Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine
Brian Cooke
- Adjunct Professor
- brian.cooke@jcu.edu.au
Amanda Murphy
- Senior Research Fellow
- amanda.murphy@jcu.edu.au
Tessa Knox
- Principal Research Fellow
- tessa.knox@jcu.edu.au
Justin Sexton
- Adjunct Research Fellow
- justin.sexton1@jcu.edu.au
Adeshina Adekunle
- Adjunct Research Fellow
- adeshina.adekunle@jcu.edu.au
Brogan Amos
- Adjunct Research Fellow
- brogan.amos@jcu.edu.au
Rachael Ryan
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow
- rachael.ryan1@jcu.edu.au
Emma McBryde
- Adjunct Professor
- emma.mcbryde@jcu.edu.au
Juergen Reichardt
- Adjunct Professor
- juergen.reichardt@jcu.edu.au
Tanya Russell
- Principal Research Fellow
- tanya.russell@my.jcu.edu.au
Discovery of Novel Biomarkers for Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) Infection Related Cancers - HL Study (Old ID 23629)
There is a large body of evidence indicating that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) actively contributes to the pathogenesis of multiple tumours. We hypothesize that the antibody response to EBV in individuals with and without cancer (cases and controls) using our proprietary EBV proteome array, to identify an antibody signature which predicts cancer risk. The ultimate goal is an immunodiagnostic test to identify individuals in the general population who are at high risk of developing infection-related cancers. Extending previous studies, we will probe defined samples from the HL study provided by colleagues at NIH/NCI.
Understanding immunogenicity, safety, and protective efficacy of next-generation vaccines for tuberculosis.
Tuberculosis (TB) is the deadliest infectious diseases worldwide, causing 1.5 million deaths annually. TB is caused by a bacterium, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), which is transmitted via aerosols from infectious individuals. The rise of multidrug-resistant TB, highlights the worldwide urgent need for effective vaccines to control this disease. Currently, the only licensed TB vaccine for human use, Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG), provides limited protection, particularly in adults. This project focuses on improving next-generation TB vaccines by addressing key safety concerns, providing a foundation to evaluate their safety, immunogenicity and efficacy and laying the groundwork for their potential use in clinical settings.
Understanding immunogenicity, safety, and protective efficacy of next-generation vaccines for tuberculosis.
Tuberculosis (TB) is the deadliest infectious diseases worldwide, causing 1.5 million deaths annually. TB is caused by a bacterium, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), which is transmitted via aerosols from infectious individuals. The rise of multidrug-resistant TB, highlights the worldwide urgent need for effective vaccines to control this disease. Currently, the only licensed TB vaccine for human use, Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG), provides limited protection, particularly in adults. This project focuses on improving next-generation TB vaccines by addressing key safety concerns, providing a foundation to evaluate their safety, immunogenicity and efficacy and laying the groundwork for their potential use in clinical settings.
Optimization of a multi-epitope self-assembling and self-adjuvanting TB nanoparticle vaccine
We have developed a self-assembling and self-adjuvanting peptide-based nanovaccine that significantly improves the immunity and efficacy of BCG in a mouse model of TB when used as a booster vaccine. This peptide-based nanovaccine platform has multiple benefits, is cold-chain and adjuvant independent and offers great translational potential. In this project we aim to further develop the vaccine by increasing its immunogenicity and protective efficacy through the incorporation of additional epitopes and host binding peptides. This study could improve future front-line management of TB in Far North Queensland and beyond, with the ultimate goal to benefit human health globally.
Long-acting antimalarials for malaria chemovaccination NHMRC Ideas Grant - GNT2036883
Associate Investigator
Hookworm peptide therapeutic for oral treatment of IBD (Old ID 26317)
We intend to develop an orally delivered peptide that can modulate the immune system and be developed as a therapeutic for inflammatory bowel disease. We have identified a peptide, derived from a hookworm protein, that alleviates the clinical symptoms of experimental colitis when orally administered to mice. The peptide has bioactivity with human cells ex vivo and displays desirable drug-like properties. The aim of this project is to acquire further data on the mechanism of action and formulation conditions to facilitate formal product development prior to licensing and clinical trials.
A rationally designed vaccine for tuberculosis (Old ID 26852)
Tuberculosis kills more people than any other infectious disease, and approximately one third of the world's population is latently infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Reactivation of latent tuberculosis is associated with immunosuppressive conditions, most notably AIDS and type 2 diabetes. This project aims to investigate correlates of protection against tuberculosis in these immunosuppressive conditions by using innovative mouse models and human samples and to develop a new TB vaccine.
Supporting Participatory Evidence generation to Control Transmissible diseases in our Region Using Modelling (SPECTRUM) (Old ID 26936)
SPECTRUM is a centre for research excellence in decision science and includes chief investigators from the University of Melbourne, Australian National University and University of Adelaide. It focusses on data synthesis for policy decision making, particularly in relation to pandemic planning, emerging infectious diseases and other infectious dieases threats.
Novel therapeutics for diabetes sourced from Northern Australian biota. (Old ID 27321)
The aim of this project is to develop lead diabetes drug candidates from hookworm saliva and build a package for multinational commercial investment. The project aims to deliver the following outcomes: 1. Screen a synthetic hookworm library (consisting of hundreds of hookworm proteins) for anti-inflammatory activity and express lead candidates using pharmaceutical industry standard techniques. 2. Assess efficacy of leads in mouse models of diet-induced T2D. 3. Understand the mechanism of lead drug action and prioritize candidates for progression into clinical development. 4. Set the scene for a burgeoning biotech industry in Northern Australia that is differentiated from those in the south, and indeed globally, by capitalizing on the unique biodiversity of the region and the therapeutic opportunities it presents.
Advancing Immune Discovery in Northern Australia with Spectral Flow Cytometry
JCU respectfully seeks support from the Ian Potter Foundation to purchase the Cytek Aurora Spectral Flow Cytometer. This instrument is used for identifying, and conducting detailed analyses of single cells. The Cytek Aurora will replace JCU’s current, outdated flow cytometry instrument in Cairns: the FACSCanto II 3-laser eight-colour Flow Cytometer. This equipment is 15 years old and no longer meets JCU’s needs.
Spontaneous fermentation of traditional sago starch in Papua New Guinea
- 2009
- Academic Press
- Researchers:Andreas KupzJeffrey Warner
Role for MyD88, TLR2 and TLR9 but not TLR1, TLR4 or TLR6 in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
- 2011
- American Association of Immunologists
- Researchers:Socorro Miranda-Hernandez
Immature murine NKT cells pass through a stage of developmentally programmed innate IL-4 secretion
- 2012
- Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
- Researchers:Socorro Miranda-Hernandez
Title:
English
Start Date:
01 Jan 2017
End Date:
01 Jan 2021
Start Date:
01 Jan 2008
End Date:
01 Jan 2014
Start Date:
19 Feb 2024
Start Date:
01 Jan 2025
Title:
PhD, James Cook University