Genomic Investigation Of Major Human Diseases And Lifespan
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$463,652.00
Summary
I am focused on finding disease genes for major human neurological diseases that increase with age. In my future research I will use human population genetics data combined with animal research to find genes that can block pain perception, or promote long life while preserving brain function in the elderly. My research efforts can help provide a better basic understanding of age-related diseases, and may help us identify new therapies to help us live productive, long lives.
Harnessing The Power Of Genomics To Understand Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,144.00
Summary
The last 10 years have seen a revolution in our ability to sequence DNA and related molecules. This technological advancement has the potential to transform our knowledge of the mechanisms of development and disease. In order to harness the power of this technology, advances in analysis strategies and methods are critical to extract the important insights into these massive data sets. My research will lead the way in several major areas of bioinformatics research.
Population Genetics And Functional Genomics Approaches To Improve Outcomes For Patients With Colorectal Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$466,492.00
Summary
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer related death in Australia, and the 5-year survival rate for metastatic disease remains below 10%. Over the next 4 years, my translational research program will focus on improving patient outcomes in four ways: Discovery of inherited variants affecting CRC risk and progression, tumour molecular classification, discovery of markers for prognosis and drug response, and elucidation of the molecular mechanisms driving CRC development.
Translating Neuroscience Into Treatments And Public Health Policies For Addictive Behaviours
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,048.00
Summary
Advances from neuroscience promise to revolutionise our ability to treat and prevent addictive disorders such as gambling, overeating and drug addiction. These developments may also have unexpected clinical consequences, undermine individuals’ belief in their control over their behaviour or increase stigma and discrimination. This project will develop clinical guidelines and public health policy recommendations to ensure that we realise the benefits of neuroscience while minimising social harms.
Application Of Next Generation Sequencing To Address Clinical Problems In Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$463,652.00
Summary
Cancer is the cause of 1 in 8 deaths worldwide. Cancer occurs due to errors or mutations in the DNA of normal cells. The mutations may cause the cells to grow incorrectly and become cancer. I will identify the mutations or errors in tumour cells. This will tell us: i) How the tumour started and continued to grow ii) How to treat the tumour cells to kill the cancer The work will involve a variety of cancer types including mesothelioma, melanoma, oesophageal, pancreatic and breast cancer.
Development Of Statistical Methodologies And Application To Clinical Cancer Studies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$428,065.00
Summary
Integrating different layers of information coming from the recent ‘-omics’ technologies can help improving the treatment and the prevention of complex diseases. In particular, the identification of molecular markers of different types can be used for better diagnostics and prognosis in cancer and immune diseases. This project will develop innovative statistical solutions to handle and make sense of the vast amount of biological data that are routinely generated in the laboratories.
Computational Methods For The Analysis Of Next Generation Sequence Data In Human Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$401,361.00
Summary
Modern DNA sequencing technologies generate data at an unprecedented rate, providing the opportunity to develop deep insights into human disease. We can now sequence a tumour genome in a matter of weeks, or assay epigenetic marks in the malaria parasite genome, but these data raise new analysis challenges requiring new statistical and computational methods to solve. This fellowship will support the development of such new methods and will contribute to basic discoveries in human disease.
LINEs Of Mutagenesis, Selection And Evolution In Ovarian Cancer And Chemoresistance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,048.00
Summary
L1 elements are powerful mutagens encoded within the human genome that becomes active in epithelial tumours. I will define the broad effects of L1 elements on the evolution of chemoresistance, focusing on ovarian cancer as a model system. Ovarian cancer is characterised by a poor 5 year survival rate of ~40% with most tumours developing resistance. Understanding the impacts of L1 on this evolution will inform the development and selection of more effective treatments for ovarian cancer.