Pathophysiological Correlates In Smokers And Smoking-related Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$283,500.00
Summary
Smoking-related chronic airway narrowing (COPD) is a common and major illness. Research on the characteristics of the actual pathological process in the airways in smokers and COPD using direct tissue sample is relatively new. Data is currently limited and rather contradictory. In this grant we will recruit a spectrum of smokers and COPD patients typical of those in the Australian community and will be undertaking a detailed analysis of the cellular and some vascular structural changes in the ai ....Smoking-related chronic airway narrowing (COPD) is a common and major illness. Research on the characteristics of the actual pathological process in the airways in smokers and COPD using direct tissue sample is relatively new. Data is currently limited and rather contradictory. In this grant we will recruit a spectrum of smokers and COPD patients typical of those in the Australian community and will be undertaking a detailed analysis of the cellular and some vascular structural changes in the airway wall. Both cellular and vascular changes will be related to the fixed and reversible component of airway obstruction. Reversible changes with smoking cessation will be studied. A very novel feature will be a preliminary assessment of the utility of proteomics for assessment of airway pathology.Read moreRead less
The Micro-structural Basis Of Bone Loss And Fragility After Menopause: A Longitudinal Co-twin Control Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$873,950.00
Summary
Every woman becomes postmenopausal. Not all lose bone or sustain fractures after menopause. We will identify women who lose bone and those who don't and so identify women at risk for fracture so that they can be targeted for treatment and identify those who do not need to be treated. This will be done by measuring bone structure and how strong the bone is using a new, safe, quick technology that can be used in clinical practice
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a smoking-induced lung disease that is the fourth leading cause of death in Australia. The immune system is highly likely to play an important role in the progression of this condition, because of the frequency of respiratory infections that occur. We will examine in detail the immune response of COPD patients, examining specific genes and proteins that are important in the defence against bacteria. Blood samples will be obtained from people with C ....Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a smoking-induced lung disease that is the fourth leading cause of death in Australia. The immune system is highly likely to play an important role in the progression of this condition, because of the frequency of respiratory infections that occur. We will examine in detail the immune response of COPD patients, examining specific genes and proteins that are important in the defence against bacteria. Blood samples will be obtained from people with COPD who are stable. We will then obtain further blood samples when there is a flare-up of the lung condition, and during recovery. We will compare the results from the blood samples, with variations in the genes that people carry. Information about individual differences in the body's response to infection would help us to better understand how COPD develops, and to initiate research on new methods of diagnosis and treatment of COPD.Read moreRead less
Studies On The Expression Of Muscarinic Receptors: Implications For The Pathology Of Schizophrenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$498,791.00
Summary
Schizophrenia is a severe psychiatric disorder that affects approximately 1% of the population. This project will help define changes in the molecules in the brain of subjects with schizophrenia which are likely to be involved in two symptoms of the disorder, the psychoses and cognitive deficits. Understanding the cause of the cognitive deficits of schizophrenia is a high priority because they are the most disabilitating symptom of the disorder and do not respond to current drug treatments.
Restoring Skeletal Muscle In An Experimental Model Of COPD By Targeting The IGF-1-myostatin-macrophage Axis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$508,183.00
Summary
Most people think that the serious disabilities of COPD (emphysema) patients follows damage to their lungs but wasted muscles may be even more important. We can not regrow lung but we have found a way that might help regrow muscle. We plan to use stem cells to make one of the body's own cells called 'macrophages' and genetically engineer these cells to help deliver healing proteins directly into the muscle. Making muscle stronger will help COPD patients live longer and improve quality of life.