How Does Sudden Cardiac Death Occur In Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,312,606.00
Summary
Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a leading cause of sudden cardiac death but the mechanisms for the induction of arrhythmia are unknown. This proposal has the potential to impact sudden death in the young and enable significant expansion of Australia’s research capacity into the treatment of familial hypertrophic heart disease in humans.
Investigating CRAC Channel Assembly And Interactions Important In Immunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$398,247.00
Summary
#ERROR: -Transmission and amplification of signals between subcellular compartments underpins cell function. Calcium ions are cellular messengers that can cross Membranes using specialised pores. CRAC Calcium channels in particular are critical for immune system function,and partner Proteins switch them on and off in a feedback response to compartmental Calcium levels. the objective of my research is to investigate how opening and closing of the CRAC pore is triggered at a molecular level.
Understanding Uterine Contractility: What Can We Learn From Obesity?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,792.00
Summary
The incidence of failure to progress in labour has increased in recent years, being linked to the rise in obesity. The result is a significant escalation in the rate of delivery by Caesarean Section (CS) which increases the risk of serious complications during subsequent pregnancies. We have identified five dysfunctional systems associated with poor uterine contraction. We now aim to determine the mechanisms underlying these dysfunctional systems, particularly those mechanisms in common.
Dynamic Action Potential Clamp Studies Of Drugs That Affect The Cardiac Action Potential
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$343,976.00
Summary
The development of drugs to treat and.or prevent cardiac arrhythmias have been plagued by the side-effect of actually increasing the risk of sudden death. One of the reasons for this is that drugs that work well in one part of the heart may cause problems in another part. We are developing a system called “dynamic action potential clamp” that will make it easier for researchers to assess the effect of drugs in different regions of both normal and diseased hearts.
Anthracyclines Disrupt Ca2+ Signalling In Cardiomyocytes: A Contribution To Cardiac Toxicity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$525,620.00
Summary
Anthracyclines are one of the most effective drugs used in chemotherapy, but cause side effects resulting in serious heart problems which can be fatal. The link between anthracycline therapy and the problems they cause in the heart is not fully defined. We will investigate mechanisms leading to these side effects and define specific targets of anthracyclines in the heart. It is hoped this will lead to the design of new drugs which counteract the side effects of anthracycline treatment.
The Effects Of Human Epilepsy Mutations On Synaptic GABA-A Receptors Studied By Localization-based Superresolution Microscopy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$524,215.00
Summary
The genetic epilepsies are debilitating neurological disorders that are frequently associated with mutations in genes encoding neurotransmitter-gated receptors in the brain. The goal of this project is to understand mechanisms that cause changes in neuronal communication and lead to epilepsy on a single receptor level. This will lead to an improved understanding of the mechanisms of epileptogenesis and new insights into ways of treating different epilepsies.
The Role Of Force-sensing Ion Channels In Melanoma Migration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$553,848.00
Summary
Metastasis of melanoma cells away from the primary tumour site carries a very poor patient prognosis.This research aims to characterise a novel signalling pathway that can regulate the migration (movement) of melanoma cells. This signalling pathway depends on force-sensing platforms that can rapidly convert physical inputs from the environment into an electrical signal within the cell. We are working to understand how these force-sensors function.
The cells that produce and maintain our cartilage, known as chondrocytes, do so by sensing changes in the mechanical environment, but precisely how chondrocytes detect these changes is not known. We are investigating the role of ion channels that are opened in direct response to mechanical movements within the cartilage.This project plans to identify the specific molecules that are participating in this process and to determine if they are therapeutic targets for treatment of osteoarthritis
Role Of Calcium-activated Potassium Channels In Neuronal Excitability, Synaptic Plasticity And Sensory Processing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$612,272.00
Summary
Disturbances in brain function, as occur in diseases such as epilepsy and schizophrenia, are associated with abnormal electrical activity. This electrical activity leads to increases in calcium inside nerve cells. In this project we plan to investigate how changes in calcium inside nerve cells regulates electrical activity, and how this impacts on the capacity of the brain to process and learn new information.
Nerve Excitability Assessment: A Novel Biomarker For The Early Detection Of Diabetic Neuropathy.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,203.00
Summary
Australia has one of the highest rates of diabetes in the world. Diabetes may be complicated by the development of nerve damage, causing weakness and pain in the upper and lower limbs. The cause remains unclear and there are no tools available for its early detection. This study will provide further information about the cause of diabetic neuropathy and will investigate more sophisticated means for its early detection.