This application proposes to study in detail the main target cell for HIV infection, namely CCR5+ CD4 T lymphocytes. After 30 years of the pandemic, fundamental knowledge of these cells, such as locations in the body, differentiation from other lymphocytes, and survival, is still lacking. These attributes determine whether or not they will be infected by HIV, whether this can be prevented by vaccines or CCR5 blocking drugs, and whether their long-term survival results in an inability to eradicat ....This application proposes to study in detail the main target cell for HIV infection, namely CCR5+ CD4 T lymphocytes. After 30 years of the pandemic, fundamental knowledge of these cells, such as locations in the body, differentiation from other lymphocytes, and survival, is still lacking. These attributes determine whether or not they will be infected by HIV, whether this can be prevented by vaccines or CCR5 blocking drugs, and whether their long-term survival results in an inability to eradicate HIV.Read moreRead less
Fetal And Neonatal Therapy To Improve Perinatal Outcome And Long-term Neurodevelopment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$214,032.00
Summary
I am a consultant neonatologist with a half-time research appointment. Preventing perinatal morbidity and mortality is one of the greatest challenges in medicine today. My vision is to lead research into new fetal and neonatal therapies, foster collaborations with clinicians and scientists, and improve clinical practice. The scope of my research includes “brain-oriented” program of neonatal intensive care, neuroprotective strategies, and devising new fetal together with the obstetricians.
Unlocking The Complexities Of Postnatal Brain Injury In Preterm Neonates.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,388.00
Summary
Brain injury is common in preterm infants and is responsible for significant death or life long disease such as cerebral palsy. Brain injury can occur through many mechanisms however the immediate newborn period is identified as a most vulnerable period. This unique proposal utilises existing expertise and new technologies to advance our understanding of the physiological mechanisms behind the progression of brain injury in preterm neonates.
Translating Neuroscience Into Treatments And Public Health Policies For Addictive Behaviours
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,048.00
Summary
Advances from neuroscience promise to revolutionise our ability to treat and prevent addictive disorders such as gambling, overeating and drug addiction. These developments may also have unexpected clinical consequences, undermine individuals’ belief in their control over their behaviour or increase stigma and discrimination. This project will develop clinical guidelines and public health policy recommendations to ensure that we realise the benefits of neuroscience while minimising social harms.
Application Of Next Generation Sequencing To Address Clinical Problems In Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$463,652.00
Summary
Cancer is the cause of 1 in 8 deaths worldwide. Cancer occurs due to errors or mutations in the DNA of normal cells. The mutations may cause the cells to grow incorrectly and become cancer. I will identify the mutations or errors in tumour cells. This will tell us: i) How the tumour started and continued to grow ii) How to treat the tumour cells to kill the cancer The work will involve a variety of cancer types including mesothelioma, melanoma, oesophageal, pancreatic and breast cancer.
Development Of Statistical Methodologies And Application To Clinical Cancer Studies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$428,065.00
Summary
Integrating different layers of information coming from the recent ‘-omics’ technologies can help improving the treatment and the prevention of complex diseases. In particular, the identification of molecular markers of different types can be used for better diagnostics and prognosis in cancer and immune diseases. This project will develop innovative statistical solutions to handle and make sense of the vast amount of biological data that are routinely generated in the laboratories.
Computational Methods For The Analysis Of Next Generation Sequence Data In Human Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$401,361.00
Summary
Modern DNA sequencing technologies generate data at an unprecedented rate, providing the opportunity to develop deep insights into human disease. We can now sequence a tumour genome in a matter of weeks, or assay epigenetic marks in the malaria parasite genome, but these data raise new analysis challenges requiring new statistical and computational methods to solve. This fellowship will support the development of such new methods and will contribute to basic discoveries in human disease.
LINEs Of Mutagenesis, Selection And Evolution In Ovarian Cancer And Chemoresistance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,048.00
Summary
L1 elements are powerful mutagens encoded within the human genome that becomes active in epithelial tumours. I will define the broad effects of L1 elements on the evolution of chemoresistance, focusing on ovarian cancer as a model system. Ovarian cancer is characterised by a poor 5 year survival rate of ~40% with most tumours developing resistance. Understanding the impacts of L1 on this evolution will inform the development and selection of more effective treatments for ovarian cancer.