Genetic Control Of Susceptibility To Autoimmune Gastritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$346,945.00
Summary
Autoimmune gastritis is caused by the immune system targeting and destroying the stomach lining. We have developed a mouse model of the causes of gastritis and mapped the two major genes that can control susceptibility. This project involves the final stages of identifying these genes and determining how they cause disease.
Asthma Genetics: Dissecting The Missing Heritability And Biology
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$451,716.00
Summary
The goal of this application is to apply state-of-the-art technologies to (1) identify genes that increase the risk of developing asthma and (2) help translate this information into knowledge that can be used to improve disease management. I will achieve this by analysing data generated by the Australian Asthma Genetics Consortium and international collaborators.
Detection Of Susceptibility Genes For Multiple Sclerosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$589,073.00
Summary
Multiple sclerosis is one of the most common chronic diseases of the nervous system. It usually starts in young adulthood and continues with episodes of severe disability from which partial recovery leads in many patients to difficulties with walking, balance, speech, bladder control and other neurologic functions. The disease inflicts a severe burden on both patients and the community. There is currently no preventive treatment and therapy is expensive (interferon at $20,000 p.a.) and of limite ....Multiple sclerosis is one of the most common chronic diseases of the nervous system. It usually starts in young adulthood and continues with episodes of severe disability from which partial recovery leads in many patients to difficulties with walking, balance, speech, bladder control and other neurologic functions. The disease inflicts a severe burden on both patients and the community. There is currently no preventive treatment and therapy is expensive (interferon at $20,000 p.a.) and of limited benefit in stopping further damage and of no benefit in reversing existing damage. New treatments will come through a full understanding of how the immune system attacks the brain to cause MS. There is a strong inherited component in MS and the discovery of the genes responsible should speed up the quest to understand the cause of the disease. The proposed studies involve international collaboration co-ordinated from Cambridge University, UK, in which the entire human genome will be screened looking for the MS genes using world s best available technology. Funding of this grant will allow Australia an equal seat at the table for this collaboration involving 17 countries. No individual country can recruit enough patients and hence this international effort is essential. It is expected that the understanding of the cause of MS will lead to new treatments that are effective and with low side effects.Read moreRead less
Clinical And Microbiological Predictors Of Post-operative Crohn's Disease Recurrence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$120,253.00
Summary
The multi-centre randomised controlled POCER (Post-Operative Crohn’s Disease Recurrence) trial has shown that following “curative” surgery, the anti-tumour necrosis factor drug adalimumab prevents recurrent disease in almost all patients. I will examine the multiple factors that contribute to disease recurrence including assessment of mucosal microbiota, faecal biomarkers and serological antibody markers in patients with Crohn's disease. Results will improve clinical outcomes and change internat ....The multi-centre randomised controlled POCER (Post-Operative Crohn’s Disease Recurrence) trial has shown that following “curative” surgery, the anti-tumour necrosis factor drug adalimumab prevents recurrent disease in almost all patients. I will examine the multiple factors that contribute to disease recurrence including assessment of mucosal microbiota, faecal biomarkers and serological antibody markers in patients with Crohn's disease. Results will improve clinical outcomes and change international practice.Read moreRead less
The Australian Centre of Excellence in Twin Research will build on the Australian Twin Registry, which for 30 years has played an integral part in health & medical research. The new Centre aims to expand a state-of-the-art resource for conducting research, bring together leading national and international researchers from across disciplines, and build capacity in people, techniques, and expertise to continue to enable twin research to address major health and medical issues.
Genomic And Functional Analyses Of A Novel Gene Implicated In Type 1 Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$732,439.00
Summary
We have recently discovered a novel gene that contributes to the development of juvenile diabetes. Unfortunately, very little is known about the function of this gene. To better understand how this gene affects the immune system and contributes to disease, we have generated a unique mouse strain that has a dysfunctional copy of this gene. These mice will enable us to characterise this gene and potentially establish a new area of research in diabetes prevention.
How The Environment And Epigenetics Affect The Brain Disease Gene, MAPT.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Summary
Genetic variants in the microtubule associated protein Tau (MAPT) gene are major risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Environmental or lifestyle factors, such as diet and smoking, have crucial roles in changing the risk of developing these diseases. These environmental factors may exert their influence via a mechanism known as "epigenetics". This project aims to determine whether the MAPT gene is susceptible to epigenetic changes by environmental factors, and whether thi ....Genetic variants in the microtubule associated protein Tau (MAPT) gene are major risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Environmental or lifestyle factors, such as diet and smoking, have crucial roles in changing the risk of developing these diseases. These environmental factors may exert their influence via a mechanism known as "epigenetics". This project aims to determine whether the MAPT gene is susceptible to epigenetic changes by environmental factors, and whether this process will have an impact on these diseases.Read moreRead less
Health And Fertility Of Young Men Conceived Using Intra-cytoplasmic Sperm Injection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$362,570.00
Summary
The injection of a single sperm into the egg (ICSI) has been the main IVF treatment for men with poor sperm quality since 1993 but is now often used for other types of infertility. Concern has been raised about the health of the children. We will approach >800 parents and their adult sons conceived using ICSI and will assess his general health and development, and fertility. This work will improve patient counselling and practice guidelines, and direct research into the safety of ICSI.
Identifying Genes In The HLA Complex That Influence Clinical Course And Susceptibility In Multiple Sclerosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$725,177.00
Summary
There is no cure for multiple sclerosis (MS), but a person's genetic make-up can influence their susceptibility to developing MS and the symptoms of their condition. Knowing more about these MS genes will help to a) provide better advice concerning a person's risk of developing the disease or their prognosis b) in the design of new treatments. This project aims to identify 'MS genes in a region of the human genome call the HLA complex.