Resolving respiratory infections
- Project status: Active
Research area: Stem Cell Medicine > Lung Disease
Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) is conducting a research study that seeks to understand the cellular and molecular events that follow a respiratory infection.
We aim to find new therapeutic approaches to these infections and change the way they are treated globally.
We aim to find new therapeutic approaches to these infections and change the way they are treated globally.
We aim to find new therapeutic approaches to these infections and change the way they are treated globally.
The challenge
Respiratory infections have a profound global impact, affecting millions of individuals annually and placing a significant burden on healthcare systems worldwide.
These infections, ranging from the common cold to more severe illnesses like pneumonia, can lead to serious complications, hospitalisations, and even death, particularly among vulnerable populations such as young children, and those with preexisting respiratory conditions.
The lack of effective therapeutics, including vaccines and treatments, exacerbates the challenge of managing and controlling these infections, highlighting the urgent need for continued discovery research and drug development platforms to address this issue.
Our study focus
In this study, we are using human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to create airway and alveolar epithelial cells.
We seek to dissect how the human lung epithelium responds to infection with respiratory viruses such as:
- human rhinovirus
- respiratory syncytial virus(RSV)
- influenza
- SARS-CoV-2
- bacteria, like Streptococcus pyogenes, S. pneumoniae, and Mycobacterium abscessus.
Harnessing the power of iPSC technology, we are using single-cell CRISPR screens to find pathways that could be deployed as novel host-directed therapeutics.
Funding
Funding for this project is provided by:
Contact us
For more information, please contact us.
Dr Rhiannon Werder, Senior Research Fellow
Email:
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Dr Rhiannon Werder receives MRFF grant to transform lung disease care
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