Cellular Regulation Of Receptor Signalling And Cytokine Responses
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$859,288.00
Summary
Cell surface receptors and signalling pathways elicit the release of cytokines, or chemical messengers, to control inflammation, which is the body’s response to infection or danger. We have discovered a new signalling pathway that can turn off inflammation and help prevent inflammatory disease. Our studies will now define the molecular details of this pathway and show how new and existing drugs targeting this pathway can be optimally used to treat inflammation and cancer.
A Structural Understanding Of Class B G Protein-coupled Receptor Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,289,570.00
Summary
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of cell surface proteins that enable communication from external signals to the inside of cells of the body. Class B GPCRs are a therapeutically important subclass of these receptors and they play crucial roles in bone and energy homeostasis, cardiovascular control and immune response. This grant will uncover fundamental knowledge on how these receptors work, and will enhance future development of therapeutics.
GABA(B) Receptor Modulation Of Gastrointestinal Function In Health And Disease By Alpha-Conotoxins
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$689,050.00
Summary
Chronic visceral pain is a common and debilitating condition arising from numerous diseases that affect our internal organs. There is a desperate need for more information about the mechanisms responsible for signalling chronic visceral pain to provide therapies and potentially find a cure for it. Our research focuses on ?-conotoxins (small peptides from marine cone snail venom) as novel potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of chronic visceral pain.
Modulating Inflammatory And Fibrogenic Pathways In Kidney Disease Using A Novel Antagonist Of Protease-Activated-Receptor-2
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$581,116.00
Summary
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) now affects 10% of adults in industrialised countries. Current treatments are largely ineffective. Thus developing better CKD treatments will have substantial public health benefit. Three well established and clinically relevant animal models of kidney disease will be used to test the ability of a new experimental anti-inflammatory drug, developed by members of this research team at The University of Queensland, to prevent or lessen the progression of CKD.
Macrophages are important cells at the front-line of immunity where one of their main roles is to release anti-bacterial proteins. We will study the macrophage molecules, subcellular organelles and pathways that help to release these proteins to kill bacteria and fight infection. Our studies will identify new cellular targets for boosting immunity and treating inherited diseases with defective macrophage function.
Discovery and characterisation of novel spider-venom peptides targeting the human sodium ion channel Nav1.7. Drugs that selectively block the human sodium ion channel Nav1.7 are likely to be powerful analgesics for treating a wide variety of pain conditions. However, it has proved difficult to obtain selective blockers of this channel. The aim of this project is to determine whether spider-venoms might provide a source of highly selective Nav1.7 blockers.
Development of chaperonin 10-based second generation biopharmaceuticals for treatment of inflammatory diseases. Diseases caused by malfunctioning of the body's immune system (inflammatory diseases) such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and Crohn's disease cause illness in all cultures and societies, and impose financial strain on health care providers. Current treatment relies on biopharmaceuticals that block inflammatory mediators in the body or with pharmaceuticals such as anti-inflammatory ....Development of chaperonin 10-based second generation biopharmaceuticals for treatment of inflammatory diseases. Diseases caused by malfunctioning of the body's immune system (inflammatory diseases) such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and Crohn's disease cause illness in all cultures and societies, and impose financial strain on health care providers. Current treatment relies on biopharmaceuticals that block inflammatory mediators in the body or with pharmaceuticals such as anti-inflammatory drugs; both these treatments may have serious side effects. Cpn10 suppresses the body's inflammatory response while maintaining immune function to combat infections. The project seeks to develop new, safe and effective biopharmaceuticals based on Cpn10 for the treatment of a variety of chronic inflammatory diseases and autoimmune disorders.Read moreRead less
Characterisation of the anti-inflammatory pathway targeted by chaperonin 10 (Cpn10). Diseases associated with excessive or inappropriate inflammation represent an enormous socioeconomic burden, and there is currently an urgent need to identify new targets for the development of more efficacious and safe treatments. This research seeks to provide such targets. The research may also lead to improvements in chaperonin 10 (Cpn10) treatment, which has already showing marked success in chronic inflamm ....Characterisation of the anti-inflammatory pathway targeted by chaperonin 10 (Cpn10). Diseases associated with excessive or inappropriate inflammation represent an enormous socioeconomic burden, and there is currently an urgent need to identify new targets for the development of more efficacious and safe treatments. This research seeks to provide such targets. The research may also lead to improvements in chaperonin 10 (Cpn10) treatment, which has already showing marked success in chronic inflammatory disease trials. Importantly, Cpn10 appears to be anti-inflammatory rather than immunosuppressive; a critical advantage over many current anti-inflammatory interventions. Immunosuppression can lead to increased infections, which can have serious consequences, especially in elderly patients.Read moreRead less