The Physiological And Pathological Role Of The Bile Acid Receptor TGR5 And Its Potential Targeting For The Treatment Of Intestinal Motility Disorders And Visceral Pain.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$311,860.00
Summary
Defects in the secretion of bile into the intestine cause digestive diseases, and abnormal circulating levels of bile acids induce profound itch and abnormal pain sensation. This project examines whether a cell-surface receptor (TGR5) produced by intestinal and sensory neurons mediates actions of bile acids on intestinal functions and pain. The project aims to define mechanisms of digestive and sensory disorders and identify new therapies for constipation, diarrhoea, and pain.
The Role Of Estrogen-receptor Alpha (ERa) In The Pathogenesis Of Diabetes And Cardiovascular Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$374,757.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease (CVD), including heart attack and stroke, causes more deaths in Australia than any other disease. A major risk factor for CVD is diabetes, which affects more than 1 million Australians. Therefore, treating diabetes will reduce the number of people likely to die from CVD. This project aims to investigate a recently identified role for estrogen in the protection against diabetes. If successful, findings from this project may lead to new treatments against diabetes and CVD.
Preclinical Assessment Of The Potential Utility Of Oxytocin And A Novel Oxytocin Agonist For The Treatment Of Substance Use Disorders And Social Dysfunction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,891.00
Summary
Recent work has highlighted the utility of stimulating the brain oxytocin (OT) system in the treatment of numerous psychiatric disorders, in particular substance use disorders and social disorders (e.g. autism). I will focus on the continuation of two interrelated projects during my Fellowship: (1) preclinical exploration of OT as a novel treatment for alcohol use disorders; and (2) further developing our novel non-peptide OT agonist (SOC-1), which has profound pro-social effects.
Identifying The Mechanisms By Which Ascorbate Stimulates Cellular Iron Uptake From Transferrin.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$302,123.00
Summary
Vitamin C (ascorbate)-deficiency leads to anaemia and other symptoms of scurvy. Iron supplementation cannot alone correct this anaemia, with ascorbate being crucial. Almost all iron in plasma is bound to transferrin, and I have recent data showing that ascorbate stimulates transferrin-iron uptake. This research will identify how this stimulation occurs. This work has important biomedical implications for understanding iron uptake and anaemia, which affects 500 million people globally.