T cells play a central role in the immune response. The primary event in T cell activation is the triggering of a specific T cell receptor (TCR). Our studies will define new mechanisms for the regulation of TCR-mediated T cell responses. Our studies may yield novel insight into processes that contribute to the development of type 1 diabetes & inflammatory bowel disease.
Synovial Macrophages And T-cells Are Therapeutic Targets In Osteoarthritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$658,761.00
Summary
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most widespread musculoskeletal disease in Australia and there are currently no therapies that halt disease progression. Specific inflammatory events play a pivotal role in initiating and driving OA progression. In this study we will define the specific inflammatory cells involved in OA, how and why they change with time, and which can be targeted to stop disease onset and development. This will provide the platform for initiating human clinical trials.
Genomic Medicine: Predictors Of Refractory Ulcerative Colitis And Its Response To Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$879,048.00
Summary
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a major form of inflammatory bowel disease, affecting over 35,000 Australians. Symptoms include bleeding from the anus, tummy pain, and diarrhoea. There is a 1 in 4 risk of needing major surgery for UC. Our study will use current genetic techniques to classify patients according to the severity of their colitis, and their response to treatments. This will allow clinicians to personalize medical treatment far more effectively from the outset of a patients’ disease.
Mechanisms Of Novel TLR9 Mediated Intraocular Inflammation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$442,244.00
Summary
Corneal opacities and scarring due to microbial and parasitic infections are a major cause of blindness globally. Novel studies in our lab have shown that topical application of bacterial/viral DNA alone to the cornea can cause previously unrecognised inflammation in the retina. Understanding the mechanisms of this retinal inflammation and how to block it may help in the design of novel treatments for a number of blinding conditions.
Elf5 And The Basis For Antiestrogen Resistant Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,181,326.00
Summary
Resistance to anti estrogen therapies causes half of breast cancer deaths. We have recently discovered (Plos Biol 2012) that the transcription factor Elf5 is intimately involved in this process. This grant will develop our understanding of the transcriptional and genomic events involving Elf5 that lead to antiestrogen resistance and metatstasis, to develop new models of antiestrogen resistance, biomarkers that predict antiestrogen resistance and new therapeutic targets and strategies that preven ....Resistance to anti estrogen therapies causes half of breast cancer deaths. We have recently discovered (Plos Biol 2012) that the transcription factor Elf5 is intimately involved in this process. This grant will develop our understanding of the transcriptional and genomic events involving Elf5 that lead to antiestrogen resistance and metatstasis, to develop new models of antiestrogen resistance, biomarkers that predict antiestrogen resistance and new therapeutic targets and strategies that prevent antiestrogen resistance.Read moreRead less
Towards A Diagnostic Test For Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$661,670.00
Summary
Childhood arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects around 6000 Australian children. It can be difficult to diagnose, but quick diagnosis is important to prevent ongoing pain and limit long term damage to joints. We have been able to use genetic information to predict which people have autoimmune celiac disease. In this project, we will find out how well genetic information can predict which children have childhood arthritis, and whether genetics can be used as a diagnostic test.
Improving Treatment Outcomes For Malignant Mesothelioma Patients Using Biomarkers.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$795,262.00
Summary
The deadly asbestos-induced cancer mesothelioma is continuing to kill tens of thousands of people each year. Most patients are diagnosed with advanced disease. In this study we will use novel biomarkers to help the diagnosis of mesothelioma and potentially improve treatment options for patients.
Antiphospholipid Syndrome Related Thrombosis: Understanding The Disease Pathogenic Mechanisms Is The Key To Better Diagnosis And Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$607,497.00
Summary
Patients with the Antiphospholipid Syndrome develop thrombosis at a young age. It requires long-term treatment with blood thinning medications, which have risks of severe bleeding. Methods are needed to decide which patients require long term treatment, avoiding unnecessary treatment in low risk patients. Such methods do not currently exist. In this study we explore how useful two novel assays developed by us are in identifying which of these patients are at high risk of thrombosis.
Personalising Care In Operable Pancreas Cancer. GAP-T: A Study Of Imaging And Molecular Biomarkers To Guide Treatment Of Patients Receiving Preoperative Chemotherapy Followed By Surgery.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$405,345.00
Summary
We are studying ways to improve how we treat patients with pancreatic cancer. We will use a novel imaging tool, the PET scanner, to show where active cancer is and how quickly and how well a new drug combination (gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel) is affecting the cancer. We will also study if measuring the expression of specific proteins (SPARC and hENT1) in the cancer affects the outcome and will allow us to determine ahead of time which patients will benefit most from the drugs.
Waxing And Waning Of Asthma During Transition From The Teens To Adulthood: Identification Of Immunophenotypic Markers To Predict Disease Trajectory And Guide Development Of Treatment Strategies To Prevent Progression To Chronicity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$736,166.00
Summary
The project will seek to identify biomarkers in teenage/young adult asthmatics that can distinguish between those who are "growing out" of the disease, versus those who are progressing towards chronic severe asthma. This knowledge will inform the development of more effective treatment programs for this age group.