Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptors: A Role In The Promotion Of Mammary Gland Carcinogenesis By Dietary Fat.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$188,702.00
Summary
Breast cancer is a leading cause of death in Australian women. While some women have a hereditary predisposition to breast cancer, for most women a variety of factors are responsible for their disease. One thing that appears to be important as a cause of breast cancer is our diet. There are many components of the diet that may play a role. One important factor is the amount and type of fat that we consume. Just how dietary fat causes an increase in breast cancer is not known. What this project a ....Breast cancer is a leading cause of death in Australian women. While some women have a hereditary predisposition to breast cancer, for most women a variety of factors are responsible for their disease. One thing that appears to be important as a cause of breast cancer is our diet. There are many components of the diet that may play a role. One important factor is the amount and type of fat that we consume. Just how dietary fat causes an increase in breast cancer is not known. What this project aims to achieve is an understanding of how dietary fat and breast cancer are related. If we can understand this then we can rationally design treatments or a preventative strategy.Read moreRead less
Intercellular RNA Transport In Mammals: Function And Significance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$384,213.00
Summary
It was recently discovered that the nucleic acid RNA can turn genes off very potently. This raises the exciting possibility of using RNA as a new treatment for a wide range of diseases including cancer and infection. However, it is not known how RNA enters cells in our body. This project aims to understand how RNA is transported across cell membranes, will explore the significance of this process, and should ultimately assist efforts to develop more effective RNA-based therapeutics.
The Role Of 'Orphan' Transporters In Bone Homeostasis And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$675,668.00
Summary
Osteoclasts (OCs) are giant multinucleated cells exclusively responsible for physiological bone degradation (resorption). Excessive OC activity leads to localised bone destruction (osteolysis) as observed in patients with osteoarthritis and underlies decreased bone mass and fragility fractures that are a hallmark of osteoporosis. This project examines the role of an orphan solute carrier transporter in OC function and its potential involvement in bone disease.
Epilepsy is often poorly controlled by medication and dietary measures can be taken that reduce occurrence of epileptic seizures. Glucose control is impacted by diet and also mutations in the genes that move glucose around the body are known to cause epilepsy. Here we will be studying how the genetic and dietary control of glucose levels impacts brain function to increase seizures and to potentially reveal novel therapies.
Protecting The Efficacy Of Antimalarial Therapies With Novel Approaches To Suppress The Emergence Of Drug Resistance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,768.00
Summary
The global campaign to eliminate malaria is under serious threat from the continuing emergence and spread of Plasmodium falciparum parasites resistant to antimalarial drugs. However in acquiring resistance to one drug, the parasite can become more susceptible to other antimalarials. This project aims to 1) test the ability of drug pairs with opposing selection forces to suppress resistance in vitro and 2) define the physiological and molecular basis of these opposing evolutionary forces.