Defining The Machinery For Mitochondrial Turnover Governed By The Parkinson’s Disease Proteins PINK1 And Parkin
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$432,987.00
Summary
Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system in which the underlying cause is mostly unknown. To pave the way to a better understanding of what goes wrong, this study will investigate the function of PINK1 and Parkin, two proteins that are mutated in inherited forms of the disease that play important roles in maintaining cellular health. The results of this study will be used in exploring new therapeutic targets for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease symptoms.
Defining The Role Of A Palmitoylated Variant Of Sphingosine Kinase 1 In Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$603,452.00
Summary
Sphingosine kinase is a protein that when dysregulated is involved in cancer development and progression. We have recently made a substantial breakthrough in this area by identifing a naturally occuring variant of sphingosine kinase that is constantly activated and has an enhanced ability to induce cancer. In this study we will examine and target this form of sphingosine kinase as a potential therapeutic intervention in cancer.
The Impact Of The Changes In Levels Of Adhesion Molecules NCAM2 And DsCAM On Synapse Formation And Function: Implications For Down Syndrome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$334,053.00
Summary
Down syndrome (DS) results from triplication of chromosome 21 and leads to mental retardation, molecular mechanisms of which are not understood. We found that two proteins, NCAM2 and DSCAM, encoded at chromosome 21 are highly expressed in synapses. Synapses are specialized contacts between neurons which allow neurons to process information in the brain. In this project we will test a hypothesis that changes in NCAM2 and DSCAM expression result in synapse abnormalities observed in DS.
Disrupting Mucin-mucin Interactions To Treat Respiratory Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$480,531.00
Summary
Diseases like asthma, emphysema and cystic fibrosis all feature the overproduction of mucus in the lungs that make it very difficult for patients to breathe and increases their susceptibility to infections. Few therapies are available for thinning this mucus, which is made thick by a network of linkages between proteins. We are studying these linkages and developing methods to break them up. This research could yield new mucus-thinning drugs to treat lung diseases.
Improving Muscular Dystrophy By Targeting The ADAMTS5 Metalloproteinase
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$658,571.00
Summary
Muscular dystrophy is a devastating childhood disorder. There is no cure and no effective therapy to stop the disease progressing to early death. Our pilot data show that muscular dystrophy in a mouse model is dramatically improved when the Adamts5 gene is inactivated. ADAMTS5 is an enzyme that remodels the extracellular matrix around cells. This suggests that inhibiting ADAMTS5 may be a new way to treat muscular dystrophy. We will test this idea in mice with muscular dystrophy
Redefining The Pro-thrombotic Mechanism Of Von Willebrand Factor
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$750,005.00
Summary
Blood clotting is the underlying cause of heart attacks and strokes. The blood protein, von Willebrand factor, is a critical player in blood clotting and impairment of its function is life threatening. We have discovered that there are three forms of VWF in human blood that have different functions in blood clotting. Characterisation of these different forms will likely lead to new blood clotting diagnostics and improved therapies.
Mechanistic And Functional Drivers Of Neochromosome Evolution
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$763,771.00
Summary
Neochromosomes are Frankenstein chromosomes--massive extra chromosomes that are stitched together from 100s of pieces of normal chromosomes. They are found in 3% of cancers, but are common in some types, such as liposarcoma. We have mapped their structure and found they form through punctuated chromosome shattering and gene amplification. We will investigate the precise molecular mechanisms that cause this and the recurrent transcriptional and epigenetic drivers lead to their formation.
High Risk Prescribing In Older Australians: Prevalence, Outcomes And Potential For Intervention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$595,628.00
Summary
Older people are the most likely to be prescribed medicines yet they are the most likely to be harmed by their medicines. The extent of and trends in high risk prescribing among older Australians are not known. This project will use large-scale linked data to determine the prevalence, risk factors, clinical consequences and costs of high risk prescribing among older people in Australia. The findings of this project will be used to identify targets for minimising harm relating to use of medicines ....Older people are the most likely to be prescribed medicines yet they are the most likely to be harmed by their medicines. The extent of and trends in high risk prescribing among older Australians are not known. This project will use large-scale linked data to determine the prevalence, risk factors, clinical consequences and costs of high risk prescribing among older people in Australia. The findings of this project will be used to identify targets for minimising harm relating to use of medicines.Read moreRead less
High-resolution Brain Imaging Of Cerebellar Non-motor Functions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$336,012.00
Summary
This project will develop and apply cutting-edge methods for high resolution, high-field (7 Tesla) functional brain imaging to assess non-motor functions within the cerebellum in the living human brain. This is crucial for understanding and later assessing changes in cerebellar networks and effects of treatment and rehabilitation strategies in a range of cerebellar disorders.
Successful Ageing In Older Men – Thriving Not Just Surviving In The Health In Men Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$628,810.00
Summary
Despite “Ageing well, ageing productively” being listed as a research priority, we still do not know what factors increase the ability for people to live a healthy old age, particularly as they enter their older years. Studies suggest that factors in late life have quite different effects on both survival and the major causes of illness. This application will use a large group of older men who have already been followed for 15 years to determine what increases the chance of successful ageing.