The Relationship Between Maternal And Infant Dietary Intake Of Fermentable Fibre, Gut Microbiota, Short Chain Fatty Acids And Allergic Disease And Asthma: A Population-derived Birth Cohort Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$871,700.00
Summary
The proposed study will involve the Barwon Infant Study (BIS) cohort of 1074 infants to provide the first systematic investigation of the hypotheses that the epidemic of allergic disease and asthma in many parts of the world relates to the paucity of fermentable fibre in the modern diet, and that the protective effect of fermentable fibre is mediated by changes in the organisms that colonise the gut and the metabolites that they produce.
Methylation-sensitive T Cell Genes And Childhood Food Allergy.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$461,232.00
Summary
Australia has the highest reported prevalence food allergy in the world. Despite this, little is known about how allergy develops. Mounting evidence implicates environmentally induced disruption of the genetic blueprint via a process known as epigenetics. We are combining the strengths of food challenge proven food allergy with assessment of immune functioning & cutting edge genomics, to extensively characterise the pathways leading to food allergy in children.
Genotypes And Phenotypes Of Human Primary Non-congenital Antibody Deficiency
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$544,692.00
Summary
Antibodies represent a key component of the immune system, and a particularly important in defence against bacterial and viral infections. In some individuals, antibody production fails, rendering them more susceptible to infection. In most cases, the mechanism of antibody failure is unknown. This project seeks to determine the genetic and cellular mechanisms of antibody failure. This could improve diagnosis for immune deficiency, and improve our overall understanding of the immune system.
Understanding The Role Of The Putative Phospholipid Translocase ATP11c In B Cell Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$455,153.00
Summary
The immune system protects humans against recurrent infections with a wide range of pathogens. Formation of antibodies is a crucial element of the immune response. Defects in the production of antibodies can lead to recurrent and often life-threatening infections. This project seeks to understand a genetic defect in mice resulting in an almost complete absence of antibody producing cells, thereby causing a disease that is similar to some forms of human immunodeficiency.
Regulation Of Receptors That Control Platelet Function Under Shear Stress
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$507,273.00
Summary
Specialized human blood cells that control blood loss and clotting (platelets) are currently difficult to test in the clinical laboratory, meaning patients are at risk of excessive bleeding or serious clot formation during disease or treatment. The aim of this proposal is to use our new reagents and assays to develop more reliable methods for evaluating relative bleeding or clotting risk in individuals.
Autoimmune-based thrombocytopenia can be a life-threatening adverse event associated with viral load, surgery, drug therapies or the use of the anticoagulant, heparin. This grant will define mechanisms of anti-platelet antibody-dependent platelet activation and assess shedding of platelet-specific glycoprotein (GP)VI as an immediate consequence of this activation, provide a new strategy for evaluating risk of thrombosis in HIT.
How BANK1 Pathway Defects In B Cells Cause Human Lupus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,316,839.00
Summary
Autoimmune diseases affect 1 in 20 Australians and are incurable. To find effective therapies, we need to understand the genes that cause disease in humans. We have sequenced the entire genome of patients with an autoimmune disease and found several patients carrry two mutations in genes important for activation of B cells and shown these mutations cause disease. We plan to understand how these genes prevent autoimmunity, and to identify the best treatment for patients with these mutations.
Virus and host genes and the outcome of infection. Viruses cause infection of all animals including people and the outcome of infection is highly variable. This project aims to use genetics to explain why some animals are more susceptible to particular virus infections and some strains of virus cause more severe diseases. The project will also explore whether all cells are similarly susceptible to killing by viruses.
Humanisation And Pre-clinical Validation Of A Therapeutic Anti-cancer Antibody
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$699,136.00
Summary
This grant will develop a novel antibody against a protease expressed on cancer cells. Preclinical studies, and antibody humanisation, will be performed. This project will also provide vital information on optimal therapeutic approaches with the antibody that can be ultimately taken into human trials.
Studies On The Expression Of Muscarinic Receptors: Implications For The Pathology Of Schizophrenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$498,791.00
Summary
Schizophrenia is a severe psychiatric disorder that affects approximately 1% of the population. This project will help define changes in the molecules in the brain of subjects with schizophrenia which are likely to be involved in two symptoms of the disorder, the psychoses and cognitive deficits. Understanding the cause of the cognitive deficits of schizophrenia is a high priority because they are the most disabilitating symptom of the disorder and do not respond to current drug treatments.