Computational Analysis Of The Influence Of Growth Cone Shape Dynamics On Axon Guidance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$346,406.00
Summary
For the brain to function correctly its neurons must be connected correctly. This project will use a novel mathematical approach to understand how growing nerve fibres find where to go in the developing brain. In particular we will use both experiments and computational analysis to understand how the shape of the tip of a growing nerve fibre helps the fibre navigate. This may help us understand the biological cause of many different types of mental disorders.
Defintion Of Dystrophin Functional Domains According To Exon Boundaries To Optimise Splice Switching Therapies For DMD
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$520,765.00
Summary
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a relentlessly progressive muscle wasting disorder, with a predictable outcome and no effective treatment. Splice manipulation has the potential to reduce the severity of the disease, improve the quality of life for patients and reduce health care costs. The definition of dystrophin functional domains according to exon boundaries will allow the most effective treatment strategies for each mutation to be developed.
Lipid Rafts, Amyloid Neurotoxicity And Alzheimer's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,267.00
Summary
Alzheimer's disease is the major cause of dementia in the elderly. Individuals with Alzheimer's disease exhibit a slow decline in cognition which usually results in prolonged institutionalisation. This creates an enormous burden on society. The project aims to identify mechanisms which cause Alzheimer's disease. Specifically, it will examine how a component of the brain, known as the amyloid protein, contributes to nerve cell degeneration. It is hoped that by identifying these mechanisms, new ta ....Alzheimer's disease is the major cause of dementia in the elderly. Individuals with Alzheimer's disease exhibit a slow decline in cognition which usually results in prolonged institutionalisation. This creates an enormous burden on society. The project aims to identify mechanisms which cause Alzheimer's disease. Specifically, it will examine how a component of the brain, known as the amyloid protein, contributes to nerve cell degeneration. It is hoped that by identifying these mechanisms, new targets for drug development will be found.Read moreRead less
Regulatory Mechanisms And Roles Of Calpains In Skeletal Muscle
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$439,813.00
Summary
The objectives are to understand the regulation and roles of calpains, which are proteases that break proteins in the building and repair of skeletal muscle. We will determine targets that calpains cleave and whether their location changes following activation, as well as the cellular factors regulating their activity. In addition, we will obtain information about the specific type of calpain dysfunction that occurs in particular patients with limb girdle muscular dystrophy 2A.
The Role Of Dysferlin In Muscular Dystrophy And Skeletal Muscle Membrane Repair.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$316,667.00
Summary
Patients who lack the protein dysferlin have muscular dystrophy. These patients are unable to repair their muscle membranes, which get damaged during normal activities. A defect in membrane repair is a new pathway implicated in the muscular dystrophies, and it is likely that other patients will also have defective muscle membrane repair. We will find out how dysferlin mediates its role in membrane repair, and identify other dysferlin-interacting proteins, as these may also underlie disease.