Effects Of Pharmacological Modification Of Ion Channel Activity On The Excitability Of Normal And Diabetic Nerves.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$389,232.00
Summary
Neuropathic disturbances due to diabetes can destroy the quality of life and place a major cost burden on society. This project will provide insight into the actions of specific pharmaceutical agents on human nerves in both healthy subjects and diabetic patients with a view to establishing how these drugs reduce neuropathic symptoms in real life. The study will provide information regarding the underlying causes of neuropathic symptoms in diabetes and may help guide future treatments.
Identifying The Underlying Causes Of Chronic Visceral Pain And Discovering Novel Therapeutic Treatments
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,144.00
Summary
Chronic pain is a major, but under appreciated social, clinical and economic challenge. Globally >1.5 billion people suffer from chronic pain. In the USA alone pain is the leading cause of disability, affecting 115 million adults and costing >$630 billion, more than cancer, heart disease and diabetes combined. By using pre-clinical models and translational science this proposal will identify the key mechanisms underlying chronic pain and also identify novel targets for new therapeutic trea ....Chronic pain is a major, but under appreciated social, clinical and economic challenge. Globally >1.5 billion people suffer from chronic pain. In the USA alone pain is the leading cause of disability, affecting 115 million adults and costing >$630 billion, more than cancer, heart disease and diabetes combined. By using pre-clinical models and translational science this proposal will identify the key mechanisms underlying chronic pain and also identify novel targets for new therapeutic treatmentRead moreRead less
Determining The Mechanisms Underlying Chronic Visceral Pain And Providing Novel Treatment Strategies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,218.00
Summary
Gastroenteritis activates special types of nerve endings in the gut to cause acute pain. In chronic gut pain, although the damaged tissue has healed, the nerve endings remain active and don’t reset back to normal. This project will identify why this occurs, determining pain mechanisms associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, a leading form of chronic pain. It will identify which ion channels and receptors can be targeted allowing the development of novel and effective therapies for pain relief.
Nuclear architecture is critical to the preservation of genome integrity. The aim of this research proposal is to delineate the role of chromatin organisation in transcription factor target search and damage site recruitment of DNA repair factor machinery. To achieve this I have developed fluorescence microscopy methods to monitor changes in chromatin structure with submicron resolution. Only with this technology can I determine how chromatin dynamics maintain genome integrity or induce disease.
The Molecular Mechanism Of Ion-coupled Transport In The Brain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$441,407.00
Summary
Cells in the brain communicate through chemical signals called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitter transporters reside in the membranes of cells and are responsible for regulating levels of these chemicals in the brain. They play an important role in the normal function of the human brain but their dysfunction is responsible for many diseases including Alzheimer's disease and motor neuron disease. It is crucial to understand how these proteins work in both normal and disease states.
A Targeted Nutrient-depletion Approach To Tackle Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,388.00
Summary
Prostate cancer is the most prevalent male specific cancer, and has a similar incidence to breast cancer in women. We are studying the role of protein pumps that control the amount of nutrients taken into and out of cancer cells. We are aiming to structurally determine LAT1 and LAT3, two nutrient pumps important for cancer progression, and to use these structures as a platform for drug design where the intention is to drugs 'starve’ the cancer by restricting nutrient uptake.