The Role Of The Hedgehog Signaling Pathway In Asbestos Associated Malignant Mesothelioma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$563,554.00
Summary
Mesothelioma is a aggressive asbestos related cancer mainly of the lung with no effective treatment. Evidence is pointing to the reactivation and aberrant expression of developmental signalling pathways such as the hedgehog signalling pathway as critical to the pathogenesis of certain types of cancer. This study will determine if mesothelioma is regulated by signalling through the hedgehog pathway and by blocking this pathway we will attempt to inhibit tumour growth.
Control Of Human Inspiratory Muscles In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$396,699.00
Summary
This project will study how human inspiratory muscles that 'pump' air into the lungs and upper airway 'dilator' muscles are controlled in normal healthy subjects and subjects with respiratory disorders such as obstructive sleep apnoea. We will study (i) the output to the inspiratory muscles, (ii) the interation of automatic and voluntary control of breathing, and (iii) reflex connections of human pump and dilator muscles. This work promises new understanding of basic and patho-physiology.
The Role Of Src Family Tyrosine Kinases In Inflammatory Lung Disease And Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$535,333.00
Summary
We aim to learn why some people develop COPD, a serious lung disease, and adenocarcinoma, a common fatal lung cancer. COPD is mostly caused by cigarette smoke which induces lung inflammation. Lung inflammation, which involves macrophage activation, is a major cancer risk. Macrophages can destroy lung tissue, and they may promote cancer development. We will study the role of Src kinases, which can regulate macrophage activation, which may lead to new treatments for these diseases.
Investigatin The Causes Of Failed Efferocytosis In COPD-emphysema With A View To Identifying Novel Theraputic Targets
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$380,558.00
Summary
COPD is a leading cause of death. Smoking is the major cause of COPD and many sufferers are left with permanent damage and need ongoing treatment even after smoking cessation. Current treatments for COPD generally have limited efficacy. The project will identify the reason for the large number of dying cells and defective clearance of these cells that we have identified in the airways in COPD and study novel treatments that we hope will improve the health and well being of those with COPD.
Economic, social and cross cultural issues in non-pharmaceutical protection of front line responders to pandemic influenza and emerging infections. The protection of front line responders in a pandemic is essential to underpin an effective response. This research is the only work internationally which will address a key gap in evidence. This research has major implications for the national stockpile and for management of front line responders in a pandemic. These data are urgently needed, not ju ....Economic, social and cross cultural issues in non-pharmaceutical protection of front line responders to pandemic influenza and emerging infections. The protection of front line responders in a pandemic is essential to underpin an effective response. This research is the only work internationally which will address a key gap in evidence. This research has major implications for the national stockpile and for management of front line responders in a pandemic. These data are urgently needed, not just in Australia, but globally to inform pandemic planning and disease control policy around emerging infections and bioterrorism.Read moreRead less
Minimally invasive monitoring of sleep for disease management. Sleep, diet and exercise are the three pillars of wellbeing with poor sleep associated with medical issues such as obesity and congestive heart failure. This project will advance sleep analysis by researching new ways of monitoring that are highly accurate and convenient, enabling physicians to improve the monitoring of significant health issues.
A New Non-invasive Diagnostic Technique Based On Detection Of Exhaled Respiratory Pathogens.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$179,300.00
Summary
We developed a special collection mask and showed that the breath of people with colds or flu contains a tiny amount of virus. Currently, diagnostic samples are collected by putting a tube into the airways - this is very uncomfortable. Our masks may provide a new and more comfortable way to diagnose lung infections. We want to build better masks and ways to detect viruses and bacteria to test out this method. This may create a new test that will improve diagnosis and treatment.
Mechanisms Of Apnea And Periodic Breathing In The Newborn.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$381,100.00
Summary
Breathing pauses referred to as apnea or periodic breathing occur frequently in the preterm infant, and often require intensive clinical vigilance to ensure survival. And yet the mechanisms that produce and terminate apnea are not understood. This study will investigate the mechanisms underlying infantile apnea and periodic breathing and the effectiveness of drugs and techniques currently used to control apnea by using a combination of infant animal model studies, mathematical modelling studies ....Breathing pauses referred to as apnea or periodic breathing occur frequently in the preterm infant, and often require intensive clinical vigilance to ensure survival. And yet the mechanisms that produce and terminate apnea are not understood. This study will investigate the mechanisms underlying infantile apnea and periodic breathing and the effectiveness of drugs and techniques currently used to control apnea by using a combination of infant animal model studies, mathematical modelling studies and studies in human preterm infants to improve our understanding of breathing control in infancy.Read moreRead less
Is Lyn Tyrosine Kinase A Predictor Of Severe, Persistent Multi-trait Asthma And Allergy?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$250,250.00
Summary
Asthma is a major health problem in Australia affecting over 10% of the population at any time, and more than 25% of the population at one stage in their lives. Although the public perception is that asthma treatments have improved management of the disease, more than 700 people die from severe asthma each year and hospitalisation from exacerbation (sudden worsening) is one of the most costly components of the health care burden in Australia and most developed countries. Currently there are no m ....Asthma is a major health problem in Australia affecting over 10% of the population at any time, and more than 25% of the population at one stage in their lives. Although the public perception is that asthma treatments have improved management of the disease, more than 700 people die from severe asthma each year and hospitalisation from exacerbation (sudden worsening) is one of the most costly components of the health care burden in Australia and most developed countries. Currently there are no molecular markers that can predict who will get severe asthma and there are no specific treatments to reverse severe exacerbations. This project will use advanced molecular biology methods to examine whether a molecule called Lyn may be important. The Lyn tyrosine kinase is a member of a family of genes that participate in transmitting information across the cell membrane. This enzyme is expressed in blood cells, and is involved in mechanisms pertaining to infection, immunity and allergic responses. To further our understanding of the role of this enzyme in the context of the whole animal, we have generated mice that are unable to make Lyn protein (Lyn-deficient mice). In animal models of asthma we know that if Lyn is not functioning, severe and persistent asthma develops. We have also made preliminary studies that suggest that Lyn does not work properly in people who have been admitted to the emergency ward with life threatenting asthma. In this study we will examine in detail the role that Lyn plays in asthma and allergy, and we intend to identify the pathways that give rise to asthma in Lyn-deficient mice. We will also investigate our hypothesis that Lyn activity may be reduced or disregulated in patients with asthma and allergy. This research should lead to better predictive markers for severe asthma and also to improved and specific treatments.Read moreRead less
Assessing a model of the physiological changes at arousal from sleep. Arousals from sleep are common in the elderly and have adverse consequences. This project will investigate a model of the changes in bodily processes (muscle, brain and cardiovascular activation) that occur when humans awaken from sleep.