Molecular Genetic Risk Factors And Mechanisms In Blinding Eye Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,010.00
Summary
This project aims to understand the genetic causes of blinding eye diseases. We have recently identified genetic variation that contributes to the risk of glaucoma and diabetic eye disease. We are exploring the mechanisms through which this leads to disease by looking at differences in the genes in patients with disease compared to unaffected individuals. We hope to be able to identify genes that could be the target of new therapies to prevent blindness and visual impairment in the community.
Targeting Mechanisms That Promote Cancer Cell Survival: Genetic And Chemical Approaches To Unravel The Molecular Mechanisms That Drive Tumour Formation, Develop Novel Molecular And Chemical Probes, And Discover New Therapeutics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$751,854.00
Summary
One in three of us are likely to die from cancers. Groundbreaking research, including those made by Prof Huang, has revealed some of the reasons why cancers arise. An attractive way to transform the poor outcomes for cancer patients is to develop better medicines based on findings made by the basic researchers. Prof Huang leads a team at WEHI, including chemists, focused on developing better drugs that exploit knowledge garnered through such basic research in order to improve cancer treatment.
Comparative And Functional Genomics Of Human Bacterial Pathogens
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$601,484.00
Summary
Bacteria have evolved different ways of causing disease in humans. Some bacteria produce toxins that attack the host or they have developed ways to persist in the host by evading immune responses and resisting antibiotics. This project is concerned with understanding how these processes occur and developing preventative strategies for two important groups of bacteria that cause disease in humans, including the bacteria that cause TB and the devastating skin disease Buruli ulcer, and the hospital ....Bacteria have evolved different ways of causing disease in humans. Some bacteria produce toxins that attack the host or they have developed ways to persist in the host by evading immune responses and resisting antibiotics. This project is concerned with understanding how these processes occur and developing preventative strategies for two important groups of bacteria that cause disease in humans, including the bacteria that cause TB and the devastating skin disease Buruli ulcer, and the hospital superbug "Golden Staph".Read moreRead less
Understanding The Kidney: From Morphogenesis To Regeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$850,346.00
Summary
In Australia, 11.3% of deaths are associated with chronic kidney disease with >$1 billion per annum spent on treating this condition. Kidney function throughout life depends upon what happened during your foetal development as all the functional units of the kidney are made prior to birth. In this project, we will use our understanding of normal kidney development to develop new regenerative approaches to the treatment of this condition.
Dissecting Human B-cell Function: From Primary Immunodeficiencies To Chronic Inflammatory Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,370.00
Summary
Despite knowing a lot about immunity in a mice, functional analysis of the human immune system has been a major challenge. I will study defects of immune cells in humans with gene mutations that cause an antibody deficiency. With new insights from these unique clinical samples, I will functionally dissect human immune responses, directly translate these to chronic inflammatory disease, and provide implications for future vaccine development and cancer treatment.
Prof Khachigian is a vascular cell and molecular biologist elucidating fundamental transcriptional mechanisms that lead to the inappropriate expression of harmful genes in vascular cells. Exploiting this science, I am also a “translational” researcher who has pioneered the development of novel strategies targeting key regulatory genes to combat angiogenesis-dependent cancers, and potentially other common vascular disorders such as post-angioplasty restenosis, bypass graft stenosis, ocular neovas ....Prof Khachigian is a vascular cell and molecular biologist elucidating fundamental transcriptional mechanisms that lead to the inappropriate expression of harmful genes in vascular cells. Exploiting this science, I am also a “translational” researcher who has pioneered the development of novel strategies targeting key regulatory genes to combat angiogenesis-dependent cancers, and potentially other common vascular disorders such as post-angioplasty restenosis, bypass graft stenosis, ocular neovascularisation and rheumatoid arthritis.Read moreRead less
Immunological Diseases: Understanding Their Cause And Improving Their Treatment By Human Genome Sequencing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$788,486.00
Summary
Prof Goodnow will develop a collaborative consortium of specialist physicians, laboratory researchers and bioinformaticians. This team will apply the new tools of large scale DNA sequencing to reveal the root cause of immune system diseases including: autoimmune diseases, congenital immune deficiency diseases, allergic disorders, and cancer. It aims to accelerate, simplify and unify the diagnosis of these diseases, and guide targeted, earlier and more effective treatment.
This research proposal outlines studies aimed at identifying specific biomarkers of neurodegeneration. Given the complexity and clinical overlap of these disorders the identification of diagnostic biomarkers for their early detection is crucial; especially in the identification of at-risk individuals before the development of symptoms. This will allow early intervention with disease-modifying medications which by arresting neuronal loss would prevent or delay onset of the disease.
Molecular Approaches To Cardiac Development, Disease And Regeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$863,910.00
Summary
Prof Harvey’s work explores the molecular and cellular networks that underpin heart development in the embryo and heart regeneration in the adult, and how these networks unravel in heart disease. Based on this knowledge, his work seeks to develop novel approaches for alleviating suffering in babies with congenital heart defects and adults enduring the devastating consequences of heart attack or heart failure.
Nigel G Laing, NH&MRC Principal Research Fellowship: Neurogenetics – Gene Discovery, Pathobiology, Novel Therapeutics, Novel Diagnostics And Translation.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$880,454.00
Summary
My Fellowship will expand my work identifying diseases genes for genetic muscle and nerve diseases by using new technologies that allow discovery of human disease genes which could not be found before. In addition, since we now have proof from mouse studies that heart actin is a target for therapy for the group of diseases that we discovered caused by mutations in the muscle actin protein, we shall take further steps towards making this therapy a reality for patients.