Airway Smooth Muscle And Fixed Airway Obstruction: Strategies For Softening Muscle
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$555,643.00
Summary
In severe asthma the airways don't relax fully making breathing more difficult. The inability to relax is being addressed by exploring the behaviour of isolated muscle cells. These cells are able to compact collagen gels. The mechanisms used to compact the gel are different to those that cause rapid muscular contraction. We aim to identify the molecules responsible for the gel compaction as a first step to identifying new drugs to treat the fixed airway obstruction in severe asthma.
Glucocorticoid Resistance: Identifying New Anti-inflammatory Drug Targets
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$453,287.00
Summary
The control of chronic inflammatory diseases such as asthma involve use of drugs related to the steroid hormone cortisol. Up to 40% of patients with more severe disease respond poorly or not at all to these drugs. The remaining non-steroid treatments are only partially effective. Poor disease control is a great health and economic burden. We have identified a molecular mechanism for steroid resistance and propose new studies to identify novel drugs that act to reverse steroid resistance.
B Cells And Autoantibodies In The Pathogenesis Of Hypertension
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$853,340.00
Summary
This project aims to gain a better understanding of the causes of hypertension. Specifically, we will test the idea that activation of the immune system and the production of antibodies is a major cause of the blood vessel and kidney damage that leads to high blood pressure. Such findings could pave the way for new treatment approaches where drugs currently reserved for patients with autoimmune diseases (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, gout) are re-purposed for the treatment of hypertension.
Developing Novel Neuroreceptor And Channel Therapies For Pain And Addiction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$808,375.00
Summary
Chronic pain is a growing and poorly treated global health burden. There is a great need for novel pain therapeutics. We are discovering novel drug targets in pain pathways in the nervous system and new therapeutic molecules that selectively block information flow in pain nerves. Strong pain relieving drugs like morphine also lose their effectiveness after long periods of use. We are finding mechanisms responsible for this thereby providing a rational basis for development of better opioids and ....Chronic pain is a growing and poorly treated global health burden. There is a great need for novel pain therapeutics. We are discovering novel drug targets in pain pathways in the nervous system and new therapeutic molecules that selectively block information flow in pain nerves. Strong pain relieving drugs like morphine also lose their effectiveness after long periods of use. We are finding mechanisms responsible for this thereby providing a rational basis for development of better opioids and pain treatments.Read moreRead less
M2 Macrophage Polarization As A Cause Of Vascular Fibrosis And Stiffening In Hypertension
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$657,028.00
Summary
Blood vessel stiffening is a hallmark of hypertension (A.K.A. high blood pressure) and is thought to be a major contributor to the clinical complications of the condition, which include heart failure, stroke and renal impairment. Here we will test the novel concept that this stiffening process is caused by certain types of white blood cells (macrophages), which enter the walls of blood vessels and signal the surrounding cells to produce a rigid scaffolding protein called collagen.
The Search For Novel Therapeutic Targets For The Treatment Of Chronic Pain.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,048.00
Summary
Chronic pain is very common, with one in five Australians suffering long-term pain that is serious enough to cause disability. It is extraordinarily difficult to treat. Medicines used to treat normal pain symptoms are usually ineffective on chronic pain patients because the cause of the pain is different. The aim of this project is to identify new drug targets in the spinal cord that are specific for chronic pain so we can develop new medicines to reverse the symptoms safely and effectively.
Evaluating The Anti-inflammatory, Anti-oxidant And Wound-healing Properties Of Australian Native Stingless Bee Cerumen From Trigona Carbonaria, And The Effects Of Bee Foraging Behaviours On Cerumen Bioactivity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$95,313.00
Summary
I have a keen interest in evaluating the potential of natural products to promote wound-healing in humans. Cerumen, a resinous material produced by Australian native stingless bees, is easily obtained; however, the medicinal properties of this natural product have not been widely investigated. Therefore, the proposed PhD project aims to investigate the anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and wound-healing properties of Australian native stingless bee cerumen.
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
The Importance Of Receptor Trafficking For Signalling Of Pain And Inflammation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$787,604.00
Summary
Inflammation and pain are normal processes that are essential for survival: inflammation fights infections and pain allows avoidance of danger. These processes are normally tightly controlled and are transient. During disease, they become dysregulated and chronic. By understanding the normal processes of inflammation and pain, and by determining how dysregulation causes disease, we aim to develop new treatments for diseases that are a major cause of human suffering.
ROLE OF A DOWN SYNDROME-RELATED PROTEIN IN STROKE OUTCOME
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$931,302.00
Summary
This project will test whether a gene called DSCR1, which is present at a higher level in Down Syndrome individuals, might play a protective role in the outcome after stroke. We will identify the cells and molecular pathways that are involved in this protective effect in mice, with a longer term view of applying this information to the development of new types of targeted therapies for clinical stroke.