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dc.contributor.advisorJennings, Michael
dc.contributor.authorNg, Seang Khi Preston
dc.date.accessioned2018-01-23T02:18:29Z
dc.date.available2018-01-23T02:18:29Z
dc.date.issued2014
dc.identifier.doi10.25904/1912/1633
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10072/365445
dc.description.abstractGlycans are carbohydrate structures coating the cell surface of virtually all nucleated cells of vertebrates. A crucial function of glycans is in cell interaction and recognition, which is constantly exploited by bacteria and viral pathogens as targets for toxins, and as a receptor to aid recognition of and adhesion to host cells. Sialic acids, a 9-carbon compound commonly added as a terminal sugar on glycoconjugates is crucial to both bacteria and viruses causing a successful infection. Bacterial pathogens utilize sialic acids as a component of LOS and capsule, both key virulence factors. The decoration of the bacterial cell surface with sialic acid glycoconjugates has two roles; first, to mimic host glycans to evade the host immune system, second, in reducing the efficiency of complement mediated lysis and opsonophagocytosis. Several key bacterial pathogens including Haemophilus influenzae and Pneumococcus also utilize sialic acids as a carbon source. In viruses, host sialic acids glycoconjugates act as a receptor for viral recognition and adherence to host cells. In the case of influenza A virus, a viral neuraminidase is required to cleave and release newly formed viral particles from infected host cell. This thesis investigates the role of sialic acid glycoconjugates in pathogenesis to increase the understanding of sialic acid biology in human host adapted pathogens. The role sialic acids play in pathogenicity is investigated in the major human pathogens; non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) and Neisseria meningitidis and in human influenza A viral strains.
dc.languageEnglish
dc.publisherGriffith University
dc.publisher.placeBrisbane
dc.rights.copyrightThe author owns the copyright in this thesis, unless stated otherwise.
dc.subject.keywordsGlycans
dc.subject.keywordsSialic acids
dc.subject.keywordsHaemophilus influenzae
dc.subject.keywordsPneumococcus
dc.subject.keywordsNon-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi)
dc.subject.keywordsNeisseria meningitidis
dc.subject.keywordsHuman influenza A
dc.titleThe Role of Distinct Host Glycans in the Evolution of Host Adapted Pathogens
dc.typeGriffith thesis
gro.facultyScience, Environment, Engineering and Technology
gro.rights.copyrightThe author owns the copyright in this thesis, unless stated otherwise.
gro.hasfulltextFull Text
dc.contributor.otheradvisorPeak, Ian
dc.rights.accessRightsPublic
gro.identifier.gurtIDgu1428889673333
gro.source.ADTshelfnoADT0
gro.source.GURTshelfnoGURT
gro.thesis.degreelevelThesis (PhD Doctorate)
gro.thesis.degreeprogramDoctor of Philosophy (PhD)
gro.departmentInstitute for Glycomics
gro.griffith.authorNg, Preston SK.


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