Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220100403
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$468,582.00
Summary
Defining how gut bacteria regulate metabolism: a role for gut serotonin. This project aims to understand how serotonin-producing cells in the gut interact with gut bacteria (the microbiome), using a combination of cells in culture and live germ-free and genetically modified mice. This project expects to generate new knowledge regarding cellular interactions that underlie important physiological pathways, such as the control of blood glucose and fat storage. The intended outcomes of this project ....Defining how gut bacteria regulate metabolism: a role for gut serotonin. This project aims to understand how serotonin-producing cells in the gut interact with gut bacteria (the microbiome), using a combination of cells in culture and live germ-free and genetically modified mice. This project expects to generate new knowledge regarding cellular interactions that underlie important physiological pathways, such as the control of blood glucose and fat storage. The intended outcomes of this project are to identify how gut bacteria communicate with serotonin-producing cells to regulate metabolism, and whether diet acts via a gut microbiome-serotonin axis to impact physiology. The expected benefit of this project will be to provide a new understanding of highly complex physiological systems that regulate our health.Read moreRead less
Will A Reduction In Dietary AGEs Improve Insulin Sensitivity And Secretion In Overweight Individuals?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$240,931.00
Summary
Advanced Gycation end-products (AGE) are formed when foods brown during heating, processing or long term storage. This study will examine the AGE content of a typical Australian diet. Also, an intervention study will be undertaken to determine whether an 75% reduction in AGE intake can reduce blood markers of chronic inflammation, improve insulin secretion and action and thus reduce diabetes and heart disease risk.
Endocrine signalling from bone cells in the regulation of glucose and energy homeostasis. Osteoporosis, obesity and diabetes are increasingly common, all of which are in urgent need of more effective therapies. This project examines powerful neuropeptide signalling pathways that integrate bone homeostasis with whole body energy and glucose balance. Initial studies have defined the efferent hypothalamic pathways of this system and this project will build upon these findings to examine the feedbac ....Endocrine signalling from bone cells in the regulation of glucose and energy homeostasis. Osteoporosis, obesity and diabetes are increasingly common, all of which are in urgent need of more effective therapies. This project examines powerful neuropeptide signalling pathways that integrate bone homeostasis with whole body energy and glucose balance. Initial studies have defined the efferent hypothalamic pathways of this system and this project will build upon these findings to examine the feedback signals produced by bone cells to regulate adipose and pancreatic function. Exploring this entirely new paradigm of skeletal biology, will reveal novel circulating factors capable of regulating adipose and glucose economies, as well as bone mass, thereby offering potential therapies for these debilitating conditions.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms Of A Novel Strategy For Neuroprotection In Experimental Models Of Stroke And Epilepsy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$480,499.00
Summary
Stroke and epilepsy are among the most common neurological disorders affecting many Australians. In both disorders, brain metabolism is disturbed. Dr. Borges has found that an edible oil inhibits seizures in mice and it is now being tested in epilepsy patients. This grant will allow her laboratory to study the effects of this oil against stroke and to investigate how it protects the brain. New knowledge obtained will help to develop new treatments for brain disorders.