The project will focus on elucidating the mechanisms by which respiratory pathogens including influenza, parainfluenza, avian influenza (H5N1) viruses, and microbacterium tuberculosis affect ion transport in the respiratory epithelium and on the development of new treatments for cystic fibrosis including the use of pharmacological agents and stem cell treatment.
Camperdown - School of Medical Sciences - Bosch Institute
Masters/PHD
The ion transport mechanisms in the lungs regulate the thickness of the layer of alveolar fluid bathing the lung surface. This fluid layer is important for mucociliary clearance, a mechanism that removes harmful airborne particles and microorganisms from the lung. Several respiratory pathogens are known to affect lung ion and fluid transport. Influenza A virus activates a cellular signaling pathway that inhibits sodium and water absorption in the lung and induces pulmonary oedema. A more severe effect is observed following H5N1 infection. How H5N1 does this is, however, unknown. In addition, ion transport disturbance is attributable to lung infection in cystic fibrosis lung disease where lung chloride secretion is decreased and Na+ and water absorption is increased. One way to treat this condition is to introduce new healthy cells to the lung or to correct ion transport activity in the lung using pharmacological agents. The aims of this project are:
The opportunity ID for this research opportunity is 171