An Integrated Approach To Identify The Molecular Mechanisms Contributing To The Pathogenesis Of Insulin Resistance: Targeting The Liver And Skeletal Muscle
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,218.00
Summary
The inability of muscle and liver to utilise sugar from the blood is a major problem that contributes to the development of obesity and diabetes. How these problems occur is unknown. The goal of my research is to identify what causes the muscle and liver problem, and whether fixing these problems will reduce obesity and diabetes. Since the number of people with obesity and diabetes is predicted to double over the next decade, we need to understand the cause of these diseases.
Understanding The Metabolic Consequences Of Impaired AMPKa2 And NNOS� In Skeletal Muscle: Implications For The Metabolic Syndrome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$575,527.00
Summary
The inability of muscle to utilise sugar from the blood is a major problem that contributes to obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Since the number of people with these diseases will at least double by 2030, we need to find out what causes this problem. We will examine whether two muscle proteins that are impaired in obesity and Type 2 diabetes are also responsible for impaired sugar utilisation. We think that increasing these muscle proteins will fix the _sugar problem�, and remedy these diseases.
Cytokine Signalling And Insulin Resistance In Obesity.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$512,065.00
Summary
Western communities are experiencing an epidemic of obesity that is contributing to diabetes, heart disease, and premature death. This project is investigating why being overweight and obese causes diabetes. Improved understanding about how hormones regulates the body's storage and breakdown of fat and responsiveness to insulin will enable the development of new medicines for the treatment of obesity and the prevention of diabetes.
Effects Of Replacement And Withdrawal Of Testosterone In Human Males On Muscle, Bone And Fat
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$156,682.00
Summary
Male sex hormone or androgen deficiency (AD) is a common, but under-diagnosed condition. AD decreases well being and contributes to muscle weakness, bone fragility and weight gain. Cutting edge technology will be used to help explain how AD may relate to these negative effects, particularly on muscle function. Given the importance of aging, frailty, osteoporosis and obesity, understanding the role of hormones in these conditions may have major implications for prevention and treatment.
Rapid functional analysis of genes involved in skeletal development. Abnormalities of the skeleton are of enormous clinical significance in terms of both number of individuals affected and the cost of treatment. Data derived from this project will underpin targeted research on the mechanisms of inherited and common diseases of cartilage and bone, yielding novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets. In addition, the improved knowledge of cartilage and bone cell development will inform new approache ....Rapid functional analysis of genes involved in skeletal development. Abnormalities of the skeleton are of enormous clinical significance in terms of both number of individuals affected and the cost of treatment. Data derived from this project will underpin targeted research on the mechanisms of inherited and common diseases of cartilage and bone, yielding novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets. In addition, the improved knowledge of cartilage and bone cell development will inform new approaches for developing stem cell therapies and the production of novel biomaterials for the repair of bones and joints. The outcomes of this study will therefore benefit the full spectrum of society from infants to the aged.Read moreRead less
Using mouse genetics to understand skin development and cell biology. During embryonic development the skin forms a protective barrier which permits life outside the womb and provides a window into the biology of cells. This project aims to use the skin to identify and characterise genes necessary for embryonic development and maintenance, the development of diseases and to explore their broader roles in other organs.
The Calcium Channel TRPV4 In Skeletal Development And Arthritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$683,069.00
Summary
We have discovered that mutations in a calcium channel gene, TRPV4, cause an inherited osteoarthritis in the hands and feet. This work suggests that TRPV4 may be important in osteoarthritis and suggests the exciting possibility that modulating TRPV4 activity may provide a new therapeutic approach for arthritis. We will study how and why the mutations disrupt channel function and study mouse models to see if they are more or less susceptible to arthritis.
Exploring The Therapeutic Potential Of TRAIL In Diabetes And The Metabolic Syndrome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$446,374.00
Summary
TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a protein with potentially useful actions in human health and disease. TRAIL is able to prevent atherosclerosis, the cause of heart attacks and strokes. In addition, we have recently shown that its actions on fat and the pancreas may prevent the development of the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. These studies will explore the therapeutic potential of TRAIL for the prevention of diabetes and heart disease in a range of animal models.
Angiogenic defects in mutant growth plate cartilage reveal new modulators of vascular invasion. Converting cartilage to bone requires blood vessel invasion from the bony interface. This project will test, in vitro and in vivo, the hypothesis that collagen fragments regulate blood vessel invasion into cartilage. This data will have implications for processes requiring new blood vessels such as bone growth, cancer, inflammation and ischemia.