Galectin-3 And Phagocyte Function In Severe Asthma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$698,084.00
Summary
Asthma, a major chronic inflammatory disease affects more than 2 million Australians. Neutrophilic severe asthma is not responsive to current therapies. We have recently made a significant advance in understanding neutrophilic asthma, reporting low levels of a protein called galectin-3 (gal-3). In this project we will explore the role of gal-3 its effect on the resolution of inflammation. This study will result significantly advance the knowledge of the mechanisms of neutrophilic severe asthma.
Studies On The Effects Of Endogenous And Exogenous Opioids In Modulating Exercise-induced Dyspnoea In People With Moderate / Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Two Double-blind Randomised, Placebo Controlled Trials.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$197,086.00
Summary
There is evidence that morphine-like chemicals made by the body itself help reduce breathlessness. It is not clear whether this response is because of the effects of these morphine-like chemicals on the brain, in the lung or both. This study will help understand where these chemicals act to reduce breathlessness in people with emphysema during exercise. Subsequently, it will also help to understand whether small, regular doses of morphine safely further reduce breathlessness during exercise.
An Integrated Health-sector Strategy To Combat COPD And Asthma In Vietnam: A Pragmatic Stepped Intervention Cluster Randomized Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,894,349.00
Summary
Chronic lung diseases are a major challenge for resource limited settings. In Vietnam, where smoking rates in males are around 50%, there is an urgent need for better strategies to prevent and treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. We will perform a study of a low-cost integrated intervention including a health-system based smoking cessation program and the targeted use of proven therapy for COPD and asthma - inhaled corticosteroids - to reduce the burden of lung disease.
Translating Respiratory And Environmental Epidemiology Into Improved Lung Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$319,714.00
Summary
Chronic respiratory disease, tuberculosis and the effects of air pollution are important health problems globally. Evaluating current approaches to dealing with these problems and developing new approaches requires good data. Over the next five years I will lead a number of studies addressing these issues, in Australia and internationally, in order to provided the strongest possible evidence to underpin policy.
FUNCTIONAL IMAGING OF THE BRAINSTEM AND CORTICAL SITES OF BLOOD PRESSURE CONTROL IN HUMAN SUBJECTS IN HEALTH AND DISEASE
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$398,498.00
Summary
Disturbances in cardiovascular control underpin many diseases yet little is known about how the brain controls the heart and blood vessels. This project uses brain imaging (fMRI) and concurrent nerve recording in awake human subjects to increase our understanding of how normal blood pressure is maintained and how different disease states influence this control.
A Novel Macrophage Lineage In Inflammation And Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$772,857.00
Summary
Macrophages are an important haematopoietic cell type that has been implicated in inflammatory and cancerous diseases. In our preliminary work we have discovered a new macrophage subset, termed the perivascular macrophage, in breast cancer. The aim of this proposal is to investigate the origin of these cells, and the role they play in breast cancer. This will tell us how we might be able to manipulate the functions of these cells in order to curtail breast cancer progression.
Gene Expression Biomarkers Predict Severe Asthma Inflammatory Phenotype, Activation Mechanisms And Treatment Response
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$465,627.00
Summary
Asthma is now recognised to be made up of several disease variants or phenotypes, which are likely to have different underlying causes and mechanisms. We lack understanding of how to identify phenotypes of asthma and how they work, and this is delaying research that will lead to improvements in treatments and patient care. This is particularly important in people with severe disease. This grant will establish a gene test to identify asthma phenotype, and further understand mechanisms and treatme ....Asthma is now recognised to be made up of several disease variants or phenotypes, which are likely to have different underlying causes and mechanisms. We lack understanding of how to identify phenotypes of asthma and how they work, and this is delaying research that will lead to improvements in treatments and patient care. This is particularly important in people with severe disease. This grant will establish a gene test to identify asthma phenotype, and further understand mechanisms and treatment responses.Read moreRead less
Intravascular Leukocyte Trafficking During Thromboinflammation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$668,742.00
Summary
Unblocking blood vessels to treat heart attack and stroke can unfortunately cause a paradoxical worsening of organ damage, due to increased inflammation upon blood flow restoration. We have identified a novel way in which this side-effect is regulated by the small blood clotting cells platelets, and the protein fibrin. We will investigate ways to reduce the pro-inflammatory role for platelets, and define safer clot busting treatments.
National Clinical Centre Of Research Excellence In Severe Asthma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,597,952.00
Summary
Severe Asthma remains a large burden for the Australian community. It does not respond to current management approaches. We will develop and implement a targetted therapy approach to severe asthma that will involve assessment of needs of people with severe asthma, community burden form severe asthma, biomarkers and linked treatment strategies, as well as knowledge transfer tools and training of the health and medical workforce.
Inflammatory Mediators Of Liver Injury In Chronic Hepatitis C
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$349,336.00
Summary
Presently, liver disease from chronic hepatitis C and obesity represents a major health problem. Overall, approximately 50% of Australians with chronic hepatitis C are obese and these patients are at significantly increased risk of rapidly progressing to liver failure. It is now recognized that fat derived factors play an important role in regulating inflammatory responses. This grant proposal aims to gain insight into how liver and fat derived inflammatory factors interact to promote increased ....Presently, liver disease from chronic hepatitis C and obesity represents a major health problem. Overall, approximately 50% of Australians with chronic hepatitis C are obese and these patients are at significantly increased risk of rapidly progressing to liver failure. It is now recognized that fat derived factors play an important role in regulating inflammatory responses. This grant proposal aims to gain insight into how liver and fat derived inflammatory factors interact to promote increased liver damage in chronic hepatitis C and obesity.Read moreRead less