Improving Access To Safe Water Using Riverbank Filtration Technology
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,056,616.00
Summary
Diarrhoea is a leading cause of death and disease globally, most often due to unsafe water, inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene. River water is a common water source in India, but water quality is often compromised by contamination. Riverbank Filtration technology (RBF) uses natural treatment processes to improve water quality. This project will investigate the effect of improving water quality via installation of RBF systems on diarrhoea incidence in six rural Indian communities.
Achieving More Effective Weight Loss With Intermittent Energy Restriction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,373,874.00
Summary
Part of the difficulty in achieving lasting weight loss is that the body responds to dieting with compensatory changes in appetite, metabolic rate & blood hormone levels. We have shown in men that alternating phases of energy restriction with periods of greater food intake markedly improves weight loss by overcoming this “famine reaction”. This study will examine if the intermittent diet also produces more effective weight loss in women, and whether it is applicable to the wider community.
Age- And Energy-status Dependent-plasticity Of Glucose Sensing, Orexigenic NPY Neurons: The Glucose-ghrelin Balance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$578,641.00
Summary
Our research aims to identify how specific brain cells detect changes in glucose levels and how ageing and diet affect their function. We identified a subset of nerve cells that detect changes in glucose and the “hunger” hormone ghrelin, their ability to do so adapting with age and nutritional status. This project will investigate the potential of these nerve cells as targets for therapeutic and diet- intervention strategies to target obesity, diabetes and promote healthy ageing
Brain Glucose-sensing: Age- And Energy-status-dependent Plasticity Of Function-specific Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) Glucose-sensing Neurons In The Arcuate Nucleus Of The Hypothalamus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$495,071.00
Summary
Obesity and ageing predispose individuals to diabetes, the health and socio-economic implications of which posing significant challenges for Australia in the foreseeable future. Research outlined here aims to identify novel mechanisms enabling brain cells to detect changes in glucose and how ageing and diet affect the function of these nerves. We believe this research could provide novel therapeutic and early diet-based intervention strategies for diabetes and obesity.
NPY Coordination Of Energy Balance And Physical Activity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$844,596.00
Summary
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder characterized by behavioral alterations, restrictive eating leading to extremely low body weight. AN is also associated with a paradoxical hyperactivity representing a failure of the brain to adjust activity to energy status. Here we aim to investigate the role of the Neuropeptide Y (NPY), a known regulator of homeostatic control and activity in the development of hyperactivity in AN, thus help to identify NPY-targeted therapeutics for AN treatment.
Regulation Of Growth Hormone Profile By Metabolic Balance: Neuronal, Neuroendocrinal And Molecular Mechanism
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$413,257.00
Summary
Obesity is associated with a reduction in growth hormone secretion. As growth hormone maintains muscle mass at the expense of fat this may further promote the obese condition. This project will determine the physiological role of ghrelin, a hormone that signals hunger, in maintaining growth hormone secretion under normal, fasting and obese conditions. Clarification of the role of ghrelin in regulating growth hormone secretion may aid in the development of pharmacological agents to assist and mai ....Obesity is associated with a reduction in growth hormone secretion. As growth hormone maintains muscle mass at the expense of fat this may further promote the obese condition. This project will determine the physiological role of ghrelin, a hormone that signals hunger, in maintaining growth hormone secretion under normal, fasting and obese conditions. Clarification of the role of ghrelin in regulating growth hormone secretion may aid in the development of pharmacological agents to assist and maintain weight loss.Read moreRead less
The Role Of Assembly Factors In Mitochondrial Complex I Biogenesis And Their Defects In Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$608,600.00
Summary
Complex I is the first complex of the mitochondrial respiratory chain that is involved in producing most of the cell's energy. Mitochondria diseases occur ~1-5,000 live births with defects in Complex I being the most prevalent, often leading to death. Complex I defects have also been implicated in common disease including Parkinson s disease. This study will provide important new information into how Complex I is built and what goes wrong to cause disease.
Schizophrenia: Reversal Of Atypical Antipsychotic Drug-induced Obesity And Its Related Metabolic Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$619,854.00
Summary
Atypical antipsychotic drugs such as olanzapine are commonly used to treat mental illnesses such as schizophrenia. While these drugs are effective, their side effects of obesity and metabolic disorders are a major hurdle leading to a serious lack of compliance in taking medication. This project aims to develop better antipsychotic treatment with reduced side-effects including obesity and metabolic disorders for mental illness patients.
Novel Photoreceptor Bioenergetics: Basic Science And Clinical Translation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$701,088.00
Summary
In this project we will investigate how the light-sensitive cells in the eye (the photoreceptors) use energy and make special pigments that convert light to electrical signals. We will test novel treatments that enhance the energy supply of the photoreceptors in individuals with age-related macular degeneration.
Retinal Ganglion Cell Bioenergetics With Clinical Translation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$725,913.00
Summary
Glaucoma is an eye disease where elevated pressure within the eye damages the sensitive nerve of sight at the back of the eye. The only current treatment is to lower the pressure in the eye with either drops, laser or surgery. Why the pressure damages the nerve of sight is unclear but there is evidence that it results in a reduced blood flow to the nerve. This starves the nerve of nutrients. We have developed a new treatment that supplies nutrients to the nerve and protects vision.