Defining The Role Of The Ubiquitin Protein Ligase Nedd4 In Vascular Development.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$702,166.00
Summary
Blood and lymphatic vessels are vital components of the cardiovascular system. Abnormalities in the growth and development of these vessels are associated with human disorders including cancer and cardiovascular disease. The focus of this application is to characterise the role of the ubiquitin protein ligase Nedd4 in vascular development, with the aim of identifying targets to which novel therapeutics for the treatment of blood and lymphatic vascular diseases could be generated.
Novel Interventions To Address Methamphetamines In Aboriginal Communities, Including A Randomised Trial Of A Web Based Therapeutic Tool Used To Treat Dependence In Clinical Settings.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,177,908.00
Summary
Methamphetamine use in Aboriginal communities has gained much media attention, despite limited research studies to ascertain the full extent of its use and its impact. We propose a randomised trial of a web based therapeutic tool for use in Aboriginal Medical Services to treat clients using methamphetamines. In addition we will characterise the health and well-being of Aboriginal people who use methamphetamines and trial unique Aboriginal community led interventions to address methamphetamines.
Characterising Signals Important For Lymphangiogenesis During Development And Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$604,938.00
Summary
Lymphatic vessels are a vital component of the cardiovascular system. Abnormalities in the growth and development of lymphatic vessels are associated with human disorders including cancer, lymphoedema and inflammatory diseases. The focus of this application is to characterise signals that direct the construction of lymphatic vessels, with the aim of identifying targets to which novel therapeutics for the treatment of lymphatic vascular diseases could be generated.
Preclinical Development Of TLR Signalling Inhibitors For Prevention Of Preterm Labour And Fetal Inflammatory Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$690,821.00
Summary
Preterm birth affects 8% of Australian births and is a major cause of infant and child health problems. Therapies to prevent or delay prematurity are urgently required. This study will investigate new drugs that suppress the triggers of preterm labour. We will evaluate drug effects in mice and human placental tissue, to demonstrate safety and fetal protection from inflammatory injury that occurs with prematurity. Successful completion of the study is expected to lead to clinical trials in women.
Understanding How GATA2 Controls Lymphatic Vessel Valve Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$697,942.00
Summary
Mutations in the GATA2 gene cause human lymphoedema as a result of the crucial role that GATA2 plays in controlling the expression of genes important for building functional lymphatic vessels. Here we aim to gain a complete picture of the cellular and molecular events that are controlled by GATA2 in lymphatic vessels and in particular, in lymphatic vessel valves.
Multistage Vaccines For The Prevention Of Tuberculosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$884,290.00
Summary
Almost two million people die from tuberculosis (TB) each year. The current vaccine, BCG, is ineffective at controlling TB and the type of immune response needed to protect against the disease is poorly understood. We have discovered new antigens of the TB bacterium, and we will combine them with novel delivery strategies to develop new TB vaccines. We will also determine the type of immune response needed to protect against TB, which will aid progression of vaccines into clinical trials.
Defining The Role Of GATA2 In Lymphatic Vascular Development As A Means To Understanding How GATA2 Mutations Predispose To Human Lymphedema.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$718,890.00
Summary
We have discovered that mutations in the transcription factor GATA2 result in human primary lymphedema, a debilitating disorder resulting from the failure of lymphatic vessels to return tissue fluid to the bloodstream. The goal of this application is to define the role of GATA2 in lymphatic vessels, in order to understand how GATA2 mutations cause lymphedema. Ultimately, we aim to identify targets to which desperately needed therapeutics for the treatment of lymphedema could be generated.
Inflammatory Cytokines As Causal Agents In Peri-conception Programming Of Offspring Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$604,046.00
Summary
Events at conception set the trajectory of fetal developmental that will determine health of children after birth and in later life. Susceptibility to obesity and metabolic conditions is established at this very early time. This project will define the molecular signals affecting the embryo in the event of maternal or paternal infection, diet and stress. The results will help us devise health advice for intending parents to improve child health and help prevent onset of metabolic disorders.
Defining The Role Of IGF-1 As A Novel Angiocrine Factor In The Development And Treament Of Common Craniofacial Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$573,848.00
Summary
1 in 1000 children are born with a small jaw, which requires invasive surgery for treatment. We identified that defects in blood vessel development in the jaw underlie some cases of these craniofacial defects. We found that factors secreted from the major artery in the jaw can promote jaw growth, and our research proposal aims to identify what exactly these factors are. These factors have the potential to be used to therapeutically treat children with a small jaw to help it grow correctly.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is one of the leading causes of chronic pain both world-wide and in Australia for which there is a lack of treatments. Chronic pain arises from nerve fibres in the colon wall, which fail to 'reset' back to normal following inflammation. Targeting these nerve endings with drugs is a key advance in IBS treatment. This project will identify selective oxytocin analogues that act in the colon to lower pain in sensory nerves thus providing efficacious pain relief in IBS.