Identification Of Key Enzymes Required For Efficient Post-translational Modification And Multimerisation Of Adiponectin
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$92,364.00
Summary
Obesity is a major national and global health issue, with 62% of adult Australians being overweight/obese, associated with a number of diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Fat tissue secretes hormones and dysregulation of these hormones contributes to the development of obesity-associated disease. This project aims to define processes governing the secretion of one key hormone and ultimately to identify targets for the treatment of obesity-associated complications.
I am a cell biologist-whole body physiologist determining the cellular and molecular mechanisms that lead to insulin resistance in insulin sensitive tissues such as skeletal muscle, liver and adipose tissue. My work primarily focuses on the role of inflam
Signaling Pathways To Enhance Potency Of AMPK-targeting Drugs
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$661,966.00
Summary
Sedentary lifestyles and consumption of high energy foods has led to epidemics of obesity-related metabolic diseases that place enormous financial and medical burden on the Australian economy. An attractive drug target to treat these diseases is AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) which functions as both a cellular fuel gauge and co-ordinator of whole-body metabolism. Our goal is to improve AMPK drug potency by identifying novel processes that sensitize AMPK to drugs.
Chemerin, A Novel Therapeutic Target For Modulation Of Adipose Tissue Mass
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$535,621.00
Summary
Obesity is a significant public health issue due to its increasing prevalence and association with other diseases including cardiovascular disease. Efforts to pharmacologically prevent and treat obesity are impaired by an incomplete understanding of the genes and metabolic processes involved. This project will use cell and animal models to examine the processes that occur during the expansion of fat tissue which will broaden our understanding of obesity and assist in identifying new therapies.
Exploring The Role Of Glycogen Structure In Type 2 Diabetes.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$367,126.00
Summary
The incidence of type 2 diabetes, a disease hallmarked by poor blood glucose control, is rapidly increasing in Australia. This project will investigate the role of liver-glycogen, our blood glucose buffer, in the pathology type 2 diabetes, with particular focus on the glycogen’s structure. By determining the importance of glycogen structure on its properties and how this affects diabetic’s blood glucose levels will potentially result in new drug target for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Mitochondrial Energy Metabolism And Insulin Action
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$380,558.00
Summary
Obesity and type 2 diabetes are two major health conditions associated with abnormal energy metabolism. In this proposal I will investigate the role of important metabolic proteins in regulating energy expenditure and insulin action in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue, two crucial tissues for whole-body energy metabolism. These studies will provide critical insight into the factors leading to obesity and type 2 diabetes and will assist in identifying possible therapeutic targets.
Action Of PKC Epsilon In Adipose Tissue Regulates Hepatic Glucose Production
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$906,859.00
Summary
Our previous studies implicated the enzyme protein kinase C epsilon (PKCe) in the development of fat-induced insulin resistance, a key aspect of Type 2 Diabetes. Contrary to expectations we have now shown that animals lacking PKCe only in fat are protected from whole body insulin resistance when fed a high-fat diet. This project will investigate the mechanisms through which PKCe in fat affects insulin action at other tissues, especially liver, to disrupt normal control of blood sugar levels.