A shared genetic basis for development of the nervous system and glands. Fruit flies possess strikingly similar versions of the genes that promote normal human development. The list of systems with genetic parallels between humans and fruit flies includes the respiratory and circulatory systems; cardiovascular development and disease; sleep; learning and memory; brain development and disease; taste, sight, smell and hearing. This project could add at least some human glands, the mucous-secreting ....A shared genetic basis for development of the nervous system and glands. Fruit flies possess strikingly similar versions of the genes that promote normal human development. The list of systems with genetic parallels between humans and fruit flies includes the respiratory and circulatory systems; cardiovascular development and disease; sleep; learning and memory; brain development and disease; taste, sight, smell and hearing. This project could add at least some human glands, the mucous-secreting goblet cells, to this list, providing a potentially useful model for studying human diseases associated with gland dysfunction. Read moreRead less
The role of virulence factors of Clostridium difficile in food animals. Disease caused by the bacterium Clostridium difficile are a significant food production animal and public health problem in many countries. Specific animal and human public health resources have been allocated in many countries in efforts to mitigate the growing epidemics. The study proposed in this application presents a significant opportunity to learn about the virulence factors of animal strains of this bacterium about w ....The role of virulence factors of Clostridium difficile in food animals. Disease caused by the bacterium Clostridium difficile are a significant food production animal and public health problem in many countries. Specific animal and human public health resources have been allocated in many countries in efforts to mitigate the growing epidemics. The study proposed in this application presents a significant opportunity to learn about the virulence factors of animal strains of this bacterium about which very little is known. This project will lead to rationally designed preventative and treatment strategies that apply to both animals and humans, thereby impeding epidemics caused by C. difficile in Australia.Read moreRead less
The development and evaluation of a new therapy for the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections in hospitals. The technology used in this project will enable products to be developed from the Australian dairy industry which may safely provide protection and treatment for diarrhoea acquired in hospitals for which there are few effective options. The product will be cost effective and can be used as a public health tool to control outbreaks in those most susceptible to severe disease.
Establishment of Therapeutically Relevant Animal Models and Markers for Crohn's Disease. Crohn's disease is a devastating life long disease, affecting 0.5% of the world population. There is urgent economic and social need to develop new and better drugs to treat the symptoms and underlying cause of this debilitating disease. Social benefits include the improved quality of life of sufferers that positively impacts society. Economic benefit includes income derived from commercialisation of rese ....Establishment of Therapeutically Relevant Animal Models and Markers for Crohn's Disease. Crohn's disease is a devastating life long disease, affecting 0.5% of the world population. There is urgent economic and social need to develop new and better drugs to treat the symptoms and underlying cause of this debilitating disease. Social benefits include the improved quality of life of sufferers that positively impacts society. Economic benefit includes income derived from commercialisation of research outcomes and the contribution this project makes to high value employment in the biotechnology sector.Read moreRead less
Fundamental theoretical and experimental investigation of cartilage mechanics. Arthritis and chronic joint symptoms are one of the leading causes of disability in the community, yet a fundamental understanding of joint mechanics has yet to be realised. The aim of this project is to develop a new state-of-the-art mathematical model describing cartilage behaviour in humans. The model will explain how activities like walking maintain healthy cartilage by transferring growth factors through the tiss ....Fundamental theoretical and experimental investigation of cartilage mechanics. Arthritis and chronic joint symptoms are one of the leading causes of disability in the community, yet a fundamental understanding of joint mechanics has yet to be realised. The aim of this project is to develop a new state-of-the-art mathematical model describing cartilage behaviour in humans. The model will explain how activities like walking maintain healthy cartilage by transferring growth factors through the tissue, and quantitatively explain how wear is minimised in cartilage through weeping lubrication. This model will progress our understanding of cartilage mechanics in health and disease, and so help Australians age well and productively.Read moreRead less
Plasticity of gastrointestinal vagal afferents. The aim of this project is to identify how leptin modulates specific subtypes of vagal afferent within the gut and the plasticity of this system under different dietary conditions. This proposed project will substantially increase understanding of the interactions between leptin, known to influence food intake, and vagal afferent satiety signals. It will also increase understanding of how these interactions alter in obesity and ultimately provide t ....Plasticity of gastrointestinal vagal afferents. The aim of this project is to identify how leptin modulates specific subtypes of vagal afferent within the gut and the plasticity of this system under different dietary conditions. This proposed project will substantially increase understanding of the interactions between leptin, known to influence food intake, and vagal afferent satiety signals. It will also increase understanding of how these interactions alter in obesity and ultimately provide targets and/or concepts for the pharmacotherapy of obesity.Read moreRead less
Structure and function of heterodimeric amino acid transporters. Recently a new family of amino acid transporters has been identified, the members of which are involved in the delivery of amino acids between cells and tissues. All members display a rather unusual structure in that they require two subunits to be functional. The main aim of this study is to investigate the interaction between large and small subunits. The study will give insight how membrane proteins form complexes in the membran ....Structure and function of heterodimeric amino acid transporters. Recently a new family of amino acid transporters has been identified, the members of which are involved in the delivery of amino acids between cells and tissues. All members display a rather unusual structure in that they require two subunits to be functional. The main aim of this study is to investigate the interaction between large and small subunits. The study will give insight how membrane proteins form complexes in the membrane and how these interactions affect the function of a complex membrane protein.Read moreRead less
Reg growth factors in gastric regeneration and disease. This project will obtain a more detailed knowledge of the role that growth factors play in helping the lining of the stomach repair itself after damage caused by disease. Growth factors may also play a role in causing stomach cancer. To do this we will examine the expression of growth factors in number of stomach diseases and cancer and assay the ability of growth factors to promote the growth of stomach cells.
This work is that it will co ....Reg growth factors in gastric regeneration and disease. This project will obtain a more detailed knowledge of the role that growth factors play in helping the lining of the stomach repair itself after damage caused by disease. Growth factors may also play a role in causing stomach cancer. To do this we will examine the expression of growth factors in number of stomach diseases and cancer and assay the ability of growth factors to promote the growth of stomach cells.
This work is that it will contribute to our knowledge of how cell growth in the stomach is controlled under normal circumstances and in the very common pathological conditions of tissue damage, inflammation and cancer. It may also help us understand how inflammation can in some circumstances lead to cancer.Read moreRead less
Single vesicle dynamics and the control of secretion. This project investigates secretion and tests a new model for secretory control. Its outcomes will further our knowledge in this important area and may be significant in the longer term for the treatment of secretory diseases.
Central pathways regulating visceral pain. This project aims to investigate the neural pathways within the spinal cord and brain processing colorectal pain perception. The project aims to identify the spinal cord neurons relaying colorectal signalling into the brain and the influence of descending modulation from the brainstem upon these pathways. The outcomes will greatly benefit fundamental understanding of the central pathways processing visceral pain.