July 31, 2024

UOW researcher among team shortlisted for Eureka Prize

StrepA project focuses on tracking spread of and developing vaccine for global disease

University of Wollongong (UOW) researcher Professor Martina Sanderson-Smith is among a national team of scientists shortlisted for this year’s Australian Museum Eureka Prize for their ongoing work into the clinical impact of StrepA infections in children.

The shortlist for the prestigious awards was announced overnight (Wednesday 31 July) with the interdisciplinary StrepA Outbreak Prevention Team one of only three projects nominated for the Eureka Prize for Infectious Diseases Research for their project, Protecting Young Hearts.  

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, Dr Tania Rivera Hernandez, and Miguel Aguirre, also from IMB, alongside 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. 

Their work 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, septicemia, necrotizing 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.

While StrepA can be treated with antibiotics – indeed, StrepA sore throat is one of the principal drivers for antibiotic prescriptions in children – it can lead to antibiotic resistance in StrepA and many other bacterial pathogens.

Strep A ranks among the leading causes of infectious disease related deaths worldwide, with more than 500,000 deaths per year. It is responsible for scarlet fever, a disease that was almost eradicated in the 1940’s but has reemerged globally (including in Australia) , along with an increase in invasive StrepA infection.

Professor Sanderson-Smith, Director of Molecular Horizons Research Institute, said the researchers were thrilled to have their work recognised by the Eureka Prize nomination as it will help raise awareness  of  the threat posed by StrepA disease.

“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.

“The impact on children, and other vulnerable members of society is of particular concern. Rheumatic heart disease, which is triggered by StrepA infections, is a lifelong illness that no person should ever have to experience.

“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 have a positive impact on communities in around the world.”

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 Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research and Sustainable Futures) Professor David Currow said the University is honoured by the nomination, which recognises the immense contribution made by Professor Sanderson-Smith to the vital field of infectious diseases.

“The Eureka Prize stands as the ultimate scientific acknowledgment in Australia, and we, as a university community, join together in congratulating Professors Sanderson-Smith and the multi-institution team. StrepA causes untold health issues and heartache for people around the world, and the whole University community is proud of the team’s impact being acknowledged in these prestigious prizes.”

Professor Sanderson-Smith will join the team from IMB at The University of Queensland and the University of Melbourne at the Eureka Prize award ceremony in September in Sydney, where the winners will be announced.