Predicting Drug-drug Interactions Due To Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors: Inhibition Of Drug Metabolising Enzymes And Transporters
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$535,495.00
Summary
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are a new class of anticancer agents. Cancer patients typically receive multiple drugs, for the treatment of cancer and other diseases, increasing the probability of interactions between coadministered drugs. Despite the widespread use of TKIs, their potential to cause drug interactions is poorly understood. Using novel in vitro approaches, this project will identify drug interactions precipitated by TKIs thereby improving drug efficacy and patient safety.
A Novel Metabolic Role For UDP Glycosyltransferase 8 (UGT8)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,144.00
Summary
The UDP glycosyltransferases (UGTs) are a family of enzymes that remove drugs and toxins from the human body as well as control levels of naturally produced molecules such as bile acids and hormones. We found that a new member of this family called UGT8 processes bile acids in the kidney and intestine and can affect how bile acids act to regulate metabolism. Our studies uncover new roles for bile acids in liver, kidney and gut health and in metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity.
Structure And Function Of Antimicrobial Therapies And Their Interaction With Upper Respiratory Biofilms
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,891.00
Summary
Bacterial infections of the upper respiratory tract are a major public health problem affecting millions of Australians. Commonly prescribed antibiotics are often not able to eradicate all bacteria as the bacteria often reside in a protective, self-produced gel-like matrix known as biofilm. This Fellowship aims to unravel the interaction of modern anti-infective therapeutics with the biofilm for the development of the next generation of safe and efficacious anti-biofilm strategies.
Investigating memory reliability in intoxicated witnesses of crime. Eyewitness testimony is a crucial piece of evidence for solving a crime. Inaccurate testimony leads to miscarriages of justice such as failed prosecutions or false convictions. Many witnesses and victims are affected by alcohol or other drugs during the crime. This project brings together a multidisciplinary team aiming to improve understanding of how intoxication with different substances affects the reliability of victim and w ....Investigating memory reliability in intoxicated witnesses of crime. Eyewitness testimony is a crucial piece of evidence for solving a crime. Inaccurate testimony leads to miscarriages of justice such as failed prosecutions or false convictions. Many witnesses and victims are affected by alcohol or other drugs during the crime. This project brings together a multidisciplinary team aiming to improve understanding of how intoxication with different substances affects the reliability of victim and witness memory accuracy. Crucially, crimes are frequently distressing; therefore the interaction between intoxication and stress urgently requires exploration. This project will significantly advance our understanding of key mechanisms behind drug effects on memory, and support fairer judicial outcomes for all. Read moreRead less
Burnt out and worn out or engaged and energised? Exploring the antecedents and consequences of burnout and engagement in drug-treatment specialists. This project will have significant social benefits in regard to the health and well being of workers in the health and human services sector. The results and outcomes of this project will contribute to the National Research Priority of "Promoting and Maintaining Good Health" by (1) contributing to the design of workplace interventions to facilitate ....Burnt out and worn out or engaged and energised? Exploring the antecedents and consequences of burnout and engagement in drug-treatment specialists. This project will have significant social benefits in regard to the health and well being of workers in the health and human services sector. The results and outcomes of this project will contribute to the National Research Priority of "Promoting and Maintaining Good Health" by (1) contributing to the design of workplace interventions to facilitate health and wellbeing in the workplace, (2) contributing to the policies designed to address problems with worker retention in the AOD workforce, and (3) contributing to the development of strategies and interventions which are likely to benefit a key disadvantage group - individuals with alcohol or other drug problems.Read moreRead less
Toll Like Receptor signalling as a mediator of sex differences in pain, opioid and alcohol action. Brain immunology will be examined in this project to see if the signalling of a receptor called Toll Like Receptor 4 can explain sex differences in pain, and the action of pain killers and alcohol. These findings will have significant implications on the understanding of male and female brains, and will assist in the design of new drugs to treat brain and spinal cord diseases.
Economic analysis of child maltreatment and child protection. This project aims to investigate the economic causes and consequences of child maltreatment. It expects to generate new knowledge by applying microeconometric methods to large Australian administrative databases that track children’s health, education and welfare receipt over time. The expected outcomes of this project include an expanded knowledge base on how economic shocks affect maltreatment, the economic consequences of placing c ....Economic analysis of child maltreatment and child protection. This project aims to investigate the economic causes and consequences of child maltreatment. It expects to generate new knowledge by applying microeconometric methods to large Australian administrative databases that track children’s health, education and welfare receipt over time. The expected outcomes of this project include an expanded knowledge base on how economic shocks affect maltreatment, the economic consequences of placing children in out-of-home care, and the value of economic policies for reducing the intergenerational transmission of maltreatment. This should provide significant benefits, such as providing practical evidence to policy makers and service providers that help prevent child maltreatment and reduce its harms.Read moreRead less
Stimulant laxatives are widely used and usually very effective in the short term, but how they work is very poorly understood. Our recent work has shown that they selectively excite sensory pathways from the colon which then trigger defaecation. This points to an undiscovered mechanism that potently affects colonic sensation and motility. This is likely to be a target for new treatments for other colonic disorders such as Irritable bowel syndrome and faecal incontinence.