Generation And Persistence Of Effective T Cell Immunity Towards Seasonal And Pandemic Influenza Viruses
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$451,716.00
Summary
Introduction of a new influenza strain into human circulation leads to a rapid global spread of the virus (e.g. H1N1 2009 pandemic) due to minimal antibody immunity. Established T cell immunity towards conserved viral regions promotes rapid recovery. However, it is unclear what determines the effective T cell immunity towards influenza. We will define the optimal human T cell populations, with the ultimate goal of improving vaccine design so it protects against seasonal and pandemic strains.
Understanding And Controlling Viral Escape In Influenza
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$433,156.00
Summary
Introduction of a new influenza strain into human circulation leads to a rapid global spread of the virus (e.g. H1N1-09 pandemic) due to minimal antibody immunity. Established T-cell immunity towards conserved viral regions promotes rapid recovery. However, the protective immunity exerts pressure on influenza, leading to "escape" mutations. We will unravel how the viral mutants emerge and propose strategies for T cell-based protective immunity and vaccine design against influenza.
Characterisation Of Polymorphism In HIV-1 Sequence: Investigation Of Viral Escape From HLA-restricted Immune Responses
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,250.00
Summary
Although drug therapy has been developed for treatment of HIV infection, there are many aspects of optimal long-term therapy that are problematic. An important reason for this is that HIV disease is different in different individuals, and we believe this is in large part attributable to the way in which the virus can escape an individual's unique immune responses against it. HIV has been shown to escape by mutating and evolving during infection, but the nature and extent to which this occurs in ....Although drug therapy has been developed for treatment of HIV infection, there are many aspects of optimal long-term therapy that are problematic. An important reason for this is that HIV disease is different in different individuals, and we believe this is in large part attributable to the way in which the virus can escape an individual's unique immune responses against it. HIV has been shown to escape by mutating and evolving during infection, but the nature and extent to which this occurs in everyone is not established. This is an important barrier to the design of effective vaccines against HIV. This study uses a novel method to describe the ways that HIV evolves uniquely in every individual, and to determine how this information relates to subsequent disease severity, response to therapy and response to vaccination. This will allow HIV infected patients to have better 'individualised' therapy as well as help in the design of effective vaccines.Read moreRead less
Understanding The Role Of NS Segments In Evading Influenza A Virus-specific Humoral And T Cell Immunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$213,812.00
Summary
Influenza viruses developed two ways to survive against host immune response: (i) mutating in its genes to escape host immune response, which may cause a new pandemic; (ii) using its NS1 protein to impair host immune response. However, little is known on how these two processes occur and whether NS1 could influence the outcome of escape mutants. By using virological and immunological methods, this study will show how viruses use different NS1 to enhance the viral escape mechanism.
Resolving Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Transmission
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$745,213.00
Summary
To increase the breadth of HIV prevention strategies, it is imperative that we biologically understand how HIV enters our bodies. Through two unique clinical cohorts, we will determine why circumcision is protective and how a commonly acquired sexual transmitted infection (human papilloma virus) can increase HIV transmission.
Intrinsic Host Antiviral Activity Against Pathogenic Filoviruses
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$488,754.00
Summary
Bats are a major reservoir for deadly human viruses including Ebola and Marburg virus. In contrast to humans, bats can be infected with these viruses without showing clinical signs of disease. The reason why bats can co-exist with these viruses is unknown. This study will determine if a bat antiviral molecule contributes to limiting virus release compared to the human version that could reveal strategies to prevent and control these deadly viruses in humans.