Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis - fungal determinants of invasion of the CNS [ 2013 - 2016 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Tania Sorrell (Principal investigator) ,  A/Pr Julianne Djordjevic ,  Dr Valery Combes

Brief description Meningitis and brain infection (meningoencephalitis) due to the fungus Cryptococcus, affect over 1 million patients with AIDS annually, especially in developing countries; with more than 600,000 deaths. It is not known how Cryptococci cross from the blood stream into the brain; this must be elucidated in order to prevent and/or control this devastating infection. This project will determine how cryptococci influence host blood cells to act as “Trojan horses” and/or release products that initiate invasion of brain tissue and meningitis.

Funding Amount $AUD 587,634.77

Funding Scheme Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant