Early Life Influences On Child And Adolescent Mental Health Problems
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$299,564.00
Summary
Many children experience mental health problems such as depression and anxiety, causing emotional pain for families and a huge economic cost for society. I aim to prevent these problems before they start. By identifying influences in a pregnant woman’s environment that might lead to mental health problems in her child, such as stress, fertility problems and environmental dangers, we can target these influences early and build positive mental health for children right from the very start of life.
An Investigation Of The Role Of The Pre-frontal Cortex In Cognitive Ageing And Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$291,629.00
Summary
This project will investigate the role of the pre-frontal cortex in cognitive ageing and dementia. New neuroimaging techniques will be used to precisely measure this cerebral structure in a large ageing cohort The new brain measures will be used to identify risk and protective factors of cognitive ageing and dementia. This project is highly significant because it will contribute to the identification of at risk individuals and guide future intervention and clinical studies.
Effects Of Parvalbumin Up-regulation On Ca2+ Handling And Contractile Properties In Skeletal Muscle From Aged Mice
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$287,321.00
Summary
Ageing is accompanied by a loss of muscle function that may be due to an ageing-related impairment of calcium regulation. This project aims to improve calcium regulation in muscles of aged animals by enhancing the calcium buffering capacity via gene transfer. Whether this improves muscle function and muscle regeneration following injury in the aged will be assessed. Information from this project could lead to development of novel strategies to combat the loss of muscle function with ageing.
The Role Of Ikaros In Establishing Regulatory Networks For Lymphocyte Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$345,809.00
Summary
Ikaros is a protein that regulates gene expression during development of lymphocytes from blood stem cells. Ikaros has a profound importance in normal and malignant lymphocyte development, but we still do not know how it controls these processes. The aim of my study is to identify genes regulated by Ikaros and the molecular mechanisms of their regulation. This study will contribute to understanding of the regulatory network controlling the development and function of lymphocytes.
Plasticity Of Cone Bipolar Cells In Retinas With Visual Dysfunction.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$328,261.00
Summary
Advances in stem cell research and gene therapy have shown great promise in their application to eye disorders that lead to blindness. This project will examine the capacity of nerve cells in the eye to remodel in the presence of visual dysfunction and subsequent recovery after gene therapy. The results from this study will therefore benefit current approaches employed for the reestablishment of vision in eye diseases.
Combining Human Genetics With Single-cell Genomics To Unravel The Differentiation Dynamics Of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$354,156.00
Summary
We now have the ability to reprogram mature cells from an adult human into pluripotent stem cells, raising the possibility of using a patient’s own cells for treating currently incurable diseases. My project will provide a better understanding of the role genetic variation between people plays in the variability of the expression and regulation of genes between individual cells during the cell differentiation process. I will also develop statistical and software tools to conduct these analyses.
Are Dietary Carbohydrates The Key To A Long, Healthy Life? Determining The Impact Of Dietary Carbohydrate Composition On Lifespan And Late-life Health.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
The disease burden associated with old age constitutes a major health challenge and the impact of nutrition on ageing is well established. It has recently been shown that a diet high in carbohydrates and low in proteins leads to increased lifespan and improved metabolic health. The aim of this project is to determine if these advantages are dependent on the type of carbohydrates consumed. This study will reveal the composition of diets that lead to longer and healthier life.