My research focuses on the mechanisms responsible for diabetic kidney and heart complications with an emphasis on identifying novel targets as the basis for developing new treatment to reduce the burden of these complications. It is hypothesised that diabetic complications arise as a result of a number of key factors, the most important being chronic elevation of blood glucose.
Delineating The Role Of Advanced Glycation In Diabetes And Nephropathy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,023.00
Summary
Type 1 diabetes affects more than 140,000 Australians and up to 40% of children and adolescents with the disease develop complications including kidney disease. Excess blood sugar as the result of diabetes can accelerate a biochemical process called advanced glycation, which permanently alters proteins affecting their structure and function, which I have previously shown as contributors to kidney damage in diabetes. Recently, however, I have discovered that this biochemical process is also invol ....Type 1 diabetes affects more than 140,000 Australians and up to 40% of children and adolescents with the disease develop complications including kidney disease. Excess blood sugar as the result of diabetes can accelerate a biochemical process called advanced glycation, which permanently alters proteins affecting their structure and function, which I have previously shown as contributors to kidney damage in diabetes. Recently, however, I have discovered that this biochemical process is also involved in the development of type 1 diabetes itself.Read moreRead less
Identifying Novel Targets To Treat And Prevent Diabetic Complications
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$697,209.00
Summary
Diabetes is the leading cause for kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplantation. Diabetic patients also have a higher risk to suffer from heart attacks, stroke and amputations in particular once kidney damage occurs. Current strategies fail to completely protect patients from complications. My research will uncover knowledge gaps in our understanding of diabetes complications, identify new targets ultimately leading to urgently needed more effective treatments and prevention strategies to ....Diabetes is the leading cause for kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplantation. Diabetic patients also have a higher risk to suffer from heart attacks, stroke and amputations in particular once kidney damage occurs. Current strategies fail to completely protect patients from complications. My research will uncover knowledge gaps in our understanding of diabetes complications, identify new targets ultimately leading to urgently needed more effective treatments and prevention strategies to reduce the burden of disease in diabetes.Read moreRead less
Molecular Genetic Risk Factors And Mechanisms In Blinding Eye Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,010.00
Summary
This project aims to understand the genetic causes of blinding eye diseases. We have recently identified genetic variation that contributes to the risk of glaucoma and diabetic eye disease. We are exploring the mechanisms through which this leads to disease by looking at differences in the genes in patients with disease compared to unaffected individuals. We hope to be able to identify genes that could be the target of new therapies to prevent blindness and visual impairment in the community.
Investigating Pathways To Alleviate The Burden Of Diabetes And Kidney Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$622,655.00
Summary
Diabetes affects more than 1.2 million Australians and up to 40% of these will develop complications including kidney disease. Excess blood sugar as the result of diabetes can accelerate a biochemical process called advanced glycation, which permanently alters proteins affecting their structure and function. My research will focus on identifying new therapies to target advanced glycation as well as dysfunction of cell power stations, mitochondria which is caused by advanced glycation.
Interactions Between Vasoactive, Epigenetic And Immunogenic Pathways In The Development Of Diabetic Retinopathy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$664,584.00
Summary
In our community, diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of vision loss in people of working age. As the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy increases, there is an urgent need to understand the factors that cause its development in order to develop new treatments. This proposal will explore the contribution of hormones, the memory of retinal cells to high glucose and stress, and the immune system to diabetic retinopathy. The goal is to develop new and improved treatments for Australians.
I am an epidemiologist investigating: 1) the frequency, pathogenesis, risk factors and impacts of common age-related eye disease, particularly focused on the four leading causes of blindness: age-related macular degeneration, cataract, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy; 2) the potential for screening and clinical diagnostic value of retinal imaging and retinal vascular signs as predictors of major systemic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Research Fellowship: Protection Of Myocardial Function In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,010.00
Summary
Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of death in Australia. A/Prof Rebecca Ritchie heads Heart Failure Pharmacology at Baker IDI. Her research focuses on new drug strategies to maintain heart function in response to diabetes & heart attack, common precursors of HF. Many of the treatments discovered from this work are naturally-occurring antioxidants; enhancing their activity will ultimately reduce progression to HF & death in the >3 million Australians affected by these disorders.