Multipotent Stem Cells Derived From Postimplantation Mouse Embryos: Evaluation Of Germ Layer Differentiation Potential
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$788,818.00
Summary
This study of the properties of cells that can differentiate into specific lineages provides useful insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms for the specification of these progenitors from the pluripotent stem cells. The procurement of tissue-specific precursor cells that are capable of self-renewing and population expansion is a critical pre-requisite for achieving directed differentiation of stem cells into therapeutically useful cells for tissue replacement and regeneration.
A Pragmatic Randomised Clinical Trial Of Nicotine Vaporisers Added To Smoking Cessation Treatment For Priority Populations Living With Comorbidities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,499,145.00
Summary
Smoking is a leading cause of early death for people with certain health conditions because they are more likely to smoke and are also at greater risk of tobacco-related disease. This clinical trial will test whether encouraging people living with Hepatitis C Virus, people on opiate substitution therapy and people living with HIV who smoke to use nicotine vaporisers long-term, in addition to current smoking cessation treatments, will help them to stay abstinent from smoking.
Prevention And Treatment Of Bone Infection With CSA-90
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$350,983.00
Summary
Bone infections are a major challenge to treat, especially with the rise of drug resistant “superbugs”. We have access to a new agent, CSA-90, that has dual properties of being anti-microbial (antibiotic) and helps encourage bone growth. This project aims to expand upon our prior research and test CSA-90 for the treatment of chronic bone infections. We will also look at applying this technology to joint replacements and this drug may be particularly useful for coating orthopaedic implants.
Effects Of The Histone Acetyltransferases MOZ And QKF On Chromatin Modifications
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$349,576.00
Summary
Cancer of the blood (leukaemia) can be caused by rearrangements of the genetic material (DNA) that cause fusions between ordinarily separate proteins. Monocytic leukaemia zinc finger (MOZ) fusion proteins cause aggressive leukaemia. We have shown that MOZ associates with DNA packaged with histone proteins into chromatin, changes histones and gene activity. We will examine how MOZ and the closely related QKF protein affect the chromatin to elucidate the function of MOZ and QKF.
Efficacy Of Education And Advice Delivered By Text Message To Aid Smoking Cessation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$538,395.00
Summary
A high proportion of smokers indicate a desire to stop smoking and report having made attempts to quit. However, most attempts are not successful and new methods are needed to support motivated smokers and improve success rates. This project evaluates the use of text messages to deliver advice and support to smokers motivated to stop smoking. We aim to understand if and how this promosing new intervention helps smokers to quit.
Understanding The Cardio-protective Actions Of The AT2R In Females: Shifting Gears Between AT1 And AT2 Receptor Balance Of Function With Relaxin.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,049,288.00
Summary
Women are protected from cardiovascular disease as compared to age-matched men, an effect lost with age. Understanding protective factors that act in females could be used to treat hypertension, heart failure and stroke in males at all ages, and maintain protection in elderly women. Our studies aim to determine if relaxin, an ovarian hormone, can promote cardiovascular health in women.
Neural Basis Of The Thermal Instability That Leads To Menopausal Hot Flushes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$330,535.00
Summary
Hot flushes and night sweats affect 80-90% of women during the menopause transition. In 20% of women these symptoms are severe. The mechanisms are not well understood, and non-hormonal treatments are urgently needed. We can investigate the basic brain mechanisms in an animal model, the sheep. The findings will elucidate the mechanisms that disrupt normal temperature regulation and thus lead the way to better therapies for this common, and often debilitating, condition. .
Use Of Oral Enzymes To Treat Carbohydrate Intolerance: Adjunct Therapy To The Low FODMAP Dietary Treatment Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$610,197.00
Summary
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting 1 in 7 Australians and fermentation of poorly digested short chain carbohydrates are major dietary triggers. The lack of certain digestive enzymes is a major reason why some carbohydrates are not digested. This project will explore the potential use of oral enzyme supplements to assist with the digestion of these indigestible carbohydrates with the potential for use as adjunct therapy to treat gut symptoms associated with IBS.
Neurons within the wall of the bowel play an essential role in gut motility. A number of motility disorders are caused by diseased enteric neurons, but there are currently no effective treatments for these diseases. We will use animal models of a pediatric motility disorder to examine whether stem cells implanted into the colon can generate neurons and restore normal motility.
The Role Of Micro-RNAs In Human Cardiomyocyte Specification
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$345,534.00
Summary
The heart is the first organ to form and is vital for the survival of the developing embryo. We are seeking to improve our knowledge of the process of heart formation. Understanding how primitive cells become cardiac cells may pave the way for production of “tailor made” cardiac cells for treatment of a weakened heart. It may also give insights to the causes of congenital heart defects (such as “hole in the heart” babies), which are the most common type of birth defects.