Prevention Of Asthma In Young Children Via Immunostimulation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$679,683.00
Summary
Persistent asthma is a major problem for Australia yet none of the current therapies do more that control the condition. The long-term solution is to prevent asthma from progressing to the persistent form. The major risk factors are: family history, early allergy and recurrent severe lower respiratory infections (sLRI) in the early life. We will conduct a randomized clinical trial to prevent sLRI using a novel bacterial-derived immunostimulant in infants at high risk of developing asthma.
The prevalence of food allergy (FA) has risen dramatically in the last 20 years. Strong evidence suggests that undetermined lifestyle factors are central to this modern phenomenon. We will develop a CRE in Paediatric FA and Food-related Immune Disorders, providing international leadership in public health initiatives to stem the tide of FA and related disorders. We are uniquely placed to provide evidence-based guidelines that will inform public health policy and clinical care of patients.
What Are The Lifetime Clinical Predictors And Risk Factors For Multiple Phenotypes Of Adult Asthma, COPD And Sleep Disordered Breathing? Following Up The TAHS Cohort From 1st To 6th Decade
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,950,689.00
Summary
Breathing gets impaired and impact on the productivity and quality of life when chronic respiratory diseases rise with ageing. Adult chronic respiratory diseases are major causes of illness and death but there are still many gaps in knowledge on how best to prevent and manage these diseases. The proposed program will provide evidence to guide health policy and clinical management of these diseases. These original findings will be of great importance both nationally and internationally.
Viral Infection And TGFbeta Impair Glucocorticoid Activity In Epithelial Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$617,699.00
Summary
Chronic inflammatory lung diseases like asthma and smokers lung are treated with combinations of anti-inflammatory drugs. Powerful anti-inflammatory types of steroid drugs are used in more severe disease. Even these powerful drugs are sometimes not effective enough. Our work is developing an understanding of how inflammation limits the anti-inflammatory effects of steroids and we are devising ways to overcome this with new drugs. We aim to improve treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases, espe ....Chronic inflammatory lung diseases like asthma and smokers lung are treated with combinations of anti-inflammatory drugs. Powerful anti-inflammatory types of steroid drugs are used in more severe disease. Even these powerful drugs are sometimes not effective enough. Our work is developing an understanding of how inflammation limits the anti-inflammatory effects of steroids and we are devising ways to overcome this with new drugs. We aim to improve treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases, especially those affecting the lung.Read moreRead less
Chemical Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Analogues of Platencin, a New-generation Antibiotic. The just discovered natural product platencin displays potent and broad spectrum anti-bacterial activity. It may represent the precursor of a new class of drugs to replace current anti-infective agents which are becoming alarmingly less effective as bacterial resistance increases dramatically. For this reason, platencin has been described as a once in a generation discovery. This study will explo ....Chemical Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Analogues of Platencin, a New-generation Antibiotic. The just discovered natural product platencin displays potent and broad spectrum anti-bacterial activity. It may represent the precursor of a new class of drugs to replace current anti-infective agents which are becoming alarmingly less effective as bacterial resistance increases dramatically. For this reason, platencin has been described as a once in a generation discovery. This study will exploit two sophisticated new synthetic techniques for the purposes of making analogues of platencin that will be screened by the industry partner, Biota, for anti-bacterial properties. New drug candidates capable of treating especially dangerous infections such as methicillin resistant staphyllococcus aureus (MRSA) should thus emerge.Read moreRead less
Development Fo A Novel Treatment For Asthma: The Identification Of Lead Small Molecule Antagonists Of The IL-13/IL-13 Re
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$99,750.00
Summary
In developed countries Asthma ranks among the most common chronic illnesses. Over two million Australians now have this condition and the cost to our community is estimated to be in excess of $720 million per annum. In 1996 researchers at The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute discovered a new member of the cytokine receptor family, IL-13Ra1, which further research has strongly implicated in the pathology of this disease. The main goal of the proposed research is to discover small molecule antagoni ....In developed countries Asthma ranks among the most common chronic illnesses. Over two million Australians now have this condition and the cost to our community is estimated to be in excess of $720 million per annum. In 1996 researchers at The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute discovered a new member of the cytokine receptor family, IL-13Ra1, which further research has strongly implicated in the pathology of this disease. The main goal of the proposed research is to discover small molecule antagonists of IL-13Ra1 and to identify those suitable for development as novel asthma therapeutics.Read moreRead less
Perinatal Exposure To Household And Environmental Toxins And The Risk Of Asthma And Allergic Disease Up To 25 Years
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$291,078.00
Summary
Perinatal exposure to household and environmental toxins may increase asthma and allergic disease risk. Adverse exposures in this critical developmental window may have a marked and prolonged effect on health. A birth cohort of high-allergy risk children will be used to investigate the effect of common chemical exposures on the risk of asthma and allergic disease up to 25 years. This evidence could be used to inform guidelines on common household chemical exposures
Harnessing Tyrosine Metabolism To Combat Respiratory Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$866,467.00
Summary
Cross-talk between our immune system and the microbiome is central to health and disease. In particular, the gut microbiome has wide-ranging effects throughout the body, in part through the production of metabolites with immunomodulatory activity. We have discovered a novel subset of microbial metabolites which can protect mice against allergic airway inflammation, a model of asthma. We now aim to discovery how these metabolites work with a view towards developing them as therapeutics.
Do Exposures Before Conception Influence The Risk Of Asthma In Offspring?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$688,586.00
Summary
Asthma and poor lung function are major causes of public health issues. Emerging evidence suggests adverse exposures even before the conception of a child may cause these conditions. The proposed project is part of an international study across generations to identify these factors. This study will provide novel evidence to guide interventions and identify studies to advance this area further. These original findings will be of great importance both nationally and internationally.
Ventilation Heterogeneity And Airway Remodelling In Asthma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$522,586.00
Summary
Asthma is a common and important as a cause of significant symptoms and even death. Associated with asthma is narrowing and stiffening of the arways which causes uneven ventilation of the lungs and reduced lung function. We have developed a new technique of imaging the lungs, as well as new lung function tests which measure uneven ventilation and stiffening of airways. This will help us design better medications, and help predict those who are at risk or severe asthma and death.