The Involvement Of The Kynurenine Pathway In Blood Brain Barrier Disruption And Its Relevance For Neuroinflammatory Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$597,797.00
Summary
We aim to study the involvement of molecules deriving from the degradation of the essential amino acid tryptophan on the breakdown of the ñblood-brain barrierî (the cellular wall separating blood and brain) that is observed in several major brain diseases. Using specific drugs blocking the production or the effects of these toxic compounds we expect to be able to preserve the integrity of the blood brain barrier and so to limit brain inflammation and neuronal loss.
Controlling Neuroinflammation In Alzheimer's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Summary
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide, with 269,000 Australians currently diagnosed with AD and is expected to soar to about 981,000 by 2050. AD accounts for greater than 60% of all cases of dementia. This grant investigates the role that neuroinflammation plays in the progression and exacerbation of AD and will identify new therapeutic strategies to combat this insidious disease.
Epigenetic Determination Of Neuronal Vulnerability And Neurodegenerative Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$617,857.00
Summary
Neurons are faced with diverse forms of stress everyday. Neural diseases exacerbate this stress, causing interference to genes that normally allow neurons to function correctly. As a result, neurons die, and severe loss can result in diseases such as dementia. We have discovered new molecular factors in neurons that insulate their genes from stress, thereby protecting neuron function and health. The proposed research will exploit these mechanisms to better protect neurons from disease.
Uncovering The Molecular Mechanisms Behind Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,967.00
Summary
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (or CMT) is one of the most common disorders of the nervous system, affecting the normal function of the limbs and causing lifelong disabilities. There is currently no cure for CMT. The aim of this research is to develop a new model of CMT, which will allow us to uncover novel information about how the disease develops. This research will provide a better understanding of the disease and therefore provide valuable insight for the future generation of therapeutics.
Molecular Mechanisms And Pharmacology Of The Dynamins
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$883,375.00
Summary
His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of synaptic transmission in the nervous system to: a) understand the basic science of nerve communication and b) develop drugs to control diseases of nerve terminals like epilepsy. The main focus is on proteins called the dynamins, which are self-assembling molecular machines acting in many intracellular functions. There are three dynamin genes: dynI, II and III with diverse functions in the different parts of the body.
Role Of ABCA8 Transporter In Oligodendroglial Lipid Regulation And Multiple System Atrophy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$651,516.00
Summary
Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rapid-onset brain disorder impacting on multiple functions of the body resulting in death. The cause of MSA is unknown and there is no cure. In MSA brains, the oligodendroglial cells are impaired and cannot properly make myelin (specialized lipid membrane), which is required for the proper functioning of the nerve cells in the brain. The aim of this project is to find out how changes in lipid in the brain impact on the MSA disease process.
Cracking The Epigenetic Code: Understanding The Mechanisms Of Memory Associated With Anxiety-related Disorders And Their Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$640,210.00
Summary
The primary goal of my research programme is to elucidate how the epigenome coordinates experience-dependent gene expression underlying associative learning and memory using paradigms relevant for understanding fear-related anxiety disorders. My research on DNA modifications and newly emerging findings in the realm of RNA biology is changing the way we think about gene-environment interactions, the broader impact of which will most certainly continue to be felt for years to come.
Regulation Of Glutamate Receptor Trafficking By The Calcium- And Lipid-binding Protein, Copine-6
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$548,690.00
Summary
Abnormal levels of cell surface receptors in neurons can lead to a variety of debilitating neurological disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. These levels are tightly regulated through the orchestrated movements of receptors from inside the neuron to the cell surface. In this project we will examine how the transport of cell surface receptors is regulated by an intracellular signalling molecule, called copine, which is important in both epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease.
Axonal Fusion To Promote Nerve Repair: Molecules And Mechanisms.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$456,189.00
Summary
Nerve injuries are in most cases untreatable, leaving patients with high level of disabilities for the rest of their life. Understanding the molecular mechanism regulating nerve regeneration is critical to develop new drugs and design innovative therapies. We discovered molecules that mediates axonal repair by favouring the stitching together of the two separated fragments of an axon. We aim to study how they functions to possibly exploit a similar mechanism of repair for human injuries.