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Epigenetic Hyperglycemic Cell Memory Causes Vascular Complications In Type 1 Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$332,140.00
Summary
This project seeks to identify how epigenetic change in response to hyperglycemia can cause vascular complications of diabetes, and how this contributes to “hyperglycemic memory”; a phenomena where cells may undergo gene modifications which increase risk to further complications later in a patients life. These studies are the first of their kind and will characterize the types of epigenetic change that can cause human disease.
Comparative And Evolutionary Genomics Of Schistosomes –Identifying Genes Associated With Parasitism, And Novel Drug And Vaccine Targets
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$352,229.00
Summary
Schistosomiasis remains an important cause of human illness and death globally. My project proposes comparative genomics and evolutionary analysis of recently sequenced schistosome taxa and all publicly available flatworm genomes. The study will provide novel insights into identifying gene functions and pathways important for the parasite-host interaction, reveal novel candidate anti-schistosome drug or vaccine targets, and identify genes associated with bladder tumorogenesis in S. haematobium.
Investigating The Altered Landscape Of Enteric Viruses Causing Severe Gastroenteritis In Australian Children Following Rotavirus Vaccine Introduction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,644.00
Summary
The rotavirus vaccines were introduced in Australia in 2007, decreasing rotavirus disease. Rotavirus strains naturally evolve during replication, however, high vaccine coverage in the population creates a new environment with different evolutionary pressures where strains not protected by the vaccines may emerge and become dominant. The diminished circulation of rotavirus may create an environment where other viruses capable of causing childhood gastroenteritis may increase.
Identification Of Genes For Non-syndromic Intellectual Disability And Walker-Warburg Syndrome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$399,984.00
Summary
Mental retardation (MR) affects 3% of people and the cause is still largely unknown. Walker-Warburg syndrome (WWS) is an inherited cause of severe MR that also includes eye and muscle disease. Recent studies suggest that there are at least ten WWS genes. This project will identify MR and WWS genes by searching for gene alteration (mutations) that affected families have in common. Knowledge of the genetic causes will lead to better understanding of normal brain development and therapies.
Identification Of Genes Responsible For Disorders Of Sexual Development Using Genome-wide Copy Number Analysis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$305,774.00
Summary
Congenital conditions in which development of the gonads or anatomical sex is abnormal are surprisingly common. The underlying cause of these problems is most often the failure of genes responsible for the proper development of testes or ovaries. Only a small proportion of patients can be explained by mutations in known gonad determining genes. We will analyse DNA from these patients on very high density microarrays to identify new genes that cause abnormalities in testis or ovary development.
Snail Family Proteins Regulate Stem Cell Differentiation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$288,650.00
Summary
This research aims to discover the role of a family of genes in regulating stem cells. These genes are known to turn other genes off and we have shown that this family is required to maintain stem cells in animal tissues. The current research seeks to determine which genes are normally switched off in order to maintain normal stem cells. We also aim to determine if turning these genes on leads to cancer formation.
Mechanisms Regulating The Levels Of Circulating Insulin In Response To Nutrition
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Diabetes is the fastest growing chronic disease both in Australia and worldwide, caused by the failure of cells within the pancreas to produce sufficient insulin. I aim to determine how different nutritional inputs alter the levels of circulating insulin, and identify and characterise genes required for insulin production and secretion. As well as providing important insights into the mechanisms that regulate insulin secretion, I will identify new therapeutic targets for diabetes treatment.
Analysis Of The Role Of Polycomb Genes In Normal And Diseased Breast Stem Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$362,810.00
Summary
In Australia, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Many will receive chemotherapy that will apparently eliminate the cancer. However, in approximately 1 in 3 of these women, cancer will recur. This is thought to be due to the presence of chemotherapy-resistant breast cancer stem cells. This project will study the parallels between the role of Polycomb genes in normal mammary stem cell maintenance and their role in breast cancer, in order to improve treatment and cure rates.
Feasibility Of Implementing Precision Medicine For The Treatment Of Metastatic Melanoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,644.00
Summary
Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer, accounting for 75% of skin cancer deaths in Australia. When it progresses to stage IV disease, patient prognosis is poor, with less than 10% of cases surviving to 5 years. The goal of this project is to determine whether drugs currently used to treat different diseases could also be used to treat melanoma patients and improve their survival, particularly those that do not respond in current clinical trials.