Retroviral Biology and Antivirals
We identify and develop effective antimicrobial strategies for the prevention and control of pathogens including HIV.
Group Heads
About
We define the role of the genital microbiota and their metabolites in sexual and reproductive health outcomes. We discover and develop novel antivirals, and we identify and characterise mammalian retroviruses and antiviral proteins.
Our main objectives are to:
- elucidate the role of the vaginal microbiome in adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes
- develop a new drug class for HIV treatment and prevention
- undertake studies on emerging viruses circulating in bats and bat antiviral factors.
Our work has discovered vaginal microbiota metabolites that:
- potentially prevent sexually transmissible incomes as well as adverse birth outcomes
- are potent in killing HIV.
Our other discoveries include:
- a novel retrovirus in fruit bats, closely related to koala retrovirus
- diverse major intrinsic antiviral genes encoded in bats
- small chemical building blocks (fragments) with mechanism of action distinct to HIV reverse transcriptase inhibitors used in the clinic.
We've also demonstrated:
- retention of HIV-1 and HSV-2 inhibitory activity of a molecule through a clinical trial in healthy women
- blocked viral particle production through potent members of a class of HIV-1 drugs.
Current projects
View 4 moreEVE-M®: enhancing the vaginal environment and microbiome
The vaginal microbiome is a key determinant of a women’s sexual and reproductive health. There is an unmet need for effective non-antibiotic-based strategies to target bacterial vaginosis and its adverse sequelae.
Discovery of a new drug class for HIV treatment and prevention
Drug resistance, toxicity and intolerance could exhaust antiretroviral drug options for HIV treatment and prevention, with few new drug classes in the pipeline.
A novel gel for targeting vaginal inflammation to prevent HIV transmission
We have discovered that optimal vaginal Lactobacillus spp. make a product that has direct anti-inflammatory effects on cervicovaginal epithelial cells that could help prevent HIV.
Featured publications
Lactic acid produced by optimal vaginal Lactobacillus species potently inactivates HIV-1 by several mechanisms including promoting inhibition of virion-associated reverse transcriptase activity and viral RNA degradation
Research Square (Research Square)
Muriel Aldunate et al
GALV-KoRV-related retroviruses in diverse Australian and African rodent species
Virus Evolution
Joshua A. Hayward, Shuoshuo Tian, Gilda Tachedjian
Lactic acid from vaginal microbiota enhances cervicovaginal epithelial barrier integrity by promoting tight junction protein expression
Microbiome
David Jose Delgado-Diaz et al
Targeting HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase Using a Fragment-Based Approach
Molecules
Mahta Mansouri et al
The Impact of Over-The-Counter Lactic Acid Containing Vaginal Gels on the Integrity and Inflammatory State of the Vaginal Epithelium in vitro
Frontiers in Reproductive Health
David Tyssen et al
Infectious KoRV-related retroviruses circulating in Australian bats
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Joshua A. Hayward et al
Distinct Immune Responses Elicited From Cervicovaginal Epithelial Cells by Lactic Acid and Short Chain Fatty Acids Associated With Optimal and Non-optimal Vaginal Microbiota
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
David Jose Delgado-Diaz et al
Anti-HIV-1 Activity of Lactic Acid in Human Cervicovaginal Fluid
mSphere
David Tyssen et al
Vaginal lactic acid elicits an anti-inflammatory response from human cervicovaginal epithelial cells and inhibits production of pro-inflammatory mediators associated with HIV acquisition
Mucosal Immunology
Anna C. Hearps et al
Group contacts
Professor Gilda Tachedjian
Head, Life Sciences Discipline; Head, Retroviral Biology and Antivirals Laboratory
Group members
Brianna Jesaveluk
Research Officer
Calllum Diamond-Smith
Honours Student
Dr Celine Deffrasnes
Senior Research Officer
Professor Gilda Tachedjian
Head, Life Sciences Discipline; Head, Retroviral Biology and Antivirals Laboratory
Dr Joshua Hayward
Senior Research Officer
Dr Paula Ellenberg
Laboratory Manager
