The role of the immune system in pain is emerging from recent discoveries, and may hold the key to novel pain treatments. Most people experience brief gut infections from food or contagion without long-term consequences. Many others suffer symptoms for years afterwards - probably the best example of immune-based pain. Our project investigates how immune cells communicate with sensory nerves, and how these communications change from both angles after gut infection or inflammation.
Transient Receptor Potential Channels (TRPs) As Transducers And Targets In Primary Visceral Afferents
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$669,130.00
Summary
Transient receptor potential, or TRP channels, are involved in generating many of the sensations we perceive, such as heat, cold, touch and pain. Some TRP channels are specialized to signal pain from visceral organs, which we must investigate if we are to find treatments for visceral pain, which are currently lacking.
The Role Of Wheat Gluten In The Genesis Of Gastrointestinal Symptoms And Fatigue In Patients With Non-coeliac Gluten Intolerance.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$686,242.00
Summary
Currently �gluten- and wheat-intolerances� are poorly recognised by the medical profession and yet many Australians who do not have coeliac disease claim to be wheat- or gluten-intolerant. The most common complaints relate to chronic fatigue and gut symptoms such as wind and bloating. Our research team have new and recent evidence that wheat-gluten does trigger symptoms in some patients who suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome. This project aims to improve our understanding in this area.
Ion Channels Underlying Inflammatory And Post-inflammatory Visceral Mechanical Hypersensitivity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$453,439.00
Summary
Inflammation causes tissue damage that triggers ion channels within sensory nerve fibres to produce greater signals in response to mechanical events, causing acute pain. In chronic pain, although the inflamed tissue has healed, sensory nerve fibres fail to "reset" back to normal. Often chronic pain is more severe than acute pain. This project will identify which ion channels are responsible for signalling acute and chronic visceral pain, explaining why sensory nerve fibres fail to reset.
The applicant aims to improve treatment of digestive disease by identifying and understanding the interactions between the nervous system and the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, with emphasis on sensory systems.
Immune Activation In Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$471,597.00
Summary
Up to 30% of Australians are estimated to suffer from Functional Gastrointestinal Diseases such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Functional Dyspepsia, but the cause of these chronic diseases is unknown. Alterations in the immune system are increasingly suggested, but little is known about how this leads to the debilitating symptoms of discomfort and pain. This project combines immunology studies with neuroscience to determine the key mediators involved and how they communicate with nerves.
The Role Of Dietary FODMAPs In The Genesis Of Symptoms In Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome And Crohns Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$418,818.00
Summary
Irritable bowel syndrome occurs in one in seven Australian adults. Crohn's disease affects 0.2% of the population. Both conditions affect the young and productive members of our society and are characterised by lower abdominal pain, bloating, wind and altered bowel habit. Our team has identified dietary triggers that may be responsible for the induction of symptoms in the majority of patients. These triggers involve a group of carbohydrates (FODMAPs) that are found in a wide variety of food.
A vitamin-sized capsule, containing gas sensors, is to be fully developed for assessing the state of health and diagnosing the diseases relevant to gastrointestinal tract. The capsule travels along the tract, transmitting information about the gas species generated by the microorganisms of the gut, which is closely associated with the health of the human under surveillance. The information will be invaluable for diagnostics and adjusting the diet to mitigate and cure the diseases of the guts.
Pesonalised Risk Prediction For Severe Treatment-related Gastrointestinal Toxicity In Paediatric Cancer Patients Using Pre-treatment Gut Microbiome Analysis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,768.00
Summary
The gut is home to trillions of good and bad bacteria, critical to human health. Each person has a different balance of bacteria, unique to their gut, which shapes their immune system and susceptibility to disease. I will investigate how the unique gut bacteria, in children with blood cancer, can be used to predict which children will develop severe gut side effects (diarrhoea) from their chemotherapy. This will identify high-risk children, enable personalised treatment and improve survival.