The Effect Of Aging And Mitochondria Dysfunction On Optic Nerve Response To Oxidative Stress In Glaucoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$100,381.00
Summary
Glaucoma is a disease of the nerve cells in the retina and optic nerve of the eye, it is the second most common cause of blindness worldwide. The risk of developing glaucoma increases exponentially with age but the mechanisms that predispose older individuals to glaucoma are not known. This study examines whether age-related changes in mitochondria, a characteristic finding in aging, results in increase susceptibility to glaucoma development.
An Investigation Into Pathogen-specific Factors Required For Drug-resistance And Viability Of Candida Albicans
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$337,614.00
Summary
We identified proteins required for growth and drug resistance of the fungus Candida albicans, a major hospital-acquired human pathogen. Candida infections target the immunocompromised and mortality is huge (?30-50%). We will use cell biology, genetics and biochemistry to characterise these proteins. Importantly, these factors are present in fungi, but absent from humans. Therefore our study will help development of new strategies for antifungal treatments.
Targeting The Mitochondrial Transcriptome To Treat Mitochondrial Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$456,836.00
Summary
Mitochondrial diseases are a diverse group of progressive and debilitating disorders for which there are no effective treatments. Furthermore it is currently impossible to apply gene therapy or RNA interference approaches to understand how mitochondria function or to treat mitochondrial diseases. We are developing a new technology that makes it possible to rationally manipulate mammalian mitochondrial RNAs for the first time, providing a unique approach for mitochondrial disease therapies.
The Role Of Mitochondrial Dysfunction In Metabolic Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$61,383.00
Summary
We have previously found that PTCD1 can regulate mitochondrial gene expression and metabolism in cells (Mercer et al., 2011 and Lopez Sanchez et al., 2011). There is still much to learn about the mitochondria and their DNA. Charactering PTCD1, a protein that has previously seen little research, will enable us to elucidate the role of this protein in mitochondria and energy metabolism in an effort to increase understanding of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Oxidative Phosphorylation Regulation And Neuroprotection In Optic Neuropathies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$430,231.00
Summary
We have shown clear differences in the mitochodria, cellular organelles that generate energy, between optic atrophy patients who have good vision and those of patients who have poor vision. We believe that these changes represent a compensation mechanisms that preserves mitochondrial energy production and protects optic nerve cells. This study will characterize these differences further with the aim of identfying new treatments for preventing nerve loss and preserving vision.
Neurologic Effects Of Mutational Load In MELAS Syndrome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$505,786.00
Summary
This project will use a new stem cell model to discover what happens to brain cells in patients with the MELAS 3243A>G mutation, a common genetic mutation found in 1-500 Australians. Brain cells will be grown from our stem cell model and used to find out how this mutation causes problems in the affected brain cells. We will find out what happens to the brain when the amount of mutation is reduced in vitro. By understanding what happens, we will be able to design new treatments for this disord ....This project will use a new stem cell model to discover what happens to brain cells in patients with the MELAS 3243A>G mutation, a common genetic mutation found in 1-500 Australians. Brain cells will be grown from our stem cell model and used to find out how this mutation causes problems in the affected brain cells. We will find out what happens to the brain when the amount of mutation is reduced in vitro. By understanding what happens, we will be able to design new treatments for this disorder.Read moreRead less