Neurobiology Of Schizophrenia And Translation Into New Treatments
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$763,845.00
Summary
We need to discover novel pharmacological therapies that operate on pathways beyond DAD2R, that will be more effective and have fewer side effects. To identify such agents, we need a better understanding of the biological basis of schizophrenia.
Disorders of sex development (DSDs) are surprisingly common, and often result in infertility, genital abnormalities, gender mis-assignment and long-term psychological trauma. This research combines expertise in human molecular genetics, mouse developmental biology and protein chemistry to identify genes important for sex determination and development of the gonads, and discover how they contribute to DSD, in order to improve clinical care to patients with DSD.
Whether we are born as a male or a female affects our sense of social place, behaviour, gender identity, reproductive options, and disease susceptibility. I am a molecular geneticist investigating the biology of gender. I study the mechanisms underpinning sexual development, with an emphasis on identifying the genetic causes of ‘intersex’ and transsex disorders. I am also studying how SRY, a male gene, controls voluntary movement, and its possible link to Parkinson’s disease.
Disorders Of Gonadal Development: Molecular Approaches To Improved Patient Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$863,413.00
Summary
We will use new genomic technologies to identify the genetic causes of disorders of sex development (DSD), a common and often distressing class of birth defect. Knowing the molecular lesion will take the guesswork out of diagnosis and treatment of DSD children. We will also exploit a new discovery to develop new means of rapid, cost-effective, non-invasive diagnosis and therapy for testicular cancer, the commonest form of cancer in men under 30.
Targeting Prevention And Treatment Of Hypertensive Cardiovascular Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$774,540.00
Summary
Hypertension, high blood pressure, is a major global health burden. It contributes to heart disease, stroke and kidney failure, and as such is a major cause of premature death worldwide. Advances in the treatment of hypertension has meant that more people are living with disabilities associated with cardiovascular disease. Our work focuses on identifying new treatments to prevent the devastating effects of hypertension on organ function to improve quality of life in men and women.
Neurodevelopmental Mechanisms And Early Intervention In Psychiatric Illness
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$652,765.00
Summary
Schizophrenia and depression are devastating mental illnesses and a huge burden to society. Drug treatments can be beneficial, but many patients are either treatment-resistant or show severe side-effects. There is an urgent need for truly novel treatment strategies which should ideally prevent symptoms. The main aim of this project is to elucidate brain mechanisms involved in schizophrenia and depression development to inform clinical research about improved preventative treatment strategies.