Building An Immunocompetent Alzheimer’s Disease Brain-on-a-chip
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$458,937.00
Summary
New human cell culture models of Alzheimer's disease are urgently needed to help translate drugs into successful patient outcomes. In this proposal we will develop an Alzheimer's disease brain-on-a-chip that contains the major human brain cell types and neuropathological features of the Alzheimer's. We will demonstrate the applicability of the model for identifying new Alzheimer's disease drugs and diagnostics and show that the model can be readily adopted by Australian Alzheimer's researchers.
Emotionally traumatic experiences are well remembered and, in some instances, frequent reminders of these events can lead to the development of fear-related anxiety disorders such as phobia or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The experiments outlined in this proposal will examine how a novel epigenetic mechanism of gene regulation contributes to the transition from the retrieval of a fear memory to its inhibition through a process called extinction.
Ubiquitin And SUMO DNA Damage Response Signalling At Deprotected Telomeres During The Cell Cycle
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$302,627.00
Summary
Following genome damage cells stop the cell division process and initiate DNA repair. We discovered that at specific times during cell division his does not happen if the damage signals originate from the chromosome ends (i.e. “telomeres”). We anticipate this is necessary to prevent genomic instability in healthy cells and may be driving genomic instability in cancer cells. Experiments described here will elucidate the molecular mechanisms and biological significance of our observation.
The Role Of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 In Limiting Complications Of Aortic Aneurysm.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$684,989.00
Summary
Artery weakening or aneurysm is an important cause of mortality in older adults. Currently there are only surgical therapies for artery weakening. In this project the role of a protein which may inhibit artery weakening is investigated. In this project we assess if targeting this protein could limit artery weakening using pre-clinical models.
Validating A Potential Therapeutic For Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$614,254.00
Summary
ALS is a form of motor neuron disease that quickly renders people paralysed by killing off the nerves needed for muscle control. It affects people when they are 40-60 years old, and very few survive more than 5 years after diagnosis. Our team is testing a new therapeutic compound that we have already shown to delay paralysis in mice with ALS. The work we are currently undertaking will provide all the necessary information required before we are able to test our compound in people with ALS.
Understanding The Connections Between Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Culture, Health And Wellbeing To Support Action To Improve Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,915,802.00
Summary
Little is known about the inter-relationship of cultural factors and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health outcomes and these relationships have not been quantified. Through a large cohort study, this research will produce data that combines standard health measures with newly developed quantitative measures of cultural factors, supported by data linkage infrastructure. Robust analytical methods will be used to inform policy and program development.
Improving Communication Outcomes For Migrant Cancer Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$609,493.00
Summary
INFORM is a research project designed to improve services available for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) cancer patients. To achieve this, we are developing a communication aid intervention, which involves audio-recording key patient hospital consultations and Question Prompt List (QPL). The purpose of this communication aid package will be to improve patient health information knowledge, and communication with their healthcare team.
A Mechanotransduction Apparatus To Coordinate Epithelial Collective Cell Migration.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$994,596.00
Summary
Epithelial cells migrate as physically coherent collective groups, which is necessary for normal development and is disrupted as cancers progress to become invasive and spread. Collective migration requires communication so that the behaviour of individual cells is properly coordinated. In this project we investigate how the transmission of physical force between cells allows them to communicate; and test how its disruption contributes to cancer invasion.
Understanding The Role Of The Atypical Cadherin Fat4 In Lymphatic Vascular Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,006,248.00
Summary
This application will define the role of a large cell adhesion molecule, FAT4, in lymphatic vascular development. By understanding how FAT4 functions in lymphatic vessels, we will gain insight to the mechanisms by which mutations in the gene that encodes this protein cause a human lymphoedema syndrome.
Regulation Of T Cell Effector Function In Peripheral Tissues
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$698,550.00
Summary
Protection from infections relies on different types of immune cells. While some of these cells are found in the blood, others reside in peripheral tissues such as the skin. We will analyse the function of these peripheral immune cells to understand how they work to fight off infections. We will also investigate how so-called memory cells that permanently reside in peripheral tissues can protect from re-infection with similar bacteria or viruses.