September 5, 2024

Research into global fight against StrepA awarded Eureka Prize

Professor Martina Sanderson-Smith among interdisciplinary team recognised for groundbreaking project

University of Wollongong (UOW) molecular microbiologist Professor Martina Sanderson-Smith is among a team of extraordinary scientists who won an Australian Museum Eureka Prize for their research into the clinical impact of StrepA infections in children.

The interdisciplinary StrepA Outbreak Prevention Team received the Eureka Prize for Infectious Diseases Research for their project, Protecting Young Hearts, during the awards ceremony in Sydney last night (Wednesday 4 September).

Professor Sanderson-Smith said the team were thrilled that their groundbreaking global research was recognised in Australia’s most prestigious science awards.

“StrepA can be devastating for children and vulnerable members of society. Our team is at the forefront of the global effort to characterise and contain StrepA outbreaks and to develop treatments for StrepA infection. It is a public health concern that has not yet been met, with hundreds of thousands of deaths each year linked to StrepA and its associated impacts.

“We are delighted that the Eureka Prizes have recognised this important research and the amazing team of researchers.

“A vaccine is a vital step in eradicating StrepA. The development of a vaccine will not only keep our children safe in Australia but will benefit communities around the world.”

The team is led by Professor Mark Walker from the Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) at The University of Queensland, with his colleagues Dr Amanda Walker, Dr Stephan Brouwer, and Miguel Aguirre, also from IMB, alongside Dr Tania Rivera Hernandez,  from CONACYT,  Dr Mark Davies from the University of Melbourne, and Professor Sanderson-Smith, from UOW’s School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience and Molecular Horizons Research Institute. 

The project focuses on tracking the spread of and developing a vaccine for Group A Streptococcus bacterium, a strictly human pathogen with a devastating global health impact. StrepA is the most common cause of bacterial sore throat and tonsillitis in children, but it can also cause serious infections, such as scarlet fever, septicaemia, necrotising fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock-like syndrome.

Repeated StrepA infections can also trigger autoimmune diseases, including acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease, a leading cause of childhood heart disease. Australian Indigenous populations are disproportionally afflicted by StrepA-induced rheumatic heart disease.

The Eureka Prizes are presented annually by the Australian Museum. The prizes recognise and celebrate outstanding achievement in scientific research, innovation, and communication in Australia.

UOW Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research and Sustainable Futures) Senior Professor Eileen McLaughlin praised the Protecting Young Hearts team and their life-changing research.

“Congratulations to the outstanding researchers for their well-earned award.

The Eureka Prize is Australia's pinnacle of scientific acclaim, and as a university community, we celebrate this remarkable achievement,” Professor McLaughlin said.

“This project will make a global difference in the fight to eradicate and develop a vaccine for StrepA. We’re thrilled to see Professor Sanderson-Smith’s and the team’s contributions to science and microbiology recognised on such a distinguished stage.”