The foot soldiers of the immune system, the white blood cells, constantly march through the body seeking out invaders, but kept in check by the barrier of endothelial cells that lines the inside of blood vessels. When infection occurs, molecular messages are transmitted amongst the white cells and between white cells and edothelium, to activate the immune cells to pass out of the blood vessels and mount a defence. Unfortunatley, the activation system sometimes goes awry, resulting in inflammator ....The foot soldiers of the immune system, the white blood cells, constantly march through the body seeking out invaders, but kept in check by the barrier of endothelial cells that lines the inside of blood vessels. When infection occurs, molecular messages are transmitted amongst the white cells and between white cells and edothelium, to activate the immune cells to pass out of the blood vessels and mount a defence. Unfortunatley, the activation system sometimes goes awry, resulting in inflammatory or allergic disease, such as arthritis or asthma. This team of researchers from the Hanson Institute in Adelaide, combining expertise in molecular and cell biology, protein chemestry, structual biology and animal models, has been working together for over 10 years, investigating the molecular mechanisms involved in controlling the formation and activities of blood vessels and white blood cells. This program seeks to further that understanding, and to develop drugs that have the potential of ameliorating the inflammatory condition.Read moreRead less
This Program Grant investigates a number of important reproductive problems that affect the fertility of men, prostate cancer and the way the mother nurtures and protects the baby during pregnancy. The successful development of sperm requires the proper function of a number of biological processes. This grant investigates the way in which sperm are produced, the genes that are needed to control their development, and the way sperm propel themselves and fertilize the egg. The research also invest ....This Program Grant investigates a number of important reproductive problems that affect the fertility of men, prostate cancer and the way the mother nurtures and protects the baby during pregnancy. The successful development of sperm requires the proper function of a number of biological processes. This grant investigates the way in which sperm are produced, the genes that are needed to control their development, and the way sperm propel themselves and fertilize the egg. The research also investigates how sperm are protected during their development from infection and immunological rejection, achieved in part by a special environment within the tubes in the testis where they grow. It appears that the general mechanisms that the body uses to combat infections are modified within the testis and the way in which this occurs may provide clues that could be applied to prevent the rejection of transplanted organs in general. Some of the substances that control these processes appear to play an important role in the body�s defense against infection. The grant also investigates the processes that are involved in the development of prostate cancer. These changes can occur over many years and the grant will study some substances that appear to be involved. The work will provide new knowledge that may assist in new tests to identify whether a cancer is slow or fast growing, thereby helping each man to decide the most sensible form of treatment. The grant will investigate how a group of proteins, that also are involved in the control of processes discussed above, assist the mother in protecting her baby during pregnancy. The outcomes will assist in the management of disturbances of pregnancy that may put the fetus at risk of survival.Read moreRead less
Control Of Cell Proliferation And Differentiation In Breast And Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,043,011.00
Summary
Breast and prostate cancer are the most commonly diagnosed cancers in women and men respectively, together accounting for >25% of all newly diagnosed cancers in Australia and other developed countries. Although significant improvements in the management of these cancers have occurred in the past 20 years further research is needed to better understand the molecular mechanisms of disease development and progression. Such research is critical to the better management and ultimate control of the ....Breast and prostate cancer are the most commonly diagnosed cancers in women and men respectively, together accounting for >25% of all newly diagnosed cancers in Australia and other developed countries. Although significant improvements in the management of these cancers have occurred in the past 20 years further research is needed to better understand the molecular mechanisms of disease development and progression. Such research is critical to the better management and ultimate control of these diseases through better treatments and prevention. A multidisciplinary team of cancer researchers at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, with a 10 year track record of discovery and application of their research into breast and prostate cancer, will employ state-of-the-art research tools to identify new molecules and molecular pathways involved in these diseases. This new information will facilitate the improved management of these cancers through improved assessment of disease progression at the time of diagnosis and the development of new drugs and strategies for treatment and prevention.Read moreRead less
Insult, Injury And Recovery In Brain Disease: From Molecules To Therapeutic Outcome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$8,215,611.00
Summary
When nerve cells are damaged, destroyed or injured, through disease or trauma, common pathological processes are set in train. Even though there are many factors that might trigger disease, these inevitably lead to common processes that end in cell death or initiate protective processes. One theme involves the factors that surround these responses to nerve injury and stress, and the consequent protective and regenerative responses that ensue. Another theme, closely integrates with the first, is ....When nerve cells are damaged, destroyed or injured, through disease or trauma, common pathological processes are set in train. Even though there are many factors that might trigger disease, these inevitably lead to common processes that end in cell death or initiate protective processes. One theme involves the factors that surround these responses to nerve injury and stress, and the consequent protective and regenerative responses that ensue. Another theme, closely integrates with the first, is to exploit basic biological mechanisms with the aim of identifying and developing therapeutic targets for the management of a wider range of neurological conditions.Read moreRead less
MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR PATHOGENESIS OF HUMAN LIVER DISEASE
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,928,323.00
Summary
n humans, chronic liver diseases cause cirrhosis of the liver in some but not all individuals. This leads to protracted ill-health, complications (fluid retention in the abdomen, confusion, bloodstream infections, kidney failure, liver cancer) resulting in hospitalisation, liver transplantation and premature death. In Australia, cirrhosis is an important cause of death and of years of potential life lost, while liver cancer has recently doubled and is predicted to treble by 2020. The common caus ....n humans, chronic liver diseases cause cirrhosis of the liver in some but not all individuals. This leads to protracted ill-health, complications (fluid retention in the abdomen, confusion, bloodstream infections, kidney failure, liver cancer) resulting in hospitalisation, liver transplantation and premature death. In Australia, cirrhosis is an important cause of death and of years of potential life lost, while liver cancer has recently doubled and is predicted to treble by 2020. The common causes are hepatitis C, fatty liver disorders, alcohol and hepatitis B; when 2 of these are present together, there is a higher risk of cirrhosis. This program aims to unravel the pathological processes which cause cirrhosis at the molecular and cellular levels, in order to understand why some people are at higher risk. These processes could result from genetic predisposition, other constitutional factors (age, gender) or from lifestyle factors (overnutrition, inactivity, alcohol). The 3 chief investigators from Westmead s Millennium Institute and the Centenary Institute of Royal Prince Alfred Hospital are international experts in hepatitis C, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and other fatty liver disorders, autoimmune hepatitis, liver transplantation, and scarring processes that lead to cirrhosis of the liver. The new knowledge that will result from these studies will be used to help prevent people developing severe forms of chronic liver disease, and for treating cirrhosis if it has already occurred.Read moreRead less
Regulation Of Bone Resorption And Formation In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,596,183.00
Summary
Bone is continually being formed and broken down, and these two processes are critical forthe maintenance of a normal skeleton. These processes are dependent upon communication between the bone building and degrading cells, and the hormones growth factors and cytokines that are present in the circulation or produced in bone. The tightly regulated processes of bone formation and degradation need to remain equal, and are essential for the achievement and maintenance of skeletal strength and form. ....Bone is continually being formed and broken down, and these two processes are critical forthe maintenance of a normal skeleton. These processes are dependent upon communication between the bone building and degrading cells, and the hormones growth factors and cytokines that are present in the circulation or produced in bone. The tightly regulated processes of bone formation and degradation need to remain equal, and are essential for the achievement and maintenance of skeletal strength and form. Osteoporosis results from an excess of bone breakdown over formation, and our Program aims to identify the factors that regulate these processes, and develop new therapies that can modify them. We will also determine what it is about bone cell properties that make some cancers, especially those of breast and prostate, particularly prone to spread to bone.Read moreRead less
Novel Therapeutic Strategies To Reduce The Burden Of Chronic Heart Failure
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,928,323.00
Summary
The broad aims of the Program are to develop novel strategies in the prevention and treatment of chronic heart failure. This will involve investigating new targets for pharmacological therapies, evaluating whether common co-morbid disease states such as diabetes alter the efficacy of these therapies and investigating the role of stem-cell therapy in this setting. The Program will also evaluate the contribution of non-heart failure drugs to the burden of heart failure, determine the impact of rur ....The broad aims of the Program are to develop novel strategies in the prevention and treatment of chronic heart failure. This will involve investigating new targets for pharmacological therapies, evaluating whether common co-morbid disease states such as diabetes alter the efficacy of these therapies and investigating the role of stem-cell therapy in this setting. The Program will also evaluate the contribution of non-heart failure drugs to the burden of heart failure, determine the impact of rurality on prescribing for this condition and explore systems of optimising delivery of best practice to the community. This research formalises the existing collaborative efforts of a team of investigators that span all aspects of research into the therapeutics of CHF from basic laboratory research to evaluation of patients in clinical trials and public health translational aspects of this condition. The Chief Investigators and Principal Investigators have an existing successful research collaboration which will be greatly expanded via Program.Read moreRead less
This program brings together a team of researchers from The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research to study how the body regulates antibody production to fight disease. Antibodies are made by B-cells and are essential for a functional immune system. B cells circulate in the body, searching for signs of infection. When they encounter an invader, they mature, with the help of other immune cells, into antibody-producing cells. A small proportion of the cells are set aside as _memory� c ....This program brings together a team of researchers from The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research to study how the body regulates antibody production to fight disease. Antibodies are made by B-cells and are essential for a functional immune system. B cells circulate in the body, searching for signs of infection. When they encounter an invader, they mature, with the help of other immune cells, into antibody-producing cells. A small proportion of the cells are set aside as _memory� cells that can rapidly become antibodyproducing cells should the same infection occur again in the future. This is the basis of vaccination. This program aims to understand how a B cell changes into an antibody-producing cell, by studying the genes that are known to be required for the cells to form, or to do their work. We will study animals whose immune systems are under- or over-active, to find out what part of the antibody-producing process is faulty. Using this information, we hope eventually to be able to study diseases of antibody producing cells in humans (as occur in allergy, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and leukaemia), to be able to identify the precise cause of the problem, and to suggest a therapy. This information may also be used to improve the outcome of vaccination where an enhanced antibody response is desired.Read moreRead less
Muscularskeletal Pain, Injury And Health: Improving Outcomes Through Conservative Management
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$8,123,518.00
Summary
Musculoskeletal pain and injury is a major health issue facing our ageing society. The cost in terms of health care and lost productivity is second only to cardiovascular disease. This Program will address the major musculoskeletal disorders such as spinal pain and osteoarthritis. The team will undertake research with the potential for real and enduring impact on these conditions - from the physiological basis for their occurrence, to trials of innovative drug-free conservative treatments.