Selective Modulation Of Neural Network Activity Using Focal Brain Stimulation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$531,496.00
Summary
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been touted as a viable treatment for a range of psychiatric and neurological disorders. However, the extent to which localised TMS influences widespread brain networks remains unknown. To fill this gap, we will combine neuroimaging and TMS in healthy adults. The project will provide a scientific foundation for the use of brain stimulation as an effective tool for improving function in a range of clinical conditions.
Epigenetic Predictors Of Outcome In Malignant Glioma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$697,720.00
Summary
Human high grade gliomas (HGG) present as heterogeneous disease, primarily defined by the histologic appearance of the tumor cells.Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common illness and continues to have a very poor prognosis, despite the use of multimodality therapy including surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. We will use our existing biobank of specimens, clinical information and molecular investigation to identify factors that determine outcomes.
Patients with schizophrenia differ widely in their symptoms, long-term outcome and response to medication. However, most patients are treated with the same medications and interventions. This study aims to better facilitate the targeting of novel treatments to groups of patients (biotypes) that are likely to benefit most from a treatment. Groups of patients that share distinct patterns of deficits in brain connectivity will be delineated using state-of-the-art white matter imaging techniques.
Epigenetic Therapies To Differentiate And Eradicate Leukaemia Stem Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$674,315.00
Summary
Leukemia stem cells (LSC) are often resistant to conventional and targeted therapies and therefore serve as the seed for leukaemia relapse. The overall aim of this project is to use small molecule therapies to block the activity of a particular protein (LSD1) in LSC in order to differentiate them and expose a vulnerability to another epigenetic therapy called a BET inhibitor. Together, these epigenetic therapies will differentiate and eradicate LSC, leading to improved outcome in AML.
Chromosomal translocations in the MLL gene results in aggressive leukaemias. Several drugs developed to target proteins that interact with the MLL fusion proteins are now being tested in the clinic. Despite this progress, our understanding of how the MLL fusion proteins cause leukaemia remains incomplete. In particular, it is unclear how the MLL fusion protein drives the development of leukaemia. In this project I will address these important issues with cell and molecular biology methods.
Systems Biology Of Asthma Development In Early Childhood
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$763,800.00
Summary
Recent studies have established that both human genetic susceptibility and viral infections during early childhood are important drivers of asthma development. It has also been noted that asthmatics’ airways are colonized with different bacteria to non-asthmatics. In this project we will examine how genetic susceptibility and interactions between bacteria and viruses in children's airways promote the development of allergy and asthma.
Robust Bioinformatics For Predicting Bacterial Pathogens From Microbiome Sequencing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$644,151.00
Summary
We propose to develop new methods for the identification of microbial pathogens using High Throughput DNA Sequencing (HTS). Study of the microbiome - the genes encoded by the assemblage of microbial species present in an environment - using HTS technologies is revolutionising our understanding of human-microbe interactions. Our proposed work includes fundamental computational and theoretical advances and applying these techniques to solve critical problems in pathogen detection.
A Universal Clinical Test For Gene Fusions In Blood Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$628,001.00
Summary
Mis-repair of broken chromosomes results in gene fusion and is a common feature of blood cancers. Current tests are only capable of detecting well-known gene fusions and are incapable of identifying new fusion events or fusion variations. We have developed a scientific technique, termed CaptureSeq, that can address these issues. We propose to use this technique as the foundation for a single clinical test for blood cancers, capable of detecting all possible fusion variations – known and unknown.
Unlocking Hidden Cancer Drivers Using Transcriptome Data
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$700,473.00
Summary
New sequencing technologies allow us to get an unbiased look at the molecular signalling in a tumour. However this information is very complex and need specialised methods in statistic and computation in order to make new discoveries. Here will will develop analysis methods to find novel transcriptional variants in cancer and then test them in the lab in order to understand if our discoveries are responsible for causing cancer.
Integrative Genomics And Prediction Of Cardiovascular Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$766,820.00
Summary
Technologies that measure whole molecular systems are just beginning to reveal the complexity of living organisms and the underlying molecular networks that govern them. Cardiovascular diseases emerge out of these networks as a result of genetic and molecular perturbations. This project aims to characterize the role molecular networks play in cardiovascular disease risk as well as how they react to genetic risk factors. In doing so, it will identify potential therapeutics and personalized approa ....Technologies that measure whole molecular systems are just beginning to reveal the complexity of living organisms and the underlying molecular networks that govern them. Cardiovascular diseases emerge out of these networks as a result of genetic and molecular perturbations. This project aims to characterize the role molecular networks play in cardiovascular disease risk as well as how they react to genetic risk factors. In doing so, it will identify potential therapeutics and personalized approaches to target pathogenesis.Read moreRead less