Areas of research

Research projects currently funded at IIID

Characterisation of T-cell Responses in Drug Hypersensitivity (2011-2012)

Phillips, Prof Elizabeth
Mallal, Prof Simon
Lucas, Dr Michaela

Drug hypersensitivity reactions (DIHS) are a catastrophic form of adverse drug reaction. This study will use the drug abacavir, a cause of drug hypersensitivity to examine the way certain immune cells react and determine whether responses to viruses that are persistent in our bodies play a role these development of these reactions. This will help inform the immunological basis of DIHS as well as new treatments and potential ways of identifying drugs likely to cause these reactions in the pre-marketing phase of drug development.

The influence of HIV on T cell function and application to vaccine design (2011-2013)

Dr Mina John
Dr Niamh Keane
Dr Elizabeth McKinnon,
Prof Simon Mallal

Development of a safe, effective vaccine remains the only viable means of abating the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic in the long term. Scientists must develop a vaccine that could protect against many diverse HIV strains worldwide. This research aims to understand the ways in which HIV mutates to avoid human immune responses in order to determine how best to design a vaccine. The findings could be applied to other infectious diseases for which vaccines are also needed.

Statistical issues in the analysis of host-viral genetic associations (2011-2013)

Prof Ian James
Dr Elizabeth McKinnon

Viruses such as HIV or Hepatitis B or C may escape detection, and hence control, by the human host immune system through strategic mutations. This project aims to develop statistical methodologies which will facilitate determination of the locations of these strategic mutations and assess the relative impact of different human-host genetic characteristics. Application of the results should benefit the design of tailored vaccines and studies of drug resistance.

Evaluation of naturally occurring resistance to Direct Acting Antiviral Drugs (DAAs) in individuals with acute hepatitis C infection (2011-2012)

Dr Gail Matthews
A/Prof Silvana Gaudieri
Dr Tanya Applegate
Dr Jason Grebely
Dr Michaela Lucas

Hepatitis C therapy in the future is likely to involve the use of Directly Acting Antivirals, which offer a better chance of treatment success and shorter treatment courses. The downside to these new agents is the possible development of drug resistance. Studies suggest that drug resistant strains may already exist in some individuals prior to treatment. This study plans to use sensitive methods to examine how common drug resistant strains are in untreated individuals with acute hepatitis C.