Infectious diseases

The world's silent killer of children

Infectious diseases are the leading cause of death in children worldwide under the age of five. It is estimated that 11 million children worldwide die each year, and almost every child in the world will suffer at least one infectious disease by the time they are three years old. Diarrhoeal diseases combined, are the second largest killer of children globally. Rotavirus infection is the leading cause of severe diarrhoeal disease and dehydration of children in both developed and developing countries. Rotavirus infection is estimated to be responsible for 33% of all hospitalisations, including 10,000 per annum in Australia, due to rotavirus induced diarrhoea. Although mortality is rare within Australia, approximately 600,000 children under the age of five die from rotavirus-induced diarrhoea globally. The high morbidity and mortality associated with rotavirus, as well as the economic burden on society demonstrate an urgent need for the development of new methods for the treatment of this disease.

Carbohydrates - the answer

Although there are several rotavirus vaccine treatments in clinical trials, the current uncertainty over the safety and efficacy of rotavirus vaccines suggests that there is an urgent need for an alternative approach towards the development of a cure for rotavirus.

• Groundbreaking research conducted by the Institute for Glycomics has shown that targeting proteins associated with carbohydrate recognition is a viable approach towards the development of new drugs to cure rotavirus-induced diarrhoea.
• The initial interaction between the virus and the host cells is a critical phase in viral infection
• Targeting proteins associated with carbohydrate recognition during the initial interaction will prevent the infection from occurring.
• Further research is required to develop a range of biological probes that will lead to a significant advance in the understanding of the rotavirus pathogenicity and provide significant direction towards the discovery of a novel designer anti-rotaviral drug.

The Griffith Advantage

Griffith University is an innovative university committed to multidisciplinary teaching and research, individual rights, ethical standards and social justice. It has five campuses in three cities, across the Brisbane - Gold Coast corridor. With more then 33,000 students and 3,500 staff, it is one of Queensland's largest universities.

Established in 2001 at the Gold Coast Campus of Griffith University, research at the Institute for Glycomics involves the study of the glycans and glycan-binding proteins in various biological systems, and the design of novel drugs and vaccines. This approach presents an exciting therapeutic platform for the control of a wide-range of medical conditions such as cancer, diabetes, infectious diseases, inflammation and immune disorders.

The Institute is the only one of its kind in Australia and only one of six in the world. We seek to collaborate with leading scientists around the world to build a critical mass around carbohydrate-based research. Global collaboration together with a mutil-disciplinary approach to research, are essential to achieving our vision to bring forward novel medicines and vaccines to the community.

The Institute for Glycomics operates a program of viral glycomic research that is unrivalled in Australia. Given that over 600,000 children die worldwide each year from rotavirus-induced diarrhoea, the Institute for Glycomics is at the forefront of discovering and developing new therapeutics for clinically important diseases.

From vision to cure

The Institute for Glycomics has a state-of-the-art therapeutic discovery technology platform which delivers local, national and global benefits through it's groundbreaking research to combat childhood diseases of the twenty-first century. Through its research on rotavirus infection, the Institute for Glycomics will continue the fight against the world second largest killer of children under the age of five. Financial support is sought to bring this shared vision to reality.

Every gift makes a difference

If you would like to support research into infectious diseass, please make a donation online or or contact Regina Tucker, Development and Alumni Coordinator.

For more information on how you can support this initiative, please contact:

Regina Tucker
Development and Alumni Coordinator (SEET)

From within Australia
Telephone: (07) 5552 7263

From outside Australia
Telephone: +61 7 5552 7263

Email: r.tucker@griffith.edu.au