Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is a very common blood cancer. Leukaemic tumour cells actively shut down key immune defences in patients who are very prone to severe infections. Current chemotherapies further immuno-compromise CLL patients and over a quarter will die from an infection despite having responded to cancer treatments. We propose that restoring key immune functions in CLL is key to improve resistance to infection and restore natural anti-cancer immunity.
Exploiting The Cross Talk Between Tuft Cells And Group 2 Innate Lymphoid Cells For Tissue Homeostasis And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$831,162.00
Summary
The project investigates the cellular cross talk within the gastric mucosa between tuft cells, a rare epithelial cell type, and tissue-resident group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2). The tuft cell/ILC2 axis is driven by the two cytokines interleukin (IL)-25 and IL-13 and is required for tissue homeostasis but turns pro-tumourigenic in the context of chronic inflammation. Our investigation will dissect the underlying mechanisms using a combination of mouse models, immunology and bioinformatics.
Long Term Consequences Of Perturbing Early Embryo Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$549,515.00
Summary
Assisted reproductive techniques are normally considered safe, but there are increased risks for these newborns which may be caused by these procedures. We have developed mouse models that are sensitive to these effects and have used them to show that gene expression is altered in mice that develop from cultured embryos. Now we will use these models to work out how to reduce these effects and ensure the ongoing health of babies born with assisted reproduction.
Splice Correction As A Treatment For Rare Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$824,316.00
Summary
We propose that a strategy of bringing effective and personalised treatments to amenable patients with rare genetic diseases, though ambitious, is readily achievable and opportune. Importantly, a consensus approach will facilitate expediting potentially curative treatments for many patients with rare diseases that would be unlikely to be commercially viable if considered individually.
Metabolic And Molecular Basis Of Embryo Signalling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$409,836.00
Summary
Cells in the body are powered by mitochondria that essentially generate the energy required for development. This grant will determine how the environment affects the mitochondria in the developing embryo and determine the impacts to the embryo and pregnancy if a mitochondria is partially shut down.
Artificial Synthesis Of The Type III Secretion System Translocon. A New Approach To Vaccine Design
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$668,742.00
Summary
Today hospitals are plagued with bacterial infections that do not respond to antibiotics. The problem exists because although antibiotics are effective at killing bacteria, this paradoxically also helps the drug-resistant bacteria thrive. We will pioneer a completely new approach to vaccine design that allows us to construct a vaccine that protects us from bacterial infection without killing the bacteria. The vaccine should therefore be far less susceptible to drug resistance.
Three percent of children born in Australia are from IVF. It is typical in IVF to replace 2 or more embryos in order to attain an acceptable pregnancy rate. However, twin pregnancies are common as a result, with 25% of all twins coming from IVF. Twins represent a real medical issue for mother and infants. Therefore, this research will use new highly innovative technologies to determine the health of an individual embryo in the culture dish prior to transfer, making the selection and transfer of ....Three percent of children born in Australia are from IVF. It is typical in IVF to replace 2 or more embryos in order to attain an acceptable pregnancy rate. However, twin pregnancies are common as a result, with 25% of all twins coming from IVF. Twins represent a real medical issue for mother and infants. Therefore, this research will use new highly innovative technologies to determine the health of an individual embryo in the culture dish prior to transfer, making the selection and transfer of an individual embryo a reality.Read moreRead less
Recent Changes In IVF Clinical Practice: Data Linkage To Investigate Their Impact On Fetal Growth And Birth Defects.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$219,076.00
Summary
In Australia 1 in 25 births are conceived from IVF treatment and this is increasing with the continuing trend towards later childbearing. This study will use linked population data to assess fetal growth and birth defects in IVF-conceived children following major changes to IVF practice in the last decade. There are limited data internationally on health outcomes following the use of more recent IVF techniques and insufficient data to allow for adequate pre-treatment counselling.
Medically Assisted Fertility Treatment And Infant Outcomes: The Role Of IVF (in Vitro Fertilisation), Ovulation Induction And Subfertility
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$463,001.00
Summary
Medically assisted fertility treatment such as IVF and fertility medications account for the birth of at least one in 25 children born in Australia. While the health outcomes of these children are reassuring there is a lack of conclusive findings on the clinical role of IVF and non-IVF treatments and on their safety, particularly the newer forms of IVF. This research will fill this evidence gap, informing patients and clinicians on the safety and effectiveness of fertility treatments.
Characterisation Of Anti-HBs Responses In Patients Undergoing Functional Hepatitis B Cure: Implication For Future Therapies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$723,649.00
Summary
The hepatitis B virus causes liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. There is no cure for hepatitis B. However, a small number of patients can naturally rid themselves of the virus. We have identified 14 of these individuals and discovered that they have a unique immune response that is responsible for these “natural” cures. We plan to characterise this immune response and turn it into a therapeutic vaccine which can be used to cure patients who are still chronically infected.