Blood Biomarker Discovery For The Diagnosis Of Alzheimers Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$292,639.00
Summary
Alzheimer's disease (AD) currently affects approximately 24 million people world wide, with >200,000 people within Australia currently affected, by 2050 an estimated 730,000+ people will be affected. The discovery of blood based biomarkers for AD will enable earlier diagnosis of AD, allowing early preventative treatments to be given. Thus, reduce the rate of disease progression and the cost of care and, gain significant improvement in the quality of life for the patients and their families.
Platelet Receptor Shedding In Stroke And Thrombosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$552,503.00
Summary
In response to tissue injury and bleeding, blood platelets use receptors to form a thrombus (blood clot) and block further loss of blood and aid tissue repair. In inflammation or disease, abberant platelet activation can form a thrombus within cerebral (stroke) or coronary vessels (heart attack). We examine how a thrombus-limiting step (platelet receptor shedding) is triggered in thrombus-forming platelets, and if shed receptor can be used as a blood marker of abberant platelet activation.
Tubulovillous Adenomas In Colorectal Tumorigenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$295,983.00
Summary
Bowel cancer is the second most common cancer affecting Australians today, and half of all patients will not survive their disease. Bowel cancer grows from small growths called polyps. In this project, we aim to investigate changes in genes found in a particularly aggressive type of bowel polyp called a tubulovillous adenoma. A better understanding of these gene changes will aid the future development of molecular tests for early detection and therapeutic options for the treatment of cancer.
The CpG Island Methylator Phenotype In Colorectal Cancer - Pathways And Precursors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$517,272.00
Summary
Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting Australians. It will affect 1-23 Australians and is a leading cause of cancer-related death. If diagnosed early, bowel cancer is curable with surgery. Unfortunately, symptoms are often not present until the cancer is advanced, when the cure rate is only 55%. It has been recognised that there are different types of bowel cancer depending on different genes which can be inactivated abnormally. We propose that there are at least four differen ....Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting Australians. It will affect 1-23 Australians and is a leading cause of cancer-related death. If diagnosed early, bowel cancer is curable with surgery. Unfortunately, symptoms are often not present until the cancer is advanced, when the cure rate is only 55%. It has been recognised that there are different types of bowel cancer depending on different genes which can be inactivated abnormally. We propose that there are at least four different subgroups of bowel tumours, and that each of these may have different physical properties and responses to therapy. We aim to better characterise these subgroups to increase our understanding of how normal bowel can change into a small polyp, that may grow into a cancer. Understanding the gene changes leading to each subtype of bowel cancer will in the future allow the development gene markers for early detection as well as the possibility of individualised patient therapy. We are also studying tiny biopsies of normal bowel tissue from patients either with or without polyps, to try to understand the very earliest changes which may underly the development of a bowel polyp.Read moreRead less
A Comparative Cognitive And Neuroimaging Study Of Pre-diagnosis And Symptomatic Individuals With Huntingtons Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$585,557.00
Summary
Huntington's disease (HD) is characterized by motor, cognitive and psychiatric disturbance. Neuroimaging techniques provide a range of measures that can characterize underlying brain changes. This study will use a range of clinical, behavioural, and brain imaging techniques to uncover the most sensitive and reliable marker of change in both pre diagnostic and early symptomatic HD. Therapeutic interventions can only be tested once markers have been identified.
Biomarkers, Related Mechanisms And Technology To Improve Diabetes Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$474,513.00
Summary
Diabetes can cause eye, kidney, heart and nerve damage. The applicant will lead human studies of treatments to prevent complications, improve blood glucose and co-ordinate care. Early outcome prediction would enable better treatment of high-risk people, monitoring of therapy, and development of new treatments. Dr Jenkins also has a network with data and samples from over 35,000 people with diabetes, preliminary data, and a team to measure markers and test new treatments in the lab.
A number of previous studies have shown high levels of two proteins, STC1 and STC2, in a substantial subset of breast cancers. We are proposing to do the first definitive analyses of whether these hormone-like proteins contribute to breast cancer growth. If yes, they are suitable targets for development of new treatments.
Factors That Influence Disease Severity In Tuberculosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$149,076.00
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) is a major global health problem and is one of the leading causes of death from an infectious disease worldwide. The severity of disease that occurs with TB is dependent on many complex factors including the infected person’s immune system and factors related to the TB organism itself. This research will determine the key factors that cause severe disease in TB which will translate into improved care of TB patients and enhance further research in this field.