Novel Insights Into The Mechanisms Of How Viruses Cause Arthritis/Arthralgia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$78,187.00
Summary
Viruses cause many diseases today and new viruses emerge to post threats to future health and well being. The proposed work investigates how viruses cause disease in people, particularly how viral infections can lead to arthritis or muscle pain. This understanding will be used in the development of new prevention strategies and treatments.
Improving Long-term Weight Loss By Deactivating The Famine Reaction With Molecular Or Lifestyle Means
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$420,872.00
Summary
Dr Amanda Sainsbury-Salis’ research will clarify which hormones and natural brain chemicals interact in the hypothalamus of the brain to control the famine reaction, the survival mechanism that slows your weight loss when you are on a diet. By knowing precisely which natural chemicals mediate the famine reaction and how they interact, it will be possible to weaken them by pharmaceutical and - or lifestyle means, thereby enabling more people to reap the benefits of being lean and healthy.
The Role And Underlying Mechanisms Of Constitutional Epigenetic Silencing In Cancer Predisposition
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$218,617.00
Summary
Familial and young onset bowel and uterine cancer are usually caused by the inheritance of spelling mistakes in the genetic code within a set of cancer-protection genes. Recently, some patients were identified with their gene switched off by paralysing chemicals instead. This study aims to identify additional cancer cases with gene paralysis, determine if this arises in the presence or absence of a genetic change in front of the gene, and how gene paralysis is transmitted to the next generation.
Peripheral Membrane Proteins In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$469,151.00
Summary
Peripheral membrane proteins are critical for processes such as cell transport, signaling, neurosecretion and development. As such, their dysfunction can lead to many debilitating diseases including cancer, inflammation and neurodegeneration. This project will establish fundamental new knowledge about how peripheral membrane proteins regulate cell function, how their perturbation or mutation results in human disease, and will inform efforts to target them for future therapeutic outcomes.
Asthma Genetics: Dissecting The Missing Heritability And Biology
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$451,716.00
Summary
The goal of this application is to apply state-of-the-art technologies to (1) identify genes that increase the risk of developing asthma and (2) help translate this information into knowledge that can be used to improve disease management. I will achieve this by analysing data generated by the Australian Asthma Genetics Consortium and international collaborators.
The Structural Basis Of T Cell Recognition In The Context Of Lipid Presentation And The CD1 Isoforms
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$380,558.00
Summary
CD1 molecules are critical in our host-defence against microbial pathogens. They survey our body for microbial lipids and then present them to our immune system for surveillance by T cell receptors. We aim to understand how a T cell receptor interacts with a CD1-lipid molecule. This interaction is crucial to the activation of our immune response and hence the elimination of the microbe. Once understood, this interaction can potentially be modified and has immunotherapeutic potential.
Using Modelling To Evaluate STI Epidemiology Control Strategies And Investigate Chlamydial Within-host Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$94,250.00
Summary
This research will further our understanding of the mechanisms that give rise to the development of Chlamydia within a cell and how it causes disease, ultimately providing targets for drug-vaccine design. This project will also design and evaluate epidemic control strategies to inform policy makers for reducing the incidence and prevalence of sexually transmitted infections. These applications are addressed by developing mathematical models, biophysical theory, and statistical analyses.
Investigatin The Causes Of Failed Efferocytosis In COPD-emphysema With A View To Identifying Novel Theraputic Targets
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$380,558.00
Summary
COPD is a leading cause of death. Smoking is the major cause of COPD and many sufferers are left with permanent damage and need ongoing treatment even after smoking cessation. Current treatments for COPD generally have limited efficacy. The project will identify the reason for the large number of dying cells and defective clearance of these cells that we have identified in the airways in COPD and study novel treatments that we hope will improve the health and well being of those with COPD.
Non-invasive Assessment Of Vascular Health In Maternal-fetal And Other Susceptible Populations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$402,679.00
Summary
The research in this application focuses on the development and refinement of non-invasive techniques for assessing subclinical atherosclerosis, and cross-disciplinary application of these techniques to identify cardiovascular risk factors and ‘at-risk’ individuals. Emerging and poorly understood risk factors of public health importance are a priority, and include: * Maternal-fetal health * Obesity * Indigenous health