Inflammasome Function In Gastrointestinal Immunity And Inflammation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$421,116.00
Summary
The immune system in the gut provides a vital defence against microbes. If these defences are ineffective we become infected leading to gastroenteritis, a major cause of death in the third world and hospitalisation in developed countries. Conversely, excessive or inappropriate activation of these defences can cause inflammatory disease. This project will investigate microbial detection in the gut, and aims to discover new, more effective ways to treat gastrointestinal infection and inflammation.
Metabolic Homeostasis: A Potentially Novel Regulatory Pathway Involving Caspase-2
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$316,449.00
Summary
Altered metabolic regulation contributes to ageing and the development of obesity, type II diabetes and cancer. Recently we discovered that an enzyme, caspase-2, is involved in metabolism, oxidative stress and ageing. We now wish to identify how caspase-2 regulates key metabolic pathways during ageing and nutritional stress. These studies will help to better understand metabolic control and may lead to the discovery of new drug targets to promote healthy ageing and prevent disease.
Regulation Of Autoimmunity By Non-apoptotic Caspases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Excessive cell death can lead to chronic inflammation and autoimmunity. Cells can die by different mechanisms including necroptosis which causes inflammation, and apoptosis which does not. Recent studies show that caspases, a component of the apoptosis pathway which accelerate cell death, also prevent immune activation by dying cells. I will investigate whether caspases contribute to autoimmune disease and whether caspases can dampen the inflammation that occurs during necroptotic cell death.