Novel Approaches To Nanomedicines For Future Therapies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,414,215.00
Summary
Nanomedicines have the potential to transform healthcare by targeting significant health issues such as Alzheimer’s, diabetes and Parkinson’s diseases that have mainly eluded successful therapeutic solutions. In addition, nanotechnology has the potential to significantly improve the treatment of chronic pain by repurposing analgesic medications for improved effectiveness without significant side effects. I will target these two areas of research during the next five years.
Novel Approaches To The Targeting Of GPCRs Towards Improved Treatment Of Schizophrenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,218.00
Summary
The focus of these studies are two important types of brain proteins that have been implicated in various symptoms associated with schizophrenia. The aim is to exploit two emerging paradigms of drug action at these brain proteins that will allow us to target them in a more selective manner. In particular, these studies will provide a starting point for safer, more effective treatments for schizophrenia.
A Breakdown Of Cortical Homeostasis In Depression: A Focus On The Anterior Cingulate
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$625,629.00
Summary
Major depressive disorders affect 20% of the Australian population. Some symptoms of major depressive disorders arise because of a dysfunction of the human brain, particularly the cortex. Our studies show there are biochemical changes in the anterior cingulate cortex in people with mood disorders. We will now extend our studies to show there is a breakdown in the balance between neurotransmitter and neuroinflammation pathways in the anterior cingulate cortex in major depressive disorders.
Rational Co-targeting Of G Protein-coupled Receptors As A Novel Approach Towards Treating Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$620,399.00
Summary
Schizophrenia is a common mental disorder with multiple symptoms. Current therapeutics only treat some of these symptoms. This project will focus on two important brain proteins implicated in schizophrenia. With the hypothesis that the rational targeting of these two proteins will lead to the design of more effective medicines for treatment of schizophrenia we will develop novel methods to selectively and simultaneously and target these two proteins.