Venoms To Drugs: Characterizing The Molecular Interactions Between Venom Peptides And Ion Channels With A View To Rational Drug Design
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$316,449.00
Summary
The conventional approach to drug development is reaching a state of crisis as it is producing fewer new drugs at increasing cost. A promising alternative is to harness the rich and diverse chemistry of venom peptides. This project aims to understand the mechanism by which venom peptides achieve their pharmacological activity. This knowledge is essential for venom-based drug design for treating diseases ranging from nervous systems disorders, stroke, chronic pain and psychiatric illnesses.
Structural Characterisation Of Long Non-Coding RNA Bound Histone Modification Complexes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,891.00
Summary
Cancer is a disease associated with genetic and epigenetic changes of DNA. Epigenetics involves external changes to the DNA, switching processes “on” and “off”, to regulate gene expression. This project aims to provide powerful insight into key processes involved in epigenetic-based carcinogenesis, and thereby lay the foundation for producing novel cancer diagnostic markers and molecular based therapies.
Structural And Functional Studies Of The Human IL-3 Receptor
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$307,946.00
Summary
This proposal will study a protein hormone that is implicated in blood cell cancers and inflammatory diseases and for which current treatments are inadequate. We will determine how the hormone receptor becomes activated, identify and characterise new agents that block this activation. This information will help in the development of new and highly specific drugs for use in certain cancers in inflammatory diseases.
Discovery And Characterisation Of Long Noncoding RNAs In Human Neurological Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$349,647.00
Summary
Numerous regions in our DNA influence how likely we are to develop various diseases, including brain disorders such as Autism and Schizophrenia. However, in many of these regions no genes have been found and they appear “empty”, making it difficult to uncover what’s triggering the disease. This project will use a powerful new technology to discover new genes hidden within these supposedly “empty” regions that are important in brain disorders and investigate how they contribute to disease.
Coping-Together: A Randomised Controlled Trial Of A Self-directed Coping Skills Intervention For Patients With Cancer And Their Partners
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$176,687.00
Summary
Although a cancer diagnosis and treatment have profound effects on both patients and their partners, most supportive care interventions target patients, whilst neglecting partners. To address this gap, our team is developing a Coping-Together intervention, which includes a novel, self-directed coping skills training workbook to assist couples affected by cancer manage common challenges post-diagnosis. This study will examine the efficacy of the Coping-Together intervention in decreasing couples� ....Although a cancer diagnosis and treatment have profound effects on both patients and their partners, most supportive care interventions target patients, whilst neglecting partners. To address this gap, our team is developing a Coping-Together intervention, which includes a novel, self-directed coping skills training workbook to assist couples affected by cancer manage common challenges post-diagnosis. This study will examine the efficacy of the Coping-Together intervention in decreasing couples� anxiety at 2, 5, 9, and 12 months post-baseline.Read moreRead less
Pharmacological Investigation Of The Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor (GLP-1R)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$367,948.00
Summary
Family B G protein-coupled receptors represent key therapeutic targets for many conditions, including metabolic, bone, growth and neuronal disorders. However, poor mechanistic understanding of this receptor family impacts on their clinical value. Consequently, this research is aimed at gaining a more comprehensive understanding of the structure and function of the family B glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor through use of new and novel pharmacological techniques.
Oligomers Of The Alzheimer's Amyloid-? Peptide: Structure, Mechanism Of Toxicity And Small Molecule Interactions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$356,324.00
Summary
Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that currently affects 240 000 Australians. The protein called amyloid-? is found in deposits in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. The toxic form of this protein is thought to be small aggregated particles called ‘oligomers’. This work aims to investigate the structure of these particles, the reason why they are toxic, as well as their interaction with the neuroprotective compound EGCG, which is found in green tea.