Australian Genomewide Association Study In Osteoporosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$882,722.00
Summary
Osteoporosis is a common condition in which bone strength is reduced due to reduced amount and quality of bone. Reduced bone strength means an increased risk of fracture. Osteoporotic fractures occur in 1 in 2 women and 1 in 3 men in their lifetime, and the likelihood of suffering osteoporotic fracture increases with age. Most of the risk of developing osteoporosis is genetic, but few of the genes involved have been identified. Our goal is to identify those genes.
Mapping Of Genetic Traits In Experimental Models Using Databases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$237,750.00
Summary
The project aims to detect genes that influence human traits. These traits could be a disease such as diabetes or they may be much less sinister, representing hearing range as an example. Many of these traits are difficult to detect because they are governed by many genes which may also interact with the environment to influence the trait. In order to detect genes in these traits we would like to simplify the complex interactions by eliminating the environment as a potential cause or concentrati ....The project aims to detect genes that influence human traits. These traits could be a disease such as diabetes or they may be much less sinister, representing hearing range as an example. Many of these traits are difficult to detect because they are governed by many genes which may also interact with the environment to influence the trait. In order to detect genes in these traits we would like to simplify the complex interactions by eliminating the environment as a potential cause or concentrating on a particular population where the incidence appears to be much greater. In human populations we have no control over the environmental exposures and we cannot restrict their movements. For this reason many genetic studies have been conducted in mice. Many strains of mice have been generated. Their environment can be strictly controlled, enabling a much better identification of disease genes. Since mice and humans share much of their genome they also share many of their genes and are often afflicted by the same diseases. Thus if we identify genes in mice we have a very good chance of identifying the equivalent human genes. The completion of sequencing for the human genome is being closely followed by the completion of the mouse genome, precisely because mice have been used for over 100 years for genetic studies. The data generated from these sequencing efforts and prior genetic studies is now accumulating in vast databases. These databases of DNA information can be used to map genes for traits. The idea is to determine the trait measurement for many mice in different strains and compare these trait levels to the DNA state (genotype) of markers in the genome of the strains. If these are associated it indicates that the marker is situated close to a gene influencing the trait. This narrows the search considerably. Without this strategy we would have the daunting task of identifiying trait genes from many thousands of potential candidates.Read moreRead less
Investigating The Role Of Pigmentation Pathway Genes In Moliness And Melanoma Risk
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$943,545.00
Summary
Melanoma is an important cause of death in Australia and our generally light pigmentation in a geographical area of high sun exposure is a major factor in this. Our research increasingly points to certain pigmentation genes having a direct biochemical influence on cancer risk in addition to their risk via pigmentation. Understanding how the genes that deternine skin, hair and eye colour act to modify moliness and melanoma risk is important for public health prevention schemes.
A Genome Wide Association Study For Alcohol And Nicotine Addiction Susceptibility Genes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$872,816.00
Summary
Alcohol and nicotine addiction are major public health problems within Australia. As well as the personal and economic costs associated with dependence, there is a wide range of downstream health effects from heavy drinking and smoking. This is a proposal for a genome wide association study to systematically screen and identify genetic variants within the Australian population that affects an individual's liability to developing alcohol addiction, nicotine addiction or both.