Role For Dipeptidyl Peptidase-IV In The Innate Immune Response
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$302,123.00
Summary
The innate immune system is the bodyÍs first line of defence in fighting off infections by invading organisms. An inappropriate innate immune response can lead to the development of several inflammatory conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease. A malfunctioning innate immune response has been identified in children with IBD. This project will determine the role of a unique enzyme called DPIV in the development of innate immune responses and its potential as a therapeutic target for IBD.
Isolation And Pre-clinical Evaluation Of Small Molecule Anti-inflammatory Compounds From Hookworms
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,891.00
Summary
This project will harness the unique ability of hookworm small molecules (<10 kDa) to modulate inflammation, and exploit these properties to develop novel modalities to treat inflammatory bowel diseases, using millennia of host-parasite coevolution as a guide. The excretory/secretory and somatic extracts will be assessed for their anti-inflammatory properties using TNBS mouse model. Compounds will be separated using HPLC and identified using MS and NMR spectroscopy.
Bioresponsive Porous Silicon For Site Specific Oral Delivery Of Antibodies For The Treatment Of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
This proposal aims to develop an oral antibody delivery system for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects 75000 Australians. The system will be based on porous silicon nanoparticles acting as a container to protect the antibodies, and bioresponsive coatings acting as gates to enable site specific protein delivery at the inflamed site of GI tract. The project not only holds promise for protein delivery for the treatment of IBD but other diseases like diabetes.
Microbial Involvement In The Development Of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$302,123.00
Summary
Despite extensive research investigating the causative agent(s) of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), the results of current studies remain inconclusive. One reason for this relates to study design and the sensitivity of techniques used. This project will investigate differences in the microbial composition and metabolic profiles of newly diagnosed IBD children as compared with matched controls. If successful, these results will provide insights into possible aetiological agent(s) of IBD.
Bioresponsive Nanocarriers For Controlled And Targeted Delivery To Efficiently Treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$316,449.00
Summary
Despite considerable progress in treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, current treatments suffer from many disadvantages such as side effects, lack of efficacy in many patients, and development of drug dependence. Using state of art nanotechnology, novel nanoparticles will be developed to enhance the delivery to the intestine and efficacy of Budesonide (an anti-inflammatory steroid). This research promises to find safer and more effective ways to treat these diseases.
Emu Oil And Protection From Experimentally-induced Ulcerative Colitis And Crohn's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$316,449.00
Summary
The inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), encompassing ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, are chronic intestinal inflammatory disorders of unknown cause. Current treatments for IBD are variably effective highlighting the need for improved therapeutic approaches. Emu Oil is reported to exert potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Using well established experimental models, we seek to determine the potential efficacy and underlying mechanism of Emu Oil action in acute and chronic IBD.
The Role Of Susceptibility Genes And Microbiota In Inflammatory Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$303,924.00
Summary
Utilising my background in Immunology I will investigate whether specific genetic mutations can create a susceptibility for dysregulation of the flora and immune system within the gut, thus predisposing an individual to inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease) as well as non-intestinal inflammatory conditions. These diseases are becoming an increasingly prevalent and serious health burden in Australia. We aim to use this knowledge in order to design specific treatment ....Utilising my background in Immunology I will investigate whether specific genetic mutations can create a susceptibility for dysregulation of the flora and immune system within the gut, thus predisposing an individual to inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease) as well as non-intestinal inflammatory conditions. These diseases are becoming an increasingly prevalent and serious health burden in Australia. We aim to use this knowledge in order to design specific treatments for these diseases.Read moreRead less
A Role For Double-stranded RNA-dependent Protein Kinase In Regulating Nod-like Receptor Signaling For Modulating Colitis And Colitis-associated Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$230,600.00
Summary
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and Colorectal cancers (CRC) are commonly found in developed countries like Australia. In spite of improved treatment for IBD and CRC, it is still not known why many patients are still not responsive to these therapies. Therefore, this proposed project aims to use genetically modified mice and molecular biology techniques to understand the pathogenesis of these diseases and to find an alternative new treatment for these diseases.
Structural And Functional Studies Of The Human IL-3 Receptor
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$307,946.00
Summary
This proposal will study a protein hormone that is implicated in blood cell cancers and inflammatory diseases and for which current treatments are inadequate. We will determine how the hormone receptor becomes activated, identify and characterise new agents that block this activation. This information will help in the development of new and highly specific drugs for use in certain cancers in inflammatory diseases.