Interaction Between Estrogen And The Renin-angiotensin System In The Regulation Of Arterial Pressure
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$638,525.00
Summary
Women before menopause are protected from cardiovascular disease. Estrogen is thought to provide this protection. Yet post-menopause estrogen replacement has not always proven beneficial. We are investigating the idea that estrogen within a narrow window modulates the hormone angiotensin (a major regulator of blood pressure) to lower blood presssure but outside this range (higher or lower) the benefits are lost.
Molecular Mechanisms Underlying The Positive Associations Between Male Gender And Leptin With Barretts Oesophagus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$387,489.00
Summary
Barrett's oesophagus is a disease of the gullet that can lead to the development of oesophageal cancer, which has a very poor outcome. We have shown that the risk of Barrett's oesophagus is greatest in obese males with a high blood level of leptin, a hormone made in fat tissue. The aim of this study is to examine how leptin causes this increased cancer risk, so that new treatments or tests for Barrett's and oesophageal cancer can be developed.
LKB1 - The Link Between Obesity And Breast Cancer In Postmenopausal Women
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$292,216.00
Summary
Obesity is a worldwide epidemic affecting 60% of Australians and is linked to many diseases including breast cancer. Changes in sex hormone levels during menopause may cause these diseases. The focus of this proposal is to determine the role of the sex hormones to regulate a protein (LKB1) involved in both fat metabolism and cancer. This research will benefit the ageing population by making a contribution toward generating therapeutics to combat obesity and breast cancer.
Do Sex Hormones Slow Biological Ageing To Improve Health Outcomes In Men?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$249,569.00
Summary
As the Australian population ages their burden of ill-health increases. Our earlier research showed that higher sex hormone levels are associated with better health outcomes in older men. In this project, we will address the question whether exposure to higher sex hormone levels slows biological ageing in men, reflected in the presence of longer chromosomal ends called telomeres. If so, interventions that raise hormone levels could be tested to preserve health in ageing men.
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.