The Calcium Channel TRPV4 In Skeletal Development And Arthritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$683,069.00
Summary
We have discovered that mutations in a calcium channel gene, TRPV4, cause an inherited osteoarthritis in the hands and feet. This work suggests that TRPV4 may be important in osteoarthritis and suggests the exciting possibility that modulating TRPV4 activity may provide a new therapeutic approach for arthritis. We will study how and why the mutations disrupt channel function and study mouse models to see if they are more or less susceptible to arthritis.
Using Abstract Networks to Study Symmetry. An operad is a mathematical tool for packaging the connection between discrete blocks of information. In other words, an operad is a type of network, particularly suited for approaching complex problems by breaking them into smaller, manageable packets. This project aims to reimagine classical objects in geometry and topology such as Teichmüller space as variations of infinity operads. This reimagining will ensure new insights into key objects across th ....Using Abstract Networks to Study Symmetry. An operad is a mathematical tool for packaging the connection between discrete blocks of information. In other words, an operad is a type of network, particularly suited for approaching complex problems by breaking them into smaller, manageable packets. This project aims to reimagine classical objects in geometry and topology such as Teichmüller space as variations of infinity operads. This reimagining will ensure new insights into key objects across three areas of mathematics: algebraic number theory (the mathematics of modern encryption), the representation theory of quantum groups and topological quantum field theories. Read moreRead less
Neourobiology Of Human Epilepsy: Genes, Cellular Mechanisms,network And Whole Brain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$17,652,824.00
Summary
The team is comprised of neurologists, molecular geneticists, physiologists and brain imaging specialists and leads the world in the discovery of the genetic causes of epilepsy. They will continue to identify genes underlying epilepsy and study how genetic variations result in development of seizures. Advanced brain imaging will be used to understand the effects of genetic variation on brain structure and function. This study may lead to new diagnostic methods and treatments for epilepsy.
Determining Fundamental Mechanisms Compromised In Kir-linked Disease States
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,040.00
Summary
The human nervous system and organs are reliant on precisely controlled transmission of electrical currents through sodium and potassium channels. Their core functions are compromised when currents fail to switch on and off normally. Faulty potassium channels are implicated in diabetes, epilepsy and heart failure. This project re-examines the mechanisms controlling potassium channels, with a view to scientific and therapeutic discrimination between the different classes present in human cells.
Modelling TRPV4 Skeletal Disorders Using Human IPSCs
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,171,187.00
Summary
Inherited skeletal disorders are a significant disease burden. Many gene mutations have been defined but we only have limited understanding about how they cause the disease. We will use patient skin cells and new in vitro re-programing technology to induce them to form cartilage cells to produce “disease in a dish” models of human skeletal disorders. These models will allow us to answer questions about how specific mutations cause disease and identify potential therapies
A Novel Therapeutic Target For Preventing Helicobacter Pylori-associated Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$750,336.00
Summary
Gastric cancer mainly results from chronic inflammation (gastritis) caused by the stomach-dwelling bacterium, Helicobacter pylori. We have identified a potassium channel which our data suggest could be a new therapeutic target for protecting against gastric cancer caused by H. pylori infection. This project will test the role of this channel in H. pylori gastritis and see whether drugs that target this channel can protect mice against H. pylori-associated disease.
Epilepsy: Molecular Basis And Mechanisms In The Era Of Functional Genomics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$12,062,533.00
Summary
The team comprises of neurologists with a special interest in epilepsy (both adult and child) molecular geneticists, physiologists and brain imaging specialists. The team leads the world in the discovery of the genetic causes of epilepsy and epilepsy associated with intellectual disability. The team will continue to identify the genes underlying epilepsy, and study how genetic variations result in the development of seizures and will continue to develop advanced imaging techniques for these stud ....The team comprises of neurologists with a special interest in epilepsy (both adult and child) molecular geneticists, physiologists and brain imaging specialists. The team leads the world in the discovery of the genetic causes of epilepsy and epilepsy associated with intellectual disability. The team will continue to identify the genes underlying epilepsy, and study how genetic variations result in the development of seizures and will continue to develop advanced imaging techniques for these studies. This will include extensive laboratory studies, including the development of mice with the exact mutations that we find in the human condition. Stateof-the-art imaging techniques with magnetic resonance and positron emission tomography are used in human subjects to further understand the effects of the mutations on the structure and function of the brain. This will allow deep understanding of how seizures develop and may lead to new diagnostic methods and treatments. The laboratory and clinical aspects of the research are tightly integrated in this internationally leading collaborative program.Read moreRead less
Categorical symmetries in representation theory. This project aims to develop categorical symmetries of central objects in mathematics such as braid groups, the Hilbert scheme of points, and the Virasoro algebra. The concept of symmetry is an important organising principle in science. Representation theory is the field of mathematics concerned with studying symmetries. The problems proposed have connections to many different areas including algebra, geometry, topology, and mathematical physics. ....Categorical symmetries in representation theory. This project aims to develop categorical symmetries of central objects in mathematics such as braid groups, the Hilbert scheme of points, and the Virasoro algebra. The concept of symmetry is an important organising principle in science. Representation theory is the field of mathematics concerned with studying symmetries. The problems proposed have connections to many different areas including algebra, geometry, topology, and mathematical physics. This project expects to advance pure mathematics and provide potential benefit in many related fields.Read moreRead less
Homotopy theory: interactions with representation theory and moduli spaces. This proposal will involve young researchers and train them for problem solving in many fields, including management, the sciences, the financial industries, and the development of technologies. Furthermore, many of the projects in this proposal are collaborative and interdisciplinary. It is the CI's sincere hope that this proposal can help bolster communication amongst the wealth of topology, number theory, and mathe ....Homotopy theory: interactions with representation theory and moduli spaces. This proposal will involve young researchers and train them for problem solving in many fields, including management, the sciences, the financial industries, and the development of technologies. Furthermore, many of the projects in this proposal are collaborative and interdisciplinary. It is the CI's sincere hope that this proposal can help bolster communication amongst the wealth of topology, number theory, and mathematical physics experts in Australia. The research in these exciting areas of mathematics will contribute to maintaining Australia's position as a research leader in pure mathematics.
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Subtle Symmetries and the Refined Monster. The project plans to develop a new conceptual framework for the representations and characters of categorical groups. The field of representation theory exploits the symmetries of an object (eg a molecule) in order to facilitate its study. This project aims to investigate the case where the symmetries themselves are related by symmetries. Traditionally often ignored, this subtle but powerful information turns out to be at the heart of various deep pheno ....Subtle Symmetries and the Refined Monster. The project plans to develop a new conceptual framework for the representations and characters of categorical groups. The field of representation theory exploits the symmetries of an object (eg a molecule) in order to facilitate its study. This project aims to investigate the case where the symmetries themselves are related by symmetries. Traditionally often ignored, this subtle but powerful information turns out to be at the heart of various deep phenomena. It is anticipated that the project’s approach recasts and simplifies some important and difficult mathematics, providing a new approach to affine representation theory, to the foundations and symmetries of string theory, and the Refined Monster Conjecture.Read moreRead less