Trafficking Mechanisms Governing Receptor Availability For Signalling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$526,978.00
Summary
Receptors on the cell surface allow cells to respond to their environment. We have recently discovered a new pathway for controlling the amount of receptors displayed on the cell surface, errors within which will lead to defects in development and diseases like cancer. We are studying how this new pathway controls the balance between how much receptors are destroyed after being activated and how much are recycled back for re-use.
Identification Of The Conformation Dependant Targets Of Autoimmune Disease Linked Variation In Human Regulatory T Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,001,815.00
Summary
Specialised immune cells called regulatory T cells act as the policemen of the immune system, preventing the immune system attacking itself, but still fighting infections. If these cells do not work properly, autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes or IBD can arise, because of immune attack on normal body tissue by mistake. In order to explain how this goes wrong we need to carefully identify all of the gene interactions in these cells including interactions over long distances in the DNA.
Clinical Outcomes, Safety And Incremental Cost Effectiveness Of Multi-level Airway Surgery In Patients With Moderate-severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) Who Have Failed Medical Management
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$652,794.00
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a serious medical disorder with a high public health cost. OSA can be effectively treated but poor treatment compliance is a major clinical problem. As a consequence many OSA patients remain untreated, with significant implications for their long term health. New effective and safe therapies are needed. We believe that we will demonstrate a relatively straightforward, safe and effective surgical procedure for OSA after primary treatments fail. This will lead to ....Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a serious medical disorder with a high public health cost. OSA can be effectively treated but poor treatment compliance is a major clinical problem. As a consequence many OSA patients remain untreated, with significant implications for their long term health. New effective and safe therapies are needed. We believe that we will demonstrate a relatively straightforward, safe and effective surgical procedure for OSA after primary treatments fail. This will lead to improved patient outcomes.Read moreRead less
Preclinical Evaluation Of The Novel Therapeutic Compound APP96-110 In An Ovine Model Of Traumatic Brain Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$874,734.00
Summary
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant cause of death and disability, and yet there are currently no effective treatments to improve outcome following such an insult. Our laboratory has developed a novel therapeutic compound, by identifying an endogenous neuroprotective molecule, in the amyloid precursor protein and then identifying the active site and modifying it to improve its efficacy. We will be testing this compound in our sheep model of TBI.
Is Abdominal Discomfort A “colonic Itch”? Identification Of Itch Specific Pathways In The Gut In Health And Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$906,996.00
Summary
Chronic abdominal pain is a major worldwide problem. TGR5 and Mrgpr receptors are expressed by neuronal pathways innervating the skin, where they detect irritants and transmit itch. Our novel, innovative project shows a similar pathway exists within the viscera, which plays a major and unappreciated role in chronic abdominal pain. These receptors represent novel targets for therapeutic treatment, potentially creating multibillion-dollar savings to the Australian economy and healthcare systems.
GABA(B) Receptor Modulation Of Gastrointestinal Function In Health And Disease By Alpha-Conotoxins
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$689,050.00
Summary
Chronic visceral pain is a common and debilitating condition arising from numerous diseases that affect our internal organs. There is a desperate need for more information about the mechanisms responsible for signalling chronic visceral pain to provide therapies and potentially find a cure for it. Our research focuses on ?-conotoxins (small peptides from marine cone snail venom) as novel potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of chronic visceral pain.