumours. The utility and reproducibility of the gene panel will be confirmed by testing melanoma cell lines and tumour tissue. These experiments should lead to better diagnosis of metastatic melanoma and also possible new avenues to develop therapies for the disease.Read moreRead less
Understanding The Likely Population Impact Of New And Improved Influenza Vaccines
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$358,678.00
Summary
Influenza causes a large burden of death and disease each year, as well as disruptive pandemics. Vaccines that could protect against more than one season�s flu strains (including new pandemic viruses) would be highly desirable, and may be on the horizon. Our aim is to understand the likely impact of these new vaccines on the way flu viruses spread between people, and change from one season to the next. This information is needed to justify their introduction, and inform their best use.
I am a molecular physiologist investigating the structure and function of the inhibitory neurotransmitter glycine receptor (GlyR) and GABA type- A receptor (GABAAR) chloride channels. We are interested in understanding how these receptors open and close
Tuberculosis - Transmission, Drug Resistance And Strain Emergence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$290,652.00
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) kills nearly 2 million people each year. The emergence of drug resistant TB in the Asia-Pacific region pose a particular threat to Australia, due to frequent population mixing and ongoing TB transmission that may facilitate its spread within vulnerable communities. The proposed study will develop advanced tools to monitor and limit TB transmission within Australia. It will also provide novel insight into the evolution of the global TB epidemic and key factors that sustain it.