Therapeutic Potential Of Hookworm Secreted Molecules For The Treatment Of Human Autoimmune Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$93,597.00
Summary
In developed countries, the increased incidence of allergic and autoimmune diseases has been related to the decreased prevalence of parasitic infections. The present research will explore the role that parasite molecules play in mechanisms that regulate the immune response of their vertebrate hosts and test their potential to become novel therapeutics for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
I am a molecular biologist interested in understanding how cells are able to actively kill themselves, and how cells make the decision to live or die. Understanding how cells kill themselves will ultimately lead to better therapies designed to kill cancer
Role Of Transformation And IAPs In Sensitivity Of Cells To TNFalpha
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$505,786.00
Summary
Current cancer treatments are ineffective and unpleasant for patients. This is because existing cancer treatments target normal as well as cancer cells. New anti-cancer drugs have been designed to encourage cancer cells to kill themselves, by a process called apoptosis, but may still target normal cells. This project aims to discover why cancer cells are susceptible to a novel anti-cancer drug and a natural ligand called TNF but normal cells are not. This will lead to better treatments.
Sjogren's Syndrome As A Disorder Of Anti-receptor Autoimmunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$211,527.00
Summary
A new approach to understanding Sjogren's syndrome Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is a frequent cause of illness predominantly in women, leading to frequent attendances to medical, dental and allied health practitioners. Historically considered a rarity, SS, in both its primary and secondary forms, is arguably the commonest manifestation of human systemic autoimmunity. Increasingly recognised by clinicians as the unifying diagnosis underlying a plethora of chronic disabling symptoms in women from the f ....A new approach to understanding Sjogren's syndrome Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is a frequent cause of illness predominantly in women, leading to frequent attendances to medical, dental and allied health practitioners. Historically considered a rarity, SS, in both its primary and secondary forms, is arguably the commonest manifestation of human systemic autoimmunity. Increasingly recognised by clinicians as the unifying diagnosis underlying a plethora of chronic disabling symptoms in women from the fourth decade and beyond, therapeutic options remain limited due to our primitive understanding of its cause. Emerging evidence suggests that rather than a consequence of physical destruction of salivary and tear glands by cells of the immune system, severe dryness of the mouth and eyes in SS might be caused by antibodies which block the transmission of signals from tiny nerves to receptors in these glands. We also have evidence that other symptoms experienced by patients with SS, including abnormal sweating, irritable bladder and bowel, and Raynaud's phenomenon, may also be the consequence of blockage of nerve supply. Furthermore, we have detected these blocking antibodies in patients with both primary SS and rheumatoid arthritis accompanied by secondary SS, pointing for the first time to a common underlying cause for SS in these two settings. We propose a new approach to understanding Sjogren's syndrome, as a disease of anti-receptor autoimmunity, akin to Graves disease of the thyroid gland. This opens up exciting possibilities for the development of new techniques for the diagnosis and treatment of SS.Read moreRead less
Apo2L/TRAIL Killing Of Tumour Cells And The Role Of Inhibitor Of Apoptosis Proteins
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$390,321.00
Summary
Melanomas and Gliomas are tumour types that respond poorly to current treatments. Current treatments are not only sometimes ineffective, but also unpleasant and may cause co-lateral damage. We will test 2 new targetted anti-cancer treatments, that so far appear to have minor side effects in small animal models, on these difficult to treat tumour types to see if and how they kill them. We also want to know whether these independent treatments can work together to kill tumours more effectively. Al ....Melanomas and Gliomas are tumour types that respond poorly to current treatments. Current treatments are not only sometimes ineffective, but also unpleasant and may cause co-lateral damage. We will test 2 new targetted anti-cancer treatments, that so far appear to have minor side effects in small animal models, on these difficult to treat tumour types to see if and how they kill them. We also want to know whether these independent treatments can work together to kill tumours more effectively. Although we will not personally test these drugs in clinical settings, these drugs or similar are currently in preclinical and clinical trials. This means that understanding how these drugs function is of paramount importance and may result in better clinical trials and possibly more rapid acceptance of the use of these drugs in patients.Read moreRead less
I am a cancer researcher trained in cell biology, immunology and molecular oncology. I made major contributions to the discoveries that defects in cell death can cause cancer, autoimmune disease and impair the response of cancers to chemotherapy. My current work aims to reach a detailed understanding of the molecular mechanisms of programmed cell death and to exploit this knowledge to develop novel therapeutics for cancer and autoimmune diseases that can directly activate this process.
Understanding The Development Of Autoimmunity In Response To Citrullinated Peptide Antigen Presentation To T Cells In Rheumatoid Arthritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,181,793.00
Summary
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease predominantly affecting synovial joints, in 1% of adults worldwide. HLA-class II genes underlie the major genetic susceptibility to RA. The programme of work brings together 7 investigators from 3 countries to determine how autoimmunity develops to self antigens in individuals at genetic risk of RA and why resistance alleles are protective against RA, in Caucasian, Asian and North American Native populations. We will provide a molecular