Il-18 helps to prevent obesity and type 2 diabetes, however the process by which this cytokine is activated to prevent obesity is not known. We have now found the pathway that drives to this process. This project will seek to extend our observations to show how this can be targeted therapeutically to treat obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Understanding The Host Pathogen Relationships Of Hendra Virus In Bats, Horses And Humans
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$648,339.00
Summary
We will examine why bats can be infected with Hendra Virus with no apparent symptoms, yet the virus causes severe disease in other mammals including humans. We will examine the innate immune response towards the virus in the natural host (fruit bats), horses and humans. In addition to the innate immune response we will also examine the adaptive immune response in bats and humans. We hope this information can be used to design new drugs or vaccines to Hendra Virus.
Targeting Neuroinflammatory Pathways As Novel Treatments For Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,116.00
Summary
Australia has a rapid increase in its ageing population, and consequently an increase in detrimental age-related dementia and neurodegenerative diseases which are a major healthcare burden. Current treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s are inadequate and there is a desperate need for new treatments. I have unique access to molecules that target two novel mechanisms for neurodegenerative diseases. This fellowship will explore their therapeutic potential.
Understanding Pathogenicity And Immunity In An Encephalitic Mouse Model Of Hendra Virus Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$572,342.00
Summary
Our understanding of Hendra virus infection and immunity is extremely limited and has been hampered by a lack of appropriate animal models of disease and reagents. This Project will employ a newly-established mouse model to study encephalitis, the most life-threatening manifestation of this infection. We will use unique, state-of-the-art infrastructure and a plethora of mouse-specific reagents to investigate the mechanisms involved in regulating the host response to infection.
A vaccine to prevent AIDS is urgently needed. The European Union recently awarded over 20 million euros to a European consortium, called EAVI2020, to advance multiple HIV vaccines into human testing. Five Australian HIV vaccine experts are named investigators on this award to provide advanced laboratory analyses and intellectual input into the 5 year program if this NHMRC-EU Collaborative Research Grant is successful.
RELapses PrevENTion In Chronic Autoimmune Disease: Common Mechanisms And Co-morbidities (RELENT)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$499,837.00
Summary
Treatment of people with chronic autoimmune and inflammatory diseases is not optimal, as we do not know how intensively to treat people, and current treatments often have significant side effects. The RELENT program aims, using multiple approaches, to gain a deeper and more useful knowledge of why these diseases are occuring, what might indicate that disease requires more treatment, and which treatments will be most targeted and have the fewest side effects.
LIFEPATH: Life-course Biological Pathways Underlying Social Differences In Healthy Ageing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,466.00
Summary
Healthy ageing varies across society due to environmental, behavioural and social circumstances that affect peoples’ lives. To improve our ability to change this we will investigate suspected biological mechanisms over the life course. Using repeated blood samples collected during a large prospective study, we will measure a very large number of biological markers and analyse these combined with lifestyle and behavioural information to identify the modifiable predictors of healthy ageing.
Nutrition And Rehabilitation In Advanced Cancer Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$225,991.00
Summary
This preliminary project aims to evaluate associations between cancer cachexia, psychosocial factors and cytokine levels in blood. The final decline of most patients with advanced cancer is associated with the cancer cachexia syndrome, triggered in part by cytokine release. Measuring cytokines may enable identification of patients about to enter this final stage. Further, factors like mood and social support appear to alter cytokine levels. The associations established by this study may point to ....This preliminary project aims to evaluate associations between cancer cachexia, psychosocial factors and cytokine levels in blood. The final decline of most patients with advanced cancer is associated with the cancer cachexia syndrome, triggered in part by cytokine release. Measuring cytokines may enable identification of patients about to enter this final stage. Further, factors like mood and social support appear to alter cytokine levels. The associations established by this study may point to treatment options that can delay the terminal phase while improving quality of life.Read moreRead less
Targeting Inflammation As A Biomarker And Treatment For Alzheimer's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$718,920.00
Summary
We are undertaking the challenge of using and developing novel animal models in parallel with studies on affected human subjects to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms linking the changes in inflammation to amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles and cognitive decline. Understanding these mechanisms will allow us to define the biological pathways involved in the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease, and identify potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Biomarkers For Risk And Outcomes Of Type 2 Diabetes: A Discovery And Validation Approach In Australian And Chinese Subjects
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$599,489.00
Summary
The aim is to make better outcomes for people with Type 2 diabetes in Australia and China, by exploring various tests to improve prediction of diabetes progression, complication risk and treatment response. The team has data and samples from the Fenofibrate Intervention and Event Lowering in Diabetes Trial and from the Shanghai Diabetes Study. This approach is very time and cost-effective. We will also study animal models to understand mechanisms of diabetes damage, and test new treatments.