RNA Interference And Retigabine Therapy Protect Against Hereditary Hearing Loss
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$370,522.00
Summary
The preservation of hearing function is central to the treatment of individuals who are genetically predisposed to hearing loss. At present only synthetic hearing aids and cochlear implants can provide functional improvement, albeit sub-optimal. The studies described here will seek to prevent hearing loss by reducing the damaging effects of defective genes. Gene therapies that reduce the effect of these defective genes and a drug that enhances the activity of functional genes will be developed.
Retrotransposon Regulation Of The Human Innate Immune Response
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$231,937.00
Summary
Complete sequencing of the human genome has revealed the positions of approximately 20,000 genes. In addition, nearly 50% of the human genome is comprised of repetitive sequences previously thought of as junk DNA. Numerous studies are now finding that this DNA actually has a variety of important functions, particularly in the control of gene activity. This project will examine the relationships between gene expression and nearby repetitive sequences during the innate immune response in humans.
Therapeutics Discovery Program To Uncover Novel Strategies For Hepatocellular Carcinoma Prevention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$396,252.00
Summary
Liver cancer (HCC) incidence is rapidly rising. It is the fastest increasing cause of cancer death in Australia. There are no therapies that prevent HCC or stop liver disease progression. Liver gene profiles have been shown to be associated with HCC development, poor outcome, recurrence, future risk of progressive liver damage and future HCC. Targeting these gene profiles may yield targets for HCC prevention and halt liver disease progression that may revolutionalise liver disease management.
Adrenocortical cancers have a poor prognosis. It is essential that patients with adrenocortical cancers be diagnosed early and accurately to enable the initiation of appropriate treatment. Current methods do not reliably differentiate benign adrenal tumours from adrenocortical cancers. The aim of my project is to identify molecular markers which can accurately distinguish benign adrenal tumours from adrenocortical cancers, allowing accurate diagnosis and institution of optimal therapy.
Genome-wide Association Studies Of Biomedical Traits And Endophenotypes For Complex Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$295,804.00
Summary
The burden of common complex diseases, such as cardiovascular disease is substantial to the health care system. These diseases are caused by genes and environments as well as their interactions. The proposed project will identify genes affecting the susceptibility of individuals to complex diseases. Discovery of such genes will be important for their diagnosis, prevention and treatment and may serve as an important resource for future personalized medicine.