Understanding Mitochondrial DNA Segregation And Transmission.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$512,449.00
Summary
We inherit our mitochondrial DNA from our mothers. Mutations to mitochondrial DNA can give rise to severely debilitating diseases that can be passed from one generation to the next. The aims of this application are to understand how mutant mitochondrial DNA is selected for; when it affects energy production during development; and to ensure that certain reproductive strategies do not result in the adverse transmission of mitochondrial DNA that will affect subsequent generations.
Optimising Non-invasive Ventilation At Birth For Preterm Infants
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$735,912.00
Summary
Infants born very premature require respiratory support at birth to make the transition to newborn life. As these infants are very immature and prone to injury, modern respiratory care strategies utilise the least invasive approaches mainly applied using a facemask. However, we have discovered that the larynx is closed at birth and thereby prevents air from entering the lung. This application is focussed on optimising the efficiency of facemask ventilation at birth and stimulating breathing.
Mitochondrial Damage Following Fetal Hypoxia Or Birth Asphyxia: Using Creatine To Preserve Mitochondrial Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$838,726.00
Summary
There is a need for a therapy that can be given before a mother gives birth to protect the baby should ‘oxygen starvation’ threaten the baby’s brain and other organs such as the heart, kidney, lungs, and the ability to breathe properly. We are suggesting that an increased intake of creatine is a very effective treatment against this threat, and its proven safety and ease of use recommends it for wide application, particularly in countries where the access to medical resources is poor.
Defining the pathways of developmental brain injury, for a healthy start to life. Injury to the developing brain, whether sustained during pregnancy or at birth, is the underlying cause of many cognitive and motor disabilities, including cerebral palsy. This project will identify the cellular pathways that cause developmental brain injury, arising from the three principal complications of pregnancy or birth; intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), preterm birth with/without intrauterine infectio ....Defining the pathways of developmental brain injury, for a healthy start to life. Injury to the developing brain, whether sustained during pregnancy or at birth, is the underlying cause of many cognitive and motor disabilities, including cerebral palsy. This project will identify the cellular pathways that cause developmental brain injury, arising from the three principal complications of pregnancy or birth; intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), preterm birth with/without intrauterine infection and birth asphyxia. This project will utilise this knowledge of the causal pathways leading to brain injury to implement targeted therapies to reduce injury or repair the brain. It will progress fundamental biomedical discoveries into clinical practice to decrease the incidence and severity of newborn brain injury and cerebral palsy.Read moreRead less
Wiring the gut's nervous system: formation and maturation of synapses. This project aims to determine how nerve circuits controlling intestinal functions develop; specifically how communication between specific nerve cells is established once they appear in the embryonic gut. It will fill a major hole in existing knowledge of mechanisms regulating the development of normal digestive behaviours.
New techniques to detect fetal heart abnormalities. Australia’s national fetal death rate is 6.7 per one thousand births. In Australia’s Indigenous community it surges to 12.3 deaths per one thousand births. Early diagnosis (and management) of abnormal fetu.ses with cardiac defects will go a long way in reducing these numbers. The proposed technology will help set up easy-to-use systems for fetal cardiac abnormality screening and reduce fetal deaths and congenital heart disease burden in adult l ....New techniques to detect fetal heart abnormalities. Australia’s national fetal death rate is 6.7 per one thousand births. In Australia’s Indigenous community it surges to 12.3 deaths per one thousand births. Early diagnosis (and management) of abnormal fetu.ses with cardiac defects will go a long way in reducing these numbers. The proposed technology will help set up easy-to-use systems for fetal cardiac abnormality screening and reduce fetal deaths and congenital heart disease burden in adult life. This project will also provide domain trained researchers with cutting edge international academic and industry expertise.Read moreRead less
Birth Weight, Adult Weight And Podocyte Depletion.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$796,252.00
Summary
A major role of our kidneys is to filter our blood. A key cell type in our kidney filters is an octopus-shaped cell known as the podocyte. If we are not born with enough podocytes, or if the filters grow too large after birth due for example to excessive weight gain, the podocytes cannot adequately filter the blood, and this can lead to kidney disease. We will measure podocyte endowment at birth, and assess the effects of weight gain and loss after birth on podocyte features and kidney health.
The Role Of The Mammalian Grainyhead-like Gene Family In Neural Tube Closure
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$569,541.00
Summary
Failure of the skin to close over the brain and spinal cord during human development results in the devastating congenital birth defects anencephaly and spina bifida, known collectively as the neural tube defects. These are the second most common congenital birth defects affecting 1:1000 pregnancies. Anencephaly is not compatible with life and affected babies die at birth. In contrast children with spina bifida survive, but suffer from limb paralysis, bowel and bladder dysfunction, learning diff ....Failure of the skin to close over the brain and spinal cord during human development results in the devastating congenital birth defects anencephaly and spina bifida, known collectively as the neural tube defects. These are the second most common congenital birth defects affecting 1:1000 pregnancies. Anencephaly is not compatible with life and affected babies die at birth. In contrast children with spina bifida survive, but suffer from limb paralysis, bowel and bladder dysfunction, learning difficulties and psycho-social disturbances. Our laboratories have identified a family of genes essential for the colsure of the neural tube in mammals. The aim of this proposal is to understand the mechanisms of action with a view to developing new therapeutics that mey be used preventatively in these conditions. We also hope that these studies may facilitate the development of a genetic test to screen couples at risk.Read moreRead less
Using mouse genetics to understand skin development and cell biology. During embryonic development the skin forms a protective barrier which permits life outside the womb and provides a window into the biology of cells. This project aims to use the skin to identify and characterise genes necessary for embryonic development and maintenance, the development of diseases and to explore their broader roles in other organs.
A longitudinal study exploring women's experiences following a prenatal diagnosis of fetal abnormality. In Australia four per cent of babies are born with a congenital abnormality, many of which are detected during pregnancy. Little is known about women's experiences of a diagnosis. The aim of this study is to explore women's experiences following the diagnosis of a fetal abnormality during pregnancy, in order to develop appropriate models of supportive care.