Understanding And Preventing Inflammatory Pathology Of The Gut
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$727,758.00
Summary
My research focuses on how inflammation caused by bacteria or organ malfunction can lead to severe disease like cancer in the gastrointestinal tract. Our aim is to better understand diseases like gastric cancer and inflammatory bowel disease, and to develop new ways to detect them and prevent them progressing.
Changing Therapeutic Paradigms For Intestinal Health: Diet As A Therapeutic Strategy In Gastroenterology.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$640,210.00
Summary
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects 1 in 7 adults in Australia. IBS symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating and wind. My team has shown that fermentable short chain carbohydrates (FODMAPs) present in many foods are responsible for triggering these symptoms. The Low FODMAP diet is now being adopted worldwide as first-line management therapy for IBS. The delivery of this research worldwide has been possible through the use of a smartphone app: The Monash Uni Low FODMAP diet.
Translating Gene Discovery For Key Diseases Into Clinical Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$772,490.00
Summary
The goal of the fellowship is capitalize on successful gene mapping studies for endometriosis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), melanoma and other complex diseases and conduct functional studies, cross-disease analyses, and genetic studies of response to treatment. These studies will identify specific genes responsible for increased disease risk to understand the biology of these diseases, their relationship with other diseases, and help improve disease management and clinical outcomes.
Helminth Secretomes: From Vaccines To Novel Anti-inflammatory Biologics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$938,910.00
Summary
Billions of people in developing countries are infected with parasitic worms, but they have been eradicated from industrialised nations. Humans co-evolved with worms, so their recent removal has deprived us of signals required to keep inflammation in check. My research focuses on worm molecules that can be used to (1) develop vaccines to combat these parasitic infections in developing countries, and (2) as a novel platform of anti-inflammatory therapeutics for use in industrialised nations.
Biomarkers For The Diagnosis And Prognostic Analysis Of Male Infertility
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,370.00
Summary
Male infertility is a common condition, affecting 1 in 15 men. Although a standard semen analysis is often performed to test whether a man is infertile, it is far from definitive. We have developed a new approach, by looking at proteins that are commonly missing from infertile sperm cells. From this analysis, we can definitively diagnose male infertility and are beginning to understand why men are becoming infertile.
Prof McGuckin is studying common chronic diseases (gut and respiratory inflammatory diseases, arthritis, and obesity and diabetes) that are major contributors to poor health in the Australian community and are major contributors to healthcare expenditure. His research includes basic studies elucidating the biological basis of these diseases and then uses this new knowledge to develop new therapeutic approaches to treatment. The new therapeutic approaches will be tested in model systems as a prel ....Prof McGuckin is studying common chronic diseases (gut and respiratory inflammatory diseases, arthritis, and obesity and diabetes) that are major contributors to poor health in the Australian community and are major contributors to healthcare expenditure. His research includes basic studies elucidating the biological basis of these diseases and then uses this new knowledge to develop new therapeutic approaches to treatment. The new therapeutic approaches will be tested in model systems as a prelude to clinical trials.Read moreRead less
I am a reproductive biologist focused on women’s reproductive health. I am studying the reasons why some women are infertile have spontaneous abortions and pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia. My research will define the roles of molecules that are critical in the establishment of pregnancy and the formation of a health placenta and therefore a healthy baby.
Platelets are key blood elements that are essential for the prevention of bleeding in response to injury or infection. Overactive or spontaneously active platelets cause thrombosis and blood clot formation. My laboratory has identified new physiological pathways of activation of platelet metalloproteinases, the enzymes that regulate surface levels of the prothrombotic platelet receptors. By understanding this mechanism of receptor regulation, we can uniquely target platelet receptors in people w ....Platelets are key blood elements that are essential for the prevention of bleeding in response to injury or infection. Overactive or spontaneously active platelets cause thrombosis and blood clot formation. My laboratory has identified new physiological pathways of activation of platelet metalloproteinases, the enzymes that regulate surface levels of the prothrombotic platelet receptors. By understanding this mechanism of receptor regulation, we can uniquely target platelet receptors in people with prothrombotic pathologies.Read moreRead less
An inability to control human fertility is an issue of global significance. Frequently both unwanted pregnancies and infertility result from the same origin, a lack of understanding of how germ cells are produced. Within this fellowship I will define key processes involved in the manifestation of male fertility. Further I will extend these insights into both the fertility clinic but also into human health more broadly.
The genetic material is packaged in the cell nucleus with histone proteins. Modifications of histones determine if a particular area of the genome is active or repressed. We are investigating the roles of a family of histone modifying proteins, the MYST proteins. Mutations in these proteins cause intellectual disability and cancer. The research program will provide knowledge that may become the basis for the development of drugs for the treatment of cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.