Role Of Maternal Dietary Omega3 Fatty Acids In Modulation Of Allergen-specific T Cell Responses In The Offspring
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$287,036.00
Summary
Environmental lifestyle changes are implicated in the concerning increase in allergic diseases such as asthma and allergic diseases over the 25 years. Despite the enormous personal, social and economic cost, the exact causes are not clear. Diet is one of the most important yet unstudied environmental exposures linked to the recent increase in both asthma and allergic disease. Authorities in this area have recommended diet as research priority in the search for allergy prevention strategies. Alle ....Environmental lifestyle changes are implicated in the concerning increase in allergic diseases such as asthma and allergic diseases over the 25 years. Despite the enormous personal, social and economic cost, the exact causes are not clear. Diet is one of the most important yet unstudied environmental exposures linked to the recent increase in both asthma and allergic disease. Authorities in this area have recommended diet as research priority in the search for allergy prevention strategies. Allergic diseases result from inappropriate inflammatory immune responses to protein substances such as dust mite (allergens), and it now evident that these patterns of immune responses are commonly initiated before birth. This study will address the influence of maternal diet in pregnancy on the developing human immune system, and how it contributes to the development of allergic immune responses in offspring. One of the most significant dietary changes associated with increasing urbanisation is the increasing intake of pro-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids (which may promote allergic immune responses) and declining dietary levels of omega-3 fatty acids (which inhibit inflammatory immune responses). Omega-3 fatty acids have beneficial effects in many inflammatory diseases, and are important for healthy pregnancy. It is possible that maternal diets which are becoming increasingly deficient in omega-3 fatty acids may prime the fetus to respond more readily to allergens, and increase the risk of later allergic responses. This study will determine whether increasing dietary omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy using fish oil supplements, can alter immune responses to house dust mite and other allergens at birth and later infancy. The findings will contribute to our understanding of the relationship between antenatal nutrition and immune development and may lead to dietary recommendations as a cost effective, non invasive strategy to help prevent allergic disease.Read moreRead less
Identifying And Preventing Inflammation-induced Brain Injury In Preterm Infants
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$338,652.00
Summary
Exposure to infection/inflammation around the time of birth is one of the most common factors associated with long-term disability. There is no effective treatment. My studies will use world-class techniques for measuring brain structure and function to improve our understanding of how infection/inflammation impacts on development of the preterm brain and determine whether blocking key inflammatory pathways in the brain will help restore normal brain growth and development in preterm infants.
Predictive And Prognostic Factors From The Tumour Microenvironment In Breast Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$68,378.00
Summary
While most of the current treatments available are directed against cancerous tumour cells, there is increasing evidence that other factors within the tumour mass (or tumour microenvironment) may have an impact on prognosis. These factors include the lack of tissue oxygen and the immune response mounted by the body against the tumour cells. The impact of these factors on prognosis and their association with microRNAs (small RNA fragments which control protein production) will be investigated.
Waxing And Waning Of Asthma During Transition From The Teens To Adulthood: Identification Of Immunophenotypic Markers To Predict Disease Trajectory And Guide Development Of Treatment Strategies To Prevent Progression To Chronicity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$736,166.00
Summary
The project will seek to identify biomarkers in teenage/young adult asthmatics that can distinguish between those who are "growing out" of the disease, versus those who are progressing towards chronic severe asthma. This knowledge will inform the development of more effective treatment programs for this age group.
Lung Injury Following Resuscitation In Immature Lambs
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$227,036.00
Summary
The primary aim of this project is to identify techniques for resuscitating premature babies that cause little or no damage to their lungs. We also want to identify factors that enhance the clearance of liquid from the lungs so air can easily enter to deliver oxygen and remove carbon dioxide at birth. About 1% of babies are born very prematurely and many develop respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). This is the major cause of illness and death in infants born at less than 32 weeks' gestation. Mos ....The primary aim of this project is to identify techniques for resuscitating premature babies that cause little or no damage to their lungs. We also want to identify factors that enhance the clearance of liquid from the lungs so air can easily enter to deliver oxygen and remove carbon dioxide at birth. About 1% of babies are born very prematurely and many develop respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). This is the major cause of illness and death in infants born at less than 32 weeks' gestation. Most of the survivors required assisted ventilation during their first weeks of life. In 1995, 2381 premature infants were ventilated in Australia and New Zealand, requiring 36,407 days of ventilator care. Thus, this is a serious condition with a high financial and social cost. It is known that RDS is caused by damage to the very immature lung which starts an inflammatory reaction. We don't know what triggers the damage and inflammation but believe that the way babies are resuscitated may damage the lungs. Currently, babies are resuscitated with a resuscitation bag squeezed by hand, with 100% oxygen. There is no pressure to stop the lungs collapsing during expiration. As the volume of gas delivered with each breath is not measured, it is possible that the volumes are too large and damage the lungs. This project will investigate whether less damage occurs to the lungs of preterm lambs when resuscitation uses a modern neonatal ventilator where each inflation is limited to a known volume. A small distending pressure will be used to stop the lungs collapsing during expiration. We will also investigate factors that enhance the clearance of liquid from the lungs after the initiation of breathing. The failure to clear lung liquid greatly limits the ability of babies to breathe and exposes those parts of the lung that are cleared to a much greater risk of injury. The results of this study will be directly applicable to the treatment and care of prematurely born babies.Read moreRead less
Development Of Prognostic And Predictive Biomarkers To Aid Treatment Of Lung Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$188,226.00
Summary
Although a number of new therapies are emerging in the treatment of lung cancer, chemotherapy remains the backbone of treatment for most patients. Currently we are unable to predict who will benefit from chemotherapy with some patients deriving no benefit but experiencing significant toxicity. Our group has investigated a number of biomarkers and found them to predict response to chemotherapy. These markers may be used to determine patients most likely to derive benefit from chemotherapy.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a condition which causes inflammation in many different organs and can lead to significant suffering and death. Glucocorticoids (GC) are very good at controlling inflammation, however they have severe side effects such as diabetes and bone thinning, and cannot be used long term. This project aims to investigate a protein “GILZ” in patients with SLE. GILZ may have similar anti-inflammatory effects to GC but may not be associated with the same side effects.