Pathogenesis Of Persistent Human Virus Infections Of Global Significance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$6,571,328.00
Summary
The study will investigate why humans cannot eradicate particular viruses (HIV-AIDS, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus), the long term effects of these viruses and ways to improve control. Current treatments can only partly suppress the levels of these viruses, because they persist in certain parts of the body called reservoirs, only to resurge later causing disease. Thus, the overall aim of the research program is to discover the mechanisms by which these viruses are able to successfully ....The study will investigate why humans cannot eradicate particular viruses (HIV-AIDS, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus), the long term effects of these viruses and ways to improve control. Current treatments can only partly suppress the levels of these viruses, because they persist in certain parts of the body called reservoirs, only to resurge later causing disease. Thus, the overall aim of the research program is to discover the mechanisms by which these viruses are able to successfully persist within reservoirs in the human body. The research program brings together a group of 6 leading scientists and clinicians located at 3 sites in 2 Australian cities. The team is comprised of experts in the study of HIV-AIDS, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus who will combine their knowledge and expertise to speed up the process of research on these viruses that are of major health importance. Studies will also utilise a number of cutting edge technologies that now make it possible to much more rapidly and precisely determine how viruses cause disease. Advances in our understanding of how viruses persist may form the basis for treatments aimed at controlling persistent infections and the serious diseases caused by these viruses.Read moreRead less
Intercellular RNA Transport In Mammals: Function And Significance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$384,213.00
Summary
It was recently discovered that the nucleic acid RNA can turn genes off very potently. This raises the exciting possibility of using RNA as a new treatment for a wide range of diseases including cancer and infection. However, it is not known how RNA enters cells in our body. This project aims to understand how RNA is transported across cell membranes, will explore the significance of this process, and should ultimately assist efforts to develop more effective RNA-based therapeutics.
Long-term Physical Exercise Improves Cognitive Performance Through Neuroimmune Modulation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$493,586.00
Summary
This research investigates for how long exercise needs to carried out in order to be beneficial for cognitive function. We choose an animal model which simulates chronic brain inflammation as seen during aging processes of humans and during many inflammatory diseases affecting brain function. This research will unravel the long-term immunomodulatory and protective effects of exercise on brain function as well as the short-term anti-inflammatory effects on brain function.
Extending Life After Lung Transplantation – Defining The Structural And Immunological Drivers Of Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$739,190.00
Summary
Lung Transplantation (LTx) saves life. However, chronic rejection limits survival after LTx compared to other solid organ transplants. Chronic rejection develops when the LTx recipient produces antibodies against the donor lung. With a team of global leaders in the field we will dissect the antibody response to LTx. By better understanding the immune drivers of antibody-mediated rejection, we aim to reduce the incidence of chronic rejection thereby improving survival after LTx.
Computational And Statistical Methods For The Analysis Of RNA-Seq Data
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$406,545.00
Summary
New sequencing technologies provide medical researchers with ultra high-resolution tools for measuring gene activity in healthy and diseased cells. These instruments generate unprecedented volumes of data that requires careful analysis to maximize the biological insight learned from each experiment. Our research will develop new tools for analyzing, interpreting and making medical discoveries from this rapidly emerging technology, for the benefit of Australian biomedical researchers.
Understanding gender differences in pain: Cellular therapies for animal pain. Understanding gender differences in pain: Cellular therapies for animal pain. This project aims to relieve chronic pain in animals and lay the foundations for future human therapies, using molecular assays, cell technologies and immune/hormonal pain generators. Chronic pain affects females more than males. Establishing the fundamental mechanism in pain, the role of immune signalling and molecular mediators will enable ....Understanding gender differences in pain: Cellular therapies for animal pain. Understanding gender differences in pain: Cellular therapies for animal pain. This project aims to relieve chronic pain in animals and lay the foundations for future human therapies, using molecular assays, cell technologies and immune/hormonal pain generators. Chronic pain affects females more than males. Establishing the fundamental mechanism in pain, the role of immune signalling and molecular mediators will enable true pain-modifying treatments that address pivotal triggers in both genders. This project will then use specially selected stem cells separately targeting arthritic male and female pain and demonstrate novel veterinary chronic pain treatments. Expected outcomes are more effective gender-targeted treatments of pain and the realisation of economic value of molecular assays and cell technologies.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210100705
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$462,948.00
Summary
Decoding the enigmatic biology of human gamma-delta T cells. The immune system surveys our body examining molecules that signal whether or not everything is ok. T cells are a central to this and use their receptors to monitor these molecular signals. A specialised subset of T cells known as gamma-delta T cells are critical to detecting infection and cancer, yet their fundamental biology is poorly understood. This project aims to unravel this elusive biology. The aims are to understand 1. The div ....Decoding the enigmatic biology of human gamma-delta T cells. The immune system surveys our body examining molecules that signal whether or not everything is ok. T cells are a central to this and use their receptors to monitor these molecular signals. A specialised subset of T cells known as gamma-delta T cells are critical to detecting infection and cancer, yet their fundamental biology is poorly understood. This project aims to unravel this elusive biology. The aims are to understand 1. The diversity in function between gamma-delta T cell subsets, and 2. The diversity in gamma-delta T cell receptors and the molecules that these receptors detect. This work is essential for understanding gamma-delta T cell immunology which is critical if we ultimately wish to harness this to improve human health.Read moreRead less
Astrocytes And Mural Cells In The Retina: Normal Development And Pathophysiology
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$679,616.00
Summary
The blood vessels that supply the nerve cells of the brain and retina are associated with support cells known as mural cells and astrocytes. Whereas astrocytes both ensure that the vessels do not leak and produce factors that induce vessel growth, mural cells control blood flow and are thought to promote vessel stability. We aim to characterise the development of astrocytes and mural cells as well as the interactions of these cells with blood vessels that influence vessel shape, growth, and loss ....The blood vessels that supply the nerve cells of the brain and retina are associated with support cells known as mural cells and astrocytes. Whereas astrocytes both ensure that the vessels do not leak and produce factors that induce vessel growth, mural cells control blood flow and are thought to promote vessel stability. We aim to characterise the development of astrocytes and mural cells as well as the interactions of these cells with blood vessels that influence vessel shape, growth, and loss. Aging is associated with changes in the vasculature of the central nervous system that confer a predisposition to certain conditions, such as dementia, caused by abnormal blood supply and consequent nerve cell death. We plan to investigate the contribution of astrocytes and mural cells to the vascular changes that accompany aging. These studies may lead to the development of interventions to prevent such changes and their associated pathologies. Finally, astrocyte degeneration is implicated in various neuropathological conditions, including dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and trauma. We aim to purify and characterise a population of astrocyte precursor cells whose transplantation might result in the repopulation of damaged regions of the central nervous system.Read moreRead less
Measuring pain in livestock: mechanisms, objective biomarkers and treatments. This project aims to create an objective blood test to measure pain in livestock, and to create a new drug treatment for persistent pain by targeting the immunology of the brain and spinal cord. This project expects to generate new knowledge of the involvement of the neuro-immune system in the creation and maintenance of persistent pain and how this can be quantified through the innovative use of peripheral blood tests ....Measuring pain in livestock: mechanisms, objective biomarkers and treatments. This project aims to create an objective blood test to measure pain in livestock, and to create a new drug treatment for persistent pain by targeting the immunology of the brain and spinal cord. This project expects to generate new knowledge of the involvement of the neuro-immune system in the creation and maintenance of persistent pain and how this can be quantified through the innovative use of peripheral blood tests. Expected outcomes of this project include a blood test capable of quantifying the extent of current pain experience, and a cumulative life measure of pain an animal has experienced. This should provide significant benefits to the Australian livestock industry by improving best practice.Read moreRead less