The Appendix In Intestinal Immunity And Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$465,210.00
Summary
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) consist of two entities: ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. IBD causes relapsing and remitting gut inflammation in relatively young populations of patients. Our understanding of causes of IBD is poor, but the diseases involve an interaction between the intestinal immune system, genetic predisposition and bacteria in the gut. One unexplained observation, made by a number of groups, is that removal of the appendix, especially if performed when young, protects ....Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) consist of two entities: ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. IBD causes relapsing and remitting gut inflammation in relatively young populations of patients. Our understanding of causes of IBD is poor, but the diseases involve an interaction between the intestinal immune system, genetic predisposition and bacteria in the gut. One unexplained observation, made by a number of groups, is that removal of the appendix, especially if performed when young, protects against the later development of ulcerative colitis and probably Crohn s disease. If IBD does develop following earlier appendicectomy, it tends to be less severe. In this project, we plan to examine the immune features of the appendix, in human and mouse. The appendix is a major source of immune cells in the intestine but the nature of these cells and their functions are poorly understood. The aims of the project will explore the nature of immune cells, known as T lymphocytes, isolated from human and mouse appendices. Changes with age will be examined, to explain the age-related nature of the appendicectomy-IBD link. Anti- and pro-inflammatory characteristics of the cells will be studied, the migration pathways of these cells from appendix to other parts of the intestine will be clarified, and the therapeutic potential of these T cells in a mouse model of IBD will be elucidated. In addition, this will be the first study to develop and analyse a mouse model of appendicitis, which is very poorly understood. These studies will make important observations relevant not only to IBD, but to the immune function of the intestine, with implications for our fundamental understanding of the way we are protected from our hostile environment.Read moreRead less
Neurodegeneration In The Ageing Brain: How The Pathways Leading To Aggregated Protein Cause Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$12,322,838.00
Summary
The team consists of eight highly experienced research scientists who are dedicated to solving the question of how the brain degenerates in the elderly when associated with the accumulation of certain proteins: e.g. A_ amyloid (Alzheimer�s disease) and PrP (Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease). Understanding the molecular pathways leading to the degeneration (loss of neuronal synapses) will permit the development of rational diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Over the past five years the program ha ....The team consists of eight highly experienced research scientists who are dedicated to solving the question of how the brain degenerates in the elderly when associated with the accumulation of certain proteins: e.g. A_ amyloid (Alzheimer�s disease) and PrP (Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease). Understanding the molecular pathways leading to the degeneration (loss of neuronal synapses) will permit the development of rational diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Over the past five years the program has identified several diagnostic and therapeutic avenues which are now being developed by the Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology industries. Much more research is still required for maximizing the chances of success using these approaches.Read moreRead less
The Prevalence And Trajectory Of Kidney Disease In Urban Aboriginal Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$94,515.00
Summary
The Study of Environment and Aboriginal Resilience on Child Health is a major NHMRC funded project looking at the health and illness of urban Aboriginal children in Australia. By working together with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services across urban and large regional centres in NSW the study team hope to better understand the causes of common diseases such as kidney and heart disease, and whether these first begin in childhood.
Computational Modelling To Understand Early-stage Neurodegeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
Rather than attempting to reverse neurodegeneration, therapeutic strategies must target the earliest possible stages of disease, when treatments have the potential to prevent or slow down pathological progression. The proposed project will employ computational modelling using functional MRI to deliver highly efficient and sensitive markers of Familial Alzheimer’s disease and Huntington’s disease progression to inform when in the progression of disease clinical trials should take place.
The Causes, Treatment, And Prognosis Of Thyroid Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$190,445.00
Summary
The thyroid gland controls body metabolism and is crucial to life. Disorders of the thyroid place a severe burden on the health system. Yet despite this, much is unknown about the causes, optimal treatments, and prognosis of thyroid disease. In this NHMRC Early Career Fellowship, Don aims to advance knowledge and improve treatments of these common conditions, focusing on thyroid cancer, Graves’ disease, and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
How The Environment And Epigenetics Affect The Brain Disease Gene, MAPT.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Summary
Genetic variants in the microtubule associated protein Tau (MAPT) gene are major risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Environmental or lifestyle factors, such as diet and smoking, have crucial roles in changing the risk of developing these diseases. These environmental factors may exert their influence via a mechanism known as "epigenetics". This project aims to determine whether the MAPT gene is susceptible to epigenetic changes by environmental factors, and whether thi ....Genetic variants in the microtubule associated protein Tau (MAPT) gene are major risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Environmental or lifestyle factors, such as diet and smoking, have crucial roles in changing the risk of developing these diseases. These environmental factors may exert their influence via a mechanism known as "epigenetics". This project aims to determine whether the MAPT gene is susceptible to epigenetic changes by environmental factors, and whether this process will have an impact on these diseases.Read moreRead less
Type 2 Diabetic Renal Complications And Microvascular Injury: Novel Predictors Of Onset And Progression, Mechanisms Of Association With Cardiovascular Disease And The Benefits Of Fenofibrate.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$84,448.00
Summary
We will investigate the mechanisms of diabetic complications related to kidney and blood vessel disease, focusing on identifying people at greater risk and ways to improve or prevent these complications. In addition, we will look at how diabetic kidney disease affects non-kidney related problems like heart disease and examine the benefit of fenofibrate on both. This greater understanding will aid further drug development in kidney and cardiovascular diseases.