The Role Of Endothelial Lipase In High Density Lipoprotein Metabolism
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$130,550.00
Summary
Atherosclerosis is a major cause of death and disability in Australia. A high level of blood cholesterol increases the risk of developing atherosclerosis. This increase in risk is caused by the cholesterol that is carried in low density lipoproteins (LDL). However, not all cholesterol is bad. A proportion of the cholesterol in blood is carried in high density lipoproteins (HDL), which are powerful protectors against atherosclerosis. As not all HDL protect equally well against atherosclerosis, it ....Atherosclerosis is a major cause of death and disability in Australia. A high level of blood cholesterol increases the risk of developing atherosclerosis. This increase in risk is caused by the cholesterol that is carried in low density lipoproteins (LDL). However, not all cholesterol is bad. A proportion of the cholesterol in blood is carried in high density lipoproteins (HDL), which are powerful protectors against atherosclerosis. As not all HDL protect equally well against atherosclerosis, it is important to know how blood levels of HDL are regulated. In 1999 a new enzyme called endothelial lipase was discovered. Endothelial lipase dramatically decreases HDL levels in mice. The reason why this happens is not known. The main aims of this project are to work out how endothelial lipase decreases HDL levels and whether it decreases the levels of all HDL equally or whether it preferentially decreases the levels of certain types of HDL. The outcome of this project will establish how endothelial lipase affects the ability of HDL to protect against atherosclerosis in humans.Read moreRead less
Formation Of An Industry Strategic Plan For Development Of A Quality Index For Australian Seafood
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$4,585.00
Summary
Objectives: 1. To achieve broad agreement of key stakeholders on development of a strategic plan for establishing a quality index for selected Australian seafoods including benefits and costs. 2. To outline how to implement the first stage of this strategy including proposals for trials. 3. To assess infrastructure, resource and training requirements for implementation of the strategy.
A NEW LOOK AT THE ROLE(S) OF GLYCOGEN AND SUGAR PHOSPHATES IN SKELETAL MUSCLE CONTRACTILITY
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$193,224.00
Summary
According to textbooks, glycogen in skeletal muscle is a homogenous molecular species whose sole role in muscle contraction is that of a carbohydrate-energy store. Likewise, sugar phosphates, such as glucose1-phosphate (G1-P), glucose 6-phosphate (G6-P), fructose 6-phosphate (F6-P) and fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (F1,6-bP) are generally presented as negatively charged compounds that act only as substrates-products of intermediary reactions in sugar degradation pathways. However, there is now compe ....According to textbooks, glycogen in skeletal muscle is a homogenous molecular species whose sole role in muscle contraction is that of a carbohydrate-energy store. Likewise, sugar phosphates, such as glucose1-phosphate (G1-P), glucose 6-phosphate (G6-P), fructose 6-phosphate (F6-P) and fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (F1,6-bP) are generally presented as negatively charged compounds that act only as substrates-products of intermediary reactions in sugar degradation pathways. However, there is now compelling evidence that (i) glycogen depletion impairs muscle contractility even when there is no shortage of cellular energy, (ii) there are two molecular forms of glycogen, and (iii) sugar phosphates can act as potent modifiers of functional domains in muscle proteins. This project addresses a number of novel questions regarding the role (s) of glycogen and sugar phosphates in muscle contractility and the cellular mechanisms involved. The knowledge produced will further our understanding of the correlation between Excitation-Contraction coupling and different intracellular glycogen pools, and of the molecular basis of prolonged effects of sugar phosphates on the contractile machinery. Furthermore, this work should also generate valuable insights into complex physiological (e.g. fatigue and aging) and pathological (e.g. atherosclerosis, metabolic myopathies) conditions which are still poorly understood.Read moreRead less
Novel Mechanisms And Diagnostic Applications For Iron In Alzheimer’s Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$599,644.00
Summary
My recent findings showed that measuring the iron content of the brain, by looking at the fluid surrounding the brain, was useful in predicting the chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease, and predicting the severity of this disease. Here, I will investigate this in more depth, and in new patient groups. The project has the potential to characterise a new way of predicting Alzheimer’s disease, and also will help inform how Alzheimer’s disease develops.