Understanding G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs): Accelerating Discovery From Concept To Clinic.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$6,871,789.00
Summary
G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) form the largest family of receptors (and thus drug targets) in living organisms. Currently, the major reason that new drugs fail to reach the clinic is lack of appropriate drug effect (approx. 30%). Thus, we need a better understanding of how GPCRs work and how this relates to disease. Our Program addresses this knowledge gap, using GPCR models that are relevant to treatment of metabolic, cardiovascular and central nervous system disease.
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is threatening the health of this nation and if unchecked will cripple our health care system. There are several problems: (1) The incidence of T2D is growing and we do not fully know why; (2) T2D involves defective insulin action but how insulin works normally is still unclear; (3) much research in this area is performed in laboratory cells or animals and the translation of this research to the human disease is yet to be fully realised; and (4) current therapies and diagno ....Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is threatening the health of this nation and if unchecked will cripple our health care system. There are several problems: (1) The incidence of T2D is growing and we do not fully know why; (2) T2D involves defective insulin action but how insulin works normally is still unclear; (3) much research in this area is performed in laboratory cells or animals and the translation of this research to the human disease is yet to be fully realised; and (4) current therapies and diagnostic markers for early disease prediction are inadequate. Our goal is to make progress in each of these areas.Read moreRead less