Waxing And Waning Of Asthma During Transition From The Teens To Adulthood: Identification Of Immunophenotypic Markers To Predict Disease Trajectory And Guide Development Of Treatment Strategies To Prevent Progression To Chronicity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$736,166.00
Summary
The project will seek to identify biomarkers in teenage/young adult asthmatics that can distinguish between those who are "growing out" of the disease, versus those who are progressing towards chronic severe asthma. This knowledge will inform the development of more effective treatment programs for this age group.
Reducing Peer Victimisation In Australian Schools Through Targeted And Universal Approaches
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,063,531.00
Summary
Peer victimisation is a significant problem for young people in Australia and can lead to devastating long-term consequences including poor self esteem, depression and suicide. The current project aims to identify the most cost effective methods to reduce peer victimisation in schools. This will combine programs applied across the whole school with a more targeted program building resilience in vulnerable children. The results will have important implications for anti-bullying policies in school ....Peer victimisation is a significant problem for young people in Australia and can lead to devastating long-term consequences including poor self esteem, depression and suicide. The current project aims to identify the most cost effective methods to reduce peer victimisation in schools. This will combine programs applied across the whole school with a more targeted program building resilience in vulnerable children. The results will have important implications for anti-bullying policies in schools.Read moreRead less
Platelet Glycoprotein Proteolysis: Novel Mechanisms And Risk Factors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$441,473.00
Summary
Platelets are the richest source of amyloid precursor protein (APP) in the body. Platelet ADAM10 regulates both the expression and function of the major platelet collagen receptor GPVI, and protective APP processing. Coagulation protein Factor X has a role in activation of ADAM10. This activation is disrupted in blood that has been treated with direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) rivaroxaban. This grant will investigate the implications for people taking rivaroxaban on regulation of APP and GPVI.
Using Total Population Data To Describe The Characteristics Of Respiratory Infections In Order To Predict Future Epidemics And Recommend Vaccination Strategies For Western Australian Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$294,892.00
Summary
Respiratory infections are a major reason for children to go to hospital. I am an epidemiologist and I will be using previously collected and linked laboratory and hospital data from Western Australian children to better understand how these infections flow through the population over different seasons. I will then be able to predict future epidemics of respiratory infections and how different vaccine programs might have an impact in reducing how many children are affected by these infections.
Vaccination Timeliness In Aboriginal And Non-Aboriginal Infants: Risk Factors For Delayed Vaccination And Impact On Disease Burden—a Record Linkage Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$538,183.00
Summary
Vaccination has had a significant impact, but preventable infections continue to occur, perhaps due to delayed uptake of scheduled doses. For the first time, we will link vaccination and other health records to: provide accurate estimates of the impact of vaccination; identify reasons for delayed vaccination; and quantify the expected reduction in disease burden if vaccination timeliness was improved. The study will help determine who would benefit most from efforts to improve timeliness.
Innovative School-based Interventions To Improve Mental Health And The Social And Emotional Development Of Australian Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$763,845.00
Summary
I am a Professor in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Western Australia and the Telethon Kids Institute. My research develops and delivers interventions that improve the quality of life, health, education, safety and social justice outcomes for Australian children. My work is particularly focused on ways to reduce harms from bullying and cyberbullying among children and adolescents.
The Role Of A Presenilin 2 Truncation (PS2V) In Alzheimer's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$552,741.00
Summary
The Presenilin and APP proteins are centrally important in inherited, early onset Alzheimer's disease. We have discovered that a shortened form of Presenilin protein, "PS2V", appears to increase specifically the rate at which the APP protein is cleaved to produce the "Amyloid beta" protein fragment that is found in Alzheimer's disease brains. This occurs when brain cells are under oxidative stress. Understanding this process will facilitate development of appropriate therapeutic strategies for t ....The Presenilin and APP proteins are centrally important in inherited, early onset Alzheimer's disease. We have discovered that a shortened form of Presenilin protein, "PS2V", appears to increase specifically the rate at which the APP protein is cleaved to produce the "Amyloid beta" protein fragment that is found in Alzheimer's disease brains. This occurs when brain cells are under oxidative stress. Understanding this process will facilitate development of appropriate therapeutic strategies for the disease.Read moreRead less
The Role Of Gonadotropins In Regulating The Production Of Alzheimer's Beta Amyloid
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$400,278.00
Summary
Currently, about 160,000 Australians suffer from dementia; of which 50-70% are Alzheimer's disease (AD) cases. AD is characterised clinically by memory and personality changes and pathologically by deposition of amyloid. Of particular importance in the disease pathogenesis, is a small molecule called beta amyloid, of which the overproduction is thought to be central to the development of AD. Changes in the levels of the reproductive hormones, particularly low levels of oestrogen during menopause ....Currently, about 160,000 Australians suffer from dementia; of which 50-70% are Alzheimer's disease (AD) cases. AD is characterised clinically by memory and personality changes and pathologically by deposition of amyloid. Of particular importance in the disease pathogenesis, is a small molecule called beta amyloid, of which the overproduction is thought to be central to the development of AD. Changes in the levels of the reproductive hormones, particularly low levels of oestrogen during menopause or testosterone during andropuase, has been associated with the increased risk of developing AD and in altering the levels of beta amyloid. Furthermore, menopause and andropause are also characterised by changes in other reproductive hormones such as the gonadotropins. High levels of the gonadotropins have also been associated with the increased risk of developing AD. Therefore it is important to identify how these changes modify the risk of developing AD. This study examines the role of the gonadotropins in regulating beta amyloid levels in cell culture and in an animal model for AD. Furthermore, this study will assess, in the animal model, the use of gonadotropin lowering agents to reduce levels of beta amyloid. The results from this study will provide important data on how reproductive hormones regulate beta amyloid. Further insight into these mechanisms will provide therapeutic or preventative strategies for AD.Read moreRead less
Developing Novel Molecules To Down-Regulate Src Family Tyrosine Kinases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$201,261.00
Summary
Leukaemia and cancer cells have altered biochemical properties resulting in their high rate of growth compared to normal cells. One of the common biochemical characteristics of cancer-leukaemia cells is augmented activity levels of enzymes called tyrosine kinases. A major group of tyrosine kinase involved in several cancer-leukaemia types is called the Src family of tyrosine kinases. One member of this family called Lyn has been our focus of study for several years, investigating the signalling ....Leukaemia and cancer cells have altered biochemical properties resulting in their high rate of growth compared to normal cells. One of the common biochemical characteristics of cancer-leukaemia cells is augmented activity levels of enzymes called tyrosine kinases. A major group of tyrosine kinase involved in several cancer-leukaemia types is called the Src family of tyrosine kinases. One member of this family called Lyn has been our focus of study for several years, investigating the signalling pathways that it is involved in. This molecule has also been implicated in several specific leukaemia (Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia and Acute Myeloid Leukaemia) as well as cancer (Prostate, Colon, Breast) in recent years. We have identified a novel mechanism of down-regulation of this enzyme mediated by an adapter molecule called Cbp, which recruits the Lyn inactivating molecules Csk-Ctk as well as SOCS-1; together they inhibit the activity of Lyn and degrade the enzyme. Using our knowledge of the essential interaction elements of Cbp we will design and test various mini-Cbp molecules for their ability to inactivate and degrade Lyn in leukemic and cancer cells. These molecules may allow us to develop novel therapeutics capable of inactivating-degrading specific tyrosine kinases in cancer and leukaemia.Read moreRead less
Improving Stroke Outcomes: Attenuating Progression And Recurrence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$9,331,996.00
Summary
Stroke is the second most common cause of death and major cause disability. There are few proven interventions, so we need to introduce new ones. We developed a bench to bedside program to introduce new stroke therapies and its early secondary prevention. Our general goal is to provide evidence for their effectiveness and safety. We will use animal stroke models, markers in the blood to help diagnose and predict stroke outcome and imaging to help select patients for several clinical trials.