Interrogation Of Two Novel Genetic Susceptibility Loci For Multiple Sclerosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$840,615.00
Summary
This proposal, from the Australia and New Zealand multiple sclerosis (MS) Genetics Consortium, aims to interrogate two new genes that it recently identified as predisposing for the development of MS. Both of the genes underlying these findings are also associated with risk of developing other autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and Graves' disease.
Climate Change And Rural Communities: Integrated Study Of Physical And Social Impacts, Health Risks And Adaptive Options
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$611,599.00
Summary
Rural Australia has begun to experience climate change impacts - which will increase in future. Losses in farm yields, water supplies, property, community morale and family incomes have diverse health effects. We will study the separate and joint effects of climate change and associated extreme events (e.g., bushfires) on selected health outcomes. Using integrative methods, we will clarify the main influences on health risks, their future projections, and how best to intervene to lessen risks.
Macrophage-regulated Tissue Remodelling In Endometrial Receptivity For Embryo Implantation And Pregnancy Success
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$456,779.00
Summary
Infertility and recurrent miscarriage affect 60-80 million couples globally, including 15% of couples in Australia. Moreover, 1 in 6 pregnancies is affected by pre-eclampsia, low birth weight or preterm labour. Infertility and other pathologies in pregnancy often result from failure of the maternal tissues to adequately support embryo implantation and development of the placenta, leading to insufficient nutritional support of the developing fetus. We have discovered in mice that disruption in th ....Infertility and recurrent miscarriage affect 60-80 million couples globally, including 15% of couples in Australia. Moreover, 1 in 6 pregnancies is affected by pre-eclampsia, low birth weight or preterm labour. Infertility and other pathologies in pregnancy often result from failure of the maternal tissues to adequately support embryo implantation and development of the placenta, leading to insufficient nutritional support of the developing fetus. We have discovered in mice that disruption in the populations of immune cells called macrophages within the uterine endometrial lining can reduce the receptivity of the endometrum to embryo implantation, and can lead to fetal growth retardation and impaired health after birth. The purpose of this project is to delineate the precise functions of macrophages in interacting with other cells in the endometrium to facilitate attachment of the embryo, its invasion into maternal tissues, and its access to an adequate blood supply as the placenta develops during early pregnancy. We will employ state of the art experimental strategies including genetic models to deplete endometrial macrophage populations in mice, and will then study the implications for changes in endometrial tissue structure and function. Furthermore we will investigate the long term consequences of early macrophage perturbations for the fetus and neonate after birth. This study will improve our understanding of how determinants of macrophage function such as infection and inflammatory conditions, male factors, nutrition and stress can impair fertility and compromise optimal pregnancy outcome in humans.Read moreRead less
Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disorder leading to tooth loosening and, if untreated, tooth loss. Once bone destruction has occurred around teeth the treatment outcomes are severely compromised and are mainly focussed towards slowing the process of destruction rather than repairing the damage. Over the last decade, treatment of advanced periodontal disease has focussed on ways in which the damaged tissues may be regenerated. We now have gained considerable insight into the molecular and ....Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disorder leading to tooth loosening and, if untreated, tooth loss. Once bone destruction has occurred around teeth the treatment outcomes are severely compromised and are mainly focussed towards slowing the process of destruction rather than repairing the damage. Over the last decade, treatment of advanced periodontal disease has focussed on ways in which the damaged tissues may be regenerated. We now have gained considerable insight into the molecular and cellular events associated with periodontal regeneration. Despite efforts to induce regeneration through the selective use of growth and differentiation factors it is becoming obvious that the most significant factor in successful clinical outcomes is the recruitment of special cells to the site of damage which have the potential to repair tissue damage. Thus, we intend to engineer different types of periodontal matrices in the laboratory and then transplant these newly formed tissues into sites affected by periodontal disease in an attempt to repair the damage caused by the disease process.Read moreRead less
SIGN Receptors And The Antiinflammatory Activity Of Sialylated IgG Fcs
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Summary
IgG antibodies are a crucial component of the immune system, and significantly contribute to host protection against cancer and infectious diseases. Additionally, therapeutic IgG antibodies have been developed for treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases. The studies proposed herein will elucidate one important aspect of how IgG antibodies act as anti-inflammatory agents, and may lead to the design of more effective IgG based therapies for the treatment of inflammatory diseases or cancer.