The Elimination Of Hepatitis C As A Global Public Health Threat
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$7,001,475.00
Summary
In Australia over 230,000 people live with chronic HCV infection, with an estimated annual health care cost of over > $6.5 billion if left untreated. New highly effective HCV medications - direct acting antivirals (DAAs) have a cure rate of > 90%. DAAs will revolutionise HCV care - we can now stop HCV related deaths and transmission making HCV elimination possible. This Program Grant will directly contribute to the global response to HCV elimination and Australia achieving elimination by 2 ....In Australia over 230,000 people live with chronic HCV infection, with an estimated annual health care cost of over > $6.5 billion if left untreated. New highly effective HCV medications - direct acting antivirals (DAAs) have a cure rate of > 90%. DAAs will revolutionise HCV care - we can now stop HCV related deaths and transmission making HCV elimination possible. This Program Grant will directly contribute to the global response to HCV elimination and Australia achieving elimination by 2030.Read moreRead less
Improving The Health Of People With Problematic Drug Use: Hepatitis C And Drug Dependence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$9,060,140.00
Summary
Problematic drug use is the major risk factor to health among Australians aged 15-49 years. The dual harms of drug dependence and hepatitis C virus (HCV) faced by people who use drugs compel improved drug dependence management and HCV prevention and treatment. This Program Grant will improve the lives of people with problematic drug use by investigating health impacts of drug use and evaluating new strategies for managing drug dependence and eliminating HCV among people who use drugs.
Hepatitis C affects a quarter of a million Australians, causing insidious but progressive liver disease which culminates in liver failure or cancer. There is no vaccine and prevention programs have limited effectiveness, but new antiviral therapies now offer high rates of cure. This Program will evaluate strategies to improve the health of those affected and prevent new infections by better understanding of the virus and the body’s immune response, including scarring and liver cancer formation.
Translating Membrane Proteins Into Therapeutics; From Bedside To Bench
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$9,466,000.00
Summary
Membrane proteins are the principal gatekeepers for control of cellular response, with G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) the largest family of cell surface proteins. These proteins are critically important for pathophysiological control, and are a major target for drug discovery. Nonetheless drug attrition due to lack of clinical efficacy remains high. We are combining cell biology, clinical management and drug discovery science to enable more effective therapeutic translation.
This research program aims to gain a detailed understanding of the organisation of the cell surface at the molecular level. The cell surface is organised into domains with distinct functions. Visualisation of these domains, identifying their important components, and understanding how they form and function will have huge importance for therapeutic strategies aimed at combatting the changes associated with cell transformation in cancer and in other human diseases such as muscular dystrophy.
Atherosclerosis - The Key Roles Of HDL, Cell Cholesterol Metabolism And Vascular Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$7,085,050.00
Summary
Atherosclerosis, an accumulation of cholesterol in the artery wall, is a major cause of illness and premature death worldwide. It is caused by conditions such as low levels of the protective high density lipoproteins (HDLs), diabetes, smoking and abnormal function of arteries, all of which are linked to disorders of cholesterol metabolism. With our expertise in HDLs, cholesterol metabolism and artery function, our research will lead to the development of novel strategies for early detection and ....Atherosclerosis, an accumulation of cholesterol in the artery wall, is a major cause of illness and premature death worldwide. It is caused by conditions such as low levels of the protective high density lipoproteins (HDLs), diabetes, smoking and abnormal function of arteries, all of which are linked to disorders of cholesterol metabolism. With our expertise in HDLs, cholesterol metabolism and artery function, our research will lead to the development of novel strategies for early detection and prevention of atherosclerosis and heart disease.Read moreRead less
Understanding The Major Class Of Cell Surface Drug Targets
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$7,595,840.00
Summary
G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) form the largest family of receptors and drug targets in living organisms. Currently, the major reason that new drugs fail to reach the clinic is lack of appropriate drug effect (approx. 30%). Thus, we need a better understanding of how GPCRs work and how this relates to disease. Our Program addresses this knowledge gap, using GPCR models that are relevant to treatment of metabolic, inflammatory, cardiovascular and central nervous system disease.