Neural Control Of Renal Function: Functionally Specific Populations Of Sympathetic Nerves
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$286,250.00
Summary
The kidneys are supplied with a dense network of nerves. Working properly, these nerves help maintain normal filtering of the blood by the kidneys. Over-activity of the nerves going to the kidney is associated with congestive heart failure, liver cirrhosis, chronic renal failure and hypertension. We have recently made several major discoveries about these nerves. Our studies suggest, based on structural and functional evidence, that stimulation of subgroups of nerve fibers going to the kidney wi ....The kidneys are supplied with a dense network of nerves. Working properly, these nerves help maintain normal filtering of the blood by the kidneys. Over-activity of the nerves going to the kidney is associated with congestive heart failure, liver cirrhosis, chronic renal failure and hypertension. We have recently made several major discoveries about these nerves. Our studies suggest, based on structural and functional evidence, that stimulation of subgroups of nerve fibers going to the kidney will causes different effects with in the kidney . We therefore suggest that salt excretion , the control of blood flow to the kidney and the release of hormones by the kidney can be seperately regulated by the nerves. Using techinques only practise in a handful of laboratories around the world, we aim to determine to how the nerves control kidney function normally. These studies will suggest new directions in which the renal nerves may be implicated in disease.Read moreRead less
A Wireless Electric Nerve-guide For Peripheral Nerve Repair
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$805,064.00
Summary
We aim to deliver a radical new precision intervention for peripheral nerve repair to improve the lives of people with peripheral nerve damage. Drawing from our recently awarded work on 'electric neural tissue engineering', we will pre-clinically test our invention of a unique clinically-amenable electric nerve-guide (e-nerve-guide), designed to act as a protective nerve conduit and wirelessly electrically-stimulate damaged nerves for their regeneration and restoration of function.
A Novel And Unique Protein I-body For The Treatment Of Chronic Kidney Disease Through Targeting CXCR4
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$768,340.00
Summary
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide public health problem, with adverse outcomes of kidney failure, cardiovascular disease, and premature death. Kidney transplantation and dialysis are the only options for the management of CKD, which results in a significant burden on the health system. The central aim of this project is to develop a novel therapeutic strategy to limit/reverse CKD, which will lead to a researcher-industry partnership in discovery of novel therapeutic agent.
The Role Of Tissue Hypoxia In The Evolution Of Kidney Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$509,391.00
Summary
We will determine how low oxygen levels in the kidney lead to kidney disease. We can now measure the levels of oxygen in kidney tissue in rats 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in a completely non-invasive way. We will study two common kinds of kidney disease. One, acute kidney injury, can result from administration of contrast agents used in x-ray diagnostic procedures. The other, chronic kidney disease, is common in patients with diabetes or high blood pressure.
Axonal Regeneration And Degeneration: Cellular And Molecular Mechanisms
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$622,655.00
Summary
Understanding how to repair of nerve damage following a traumatic injury, a vascular accident, or a degenerative condition, is essential to develop novel effective treatments. We have identified, in a simple genetic model system, the molecular mechanisms that allow a transected nerve to be repaired by reattachment of its two separated fragments. This 'axonal fusion' process is a highly promising innovative approach that can be exploited to restore the original neuronal circuit.
Towards Prevention Of Acute Kidney Injury After Cardiac Surgery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$771,918.00
Summary
Open heart surgery saves thousands of lives each year in Australia, but often injures the kidney. Kidney oxygen deficiency is a major cause of kidney injury. We propose a new way to manage kidney oxygen levels during heart surgery, by measuring the level of oxygen in the urine in the bladder. We will determine whether low levels of oxygen in the urine during surgery predict later development of acute kidney injury, and whether patient management can be changed to optimize kidney oxygen levels.