"Smart Food" - The fulcrum in the energy balance equation. The overall aim of the project is to establish how nutrients best promote an increase in energy expenditure and therefore weight loss. The experiments will be performed in rats using sophisticated technologies to introduce specific combinations of fats, carbohydrates or proteins directly into the stomach and then measure energy expenditure in a specialised type of energy burning rather than energy storing fat called brown adipose tissue. ...."Smart Food" - The fulcrum in the energy balance equation. The overall aim of the project is to establish how nutrients best promote an increase in energy expenditure and therefore weight loss. The experiments will be performed in rats using sophisticated technologies to introduce specific combinations of fats, carbohydrates or proteins directly into the stomach and then measure energy expenditure in a specialised type of energy burning rather than energy storing fat called brown adipose tissue. These experiments will uncover the mechanisms that relate nutrients in the stomach and activation of brown adipose tissue. They will provide a framework on which this project can build a knowledge of smart diets that will allow the effective control of body weight through modulation of energy expenditure. Read moreRead less
Defining The Impact Of Universal Iron Interventions In Young Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial In Rural Bangladesh
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,794,373.00
Summary
Although nearly half of the world's young children are anaemic, evidence regarding the best approaches to correct this problem are limited. New data even suggests that the conventional approaches (iron supplements, multiple micronutrient powders) may even be harmful. We will perform the definitive trial which will confirm the existence and magnitude of any benefit (and harm) from these interventions in young Bangladeshi children. This trial will inform global policy on anaemia control.
Benefits And Safety Of IRon Supplementation With MAlaria Chemoprevention To Children In Malawi (IRMA) - A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,064,309.00
Summary
Anaemia and malaria frequently coexist in low income settings e.g. sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Iron interventions aim to reduce anaemia but exacerbate malaria. We aim to test whether iron is made safe by coadministering malaria prevention, and whether these interventions improve child health outcomes especially cognitive development, while ensuring malaria resistance does not emerge.
Stem Cell Based Strategies For Re-establishing T Cell Immunity In Aging And Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$845,777.00
Summary
The thymus is the organ responsible for producing T cells, a key cell type in the body’s immune system. Certain cancer treatments damage the thymus, compromising the immune system and leaving patients susceptible to opportunistic infections. This proposal will develop clinically applicable strategies for generating functional human thymic mini-organs that could eventually help restore the immune system of people receiving treatment for cancer.
The Role Of Copper In Ubiquitin-dependent Protein Degradation In Alzheimer's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$588,622.00
Summary
Ubiquitin’s are small proteins that tag other proteins in a process known as “Ubiquitination”. Often this is to target them for degradation once they are no longer needed i.e. to take out the rubbish. This process is disrupted in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which may contribute to the disease. This project aims to find out if copper, an essential metal for life, is required for this process. Drugs that are designed to deliver copper to brain cells have been effective in small AD clinical trials.
The Clinicial Centre Of Research Excellence At The Jean Hailes Foundation: For The Study Of Women's Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,000,000.00
Summary
The major health issues affecting women from the mid-reproductive years include depression, disorders of mood and sexual function, and breast cancer, with cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and osteoarthritis becoming increasingly prevalent with age. Linking each of these are their known or probable causal associations with oestrogens and androgens. This Centre will provide an opportunity for comprehensive and multidisciplinary research into the role of oestrogens and androgens in these disor ....The major health issues affecting women from the mid-reproductive years include depression, disorders of mood and sexual function, and breast cancer, with cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and osteoarthritis becoming increasingly prevalent with age. Linking each of these are their known or probable causal associations with oestrogens and androgens. This Centre will provide an opportunity for comprehensive and multidisciplinary research into the role of oestrogens and androgens in these disorders.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240100635
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$448,801.00
Summary
Understanding the development of lifestyle behaviours in early childhood. This project adopts novel statistical modelling and machine learning approaches to understand the development of lifestyle behaviours in early childhood. Despite the pivotal role of lifestyle behaviours in influencing health and quality of life, little research exists on lifestyle behaviours in early childhood. This project will establish a comprehensive understanding of lifestyle behaviours in early childhood by identifyi ....Understanding the development of lifestyle behaviours in early childhood. This project adopts novel statistical modelling and machine learning approaches to understand the development of lifestyle behaviours in early childhood. Despite the pivotal role of lifestyle behaviours in influencing health and quality of life, little research exists on lifestyle behaviours in early childhood. This project will establish a comprehensive understanding of lifestyle behaviours in early childhood by identifying key developmental time points, mechanisms of behavioural change, and children at risk of developing poor lifestyle behaviours. The project will inform strategies and policies to optimise lifestyle behaviours from the start of life and showcase the capabilities of novel methods in advancing behavioural epidemiology.Read moreRead less
Optimising Exercise and Nutrition Throughout the Life Cycle. During the past decade the proportion of Australia's population aged 65 years and over has increased to 13% (2.7 million). During the same period, the proportion of the population aged 85 years and over has more than doubled and is now the fastest growing subpopulation in Australia. As the number of elderly persons continues to grow, sarcopenia-related conditions will have a dramatic and inevitable impact on the lives of all Australian ....Optimising Exercise and Nutrition Throughout the Life Cycle. During the past decade the proportion of Australia's population aged 65 years and over has increased to 13% (2.7 million). During the same period, the proportion of the population aged 85 years and over has more than doubled and is now the fastest growing subpopulation in Australia. As the number of elderly persons continues to grow, sarcopenia-related conditions will have a dramatic and inevitable impact on the lives of all Australians. The novel dietary protocols developed from the results of the studies undertaken in this proposal will translate into better treatment options for reversing age-dependent muscle degeneration. This is a critical first step for improving the standard of living for a large portion of Australian society.Read moreRead less
A Population-based Longitudinal Assessment Of Early Life Vitamin D And Risk Of Food Allergy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$466,086.00
Summary
There has been a dramatic and unexplained increase in food allergy over recent decades. The increase in food allergy may relate to a concordant increase in early vitamin D insufficiency, however this hypothesis has never been directly tested. This project will use existing/funded samples from two NHMRC funded studies to conduct a detailed investigation of (i) the determinant and predictors of early life vitamin D insufficiency; and (ii) the association of vitamin D insufficiency and food allergy ....There has been a dramatic and unexplained increase in food allergy over recent decades. The increase in food allergy may relate to a concordant increase in early vitamin D insufficiency, however this hypothesis has never been directly tested. This project will use existing/funded samples from two NHMRC funded studies to conduct a detailed investigation of (i) the determinant and predictors of early life vitamin D insufficiency; and (ii) the association of vitamin D insufficiency and food allergy.Read moreRead less
Developmental programming of adult stress responses: early life nutrition permanently alters stress and immune function. Obese children are more likely to grow up to be obese adults than normal-weight children are. Their early life diet may be at least partly to blame. Early life nutrition can also compromise ability to respond to stress or inflammation. This project will investigate how this occurs and if these effects are specific to the developmental period.