Development Of Clinical Algorithms To Diagnose And Predict Prognosis Of Food Allergy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$136,636.00
Summary
Australia has the highest rate of food allergy internationally. Despite ongoing research into the area, there is currently no cure, with patient avoidance the most effective mode for the prevention of food allergy. A food challenge still the gold standard for food allergy diagnosis, and although definitive, is associated with a risk of anaphylaxis. My research aims to identify the biological differences between active disease and being healthy to develop novel diagnostic methods for food allergy
Therapeutically Targeting The Major Genetic Risk Factor Of Alzheimer’s Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$530,069.00
Summary
The second greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (after age) is genetic variation in a protein called APOE, however it is unknown why APOE increases the risk of disease. We have new clinical and laboratory evidence that APOE incresase risk of Alzheimer’s disease by manipulating iron pathways in the brain. We plan to examine these pathways and apply a new theraputic we have developed that targets these pathways in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease.
Altered Myelin Sphingolipid Homeostasis In Alzheimer's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$629,532.00
Summary
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, and its incidence is rising as the population ages. This project will provide a detailed analysis and explanation for the loss of particular lipid (fat) molecules that are essential for myelin integrity, in the brains of AD patients. Myelin is the insulating layer that surrounds brain cells, facilitating the transmission of electrical signals. This research will improve our understanding of how brain functions are impaired in AD.
(Dys)Regulating Junctional Tension: A Novel Mechanism In Tumor Cell Biology
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$732,391.00
Summary
This project will study how cancer cells are forced out of their original tissue of origin. This process, called oncogenic extrusion, is important to allow cancer cells to proliferate and invade their surrounding tissue. We have discovered a new cellular mechanism that causes oncogenic extrusion and aim to understand its molecular basis and test how it contributes to breast cancer.
The Regulation Of IgE Antibody Production By Antigen-specific B Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$454,105.00
Summary
Asthma and other allergies are caused by the inappropriate production of IgE antibodies by the immune system. IgE is not produced in response to most infections but the controls that normally prevent IgE production are unknown. We have identified two separate molecules that prevent IgE production during immune responses. In this proposal we aim to investigate how these controls work. This information may help to devise strategies for controlling IgE production and therefore allergic disease.
Winter-only Treatment With Omalizumab To Prevent Asthma Exacerbations In Children.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$738,855.00
Summary
Acute exacerbations of asthma add considerably to the economic and social burden imposed by asthma. Current asthma treatment frequently controls underlying asthma but does not prevent acute exacerbations in exacerbation-prone asthmatics. This trial, based on our asthma research, provides new hope that acute asthma can be prevented.
Isoform-dependent ApoE Processing By Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. A Novel Pathway Linking APOE Genotype And Alzheimer’s Disease Risk.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$429,495.00
Summary
We recently discovered that a protein called apoE is cleaved in the brain to generate a small fragment that may have neuroprotective properties. We also discovered that human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons produce apoE fragments identical to those in the brain. We will now characterise iPSC apoE and assess its neuroprotective properties. This will resolve the basis for the association of apoE with AD risk and potentially provide a new target for AD treatment.
Modeling Human Actin Related Protein 2/3 Complex Subunit 1B (ARPC1B) Deficiency In Mice
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$755,005.00
Summary
The actin cytoskeleton forms the structure that not only keeps cells in their normal shape but is also essential for the movement of cells and for interaction between cells. We have recently identified the first patients with an immunodeficiency caused by a defect in a gene called ARPC1B, which plays a crucial role in the regulation of actin. Through the investigation of novel mouse models we will elucidate the pathomechanism underlying the disease of these patients.
Restoring Neuroprotective Sphingosine 1-phosphate Signalling In Alzheimer’s Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$857,656.00
Summary
Our research team has recently shown that a vital signalling lipid called S1P is lost from the brains of people who are in the early stages of developing Alzheimer's Disease. S1P protects brain cells against toxic insults that cause Alzheimer's Disease. This project will investigate how loss of S1P sensitizes people to the development of Alzheimer’s Disease, and the effectiveness of clinical drugs that restore S1P signals in protecting against Alzheimer’s Disease and restoring brain function.
Vitamin E-bisphosphonate Conjugates: A New Therapeutic Approach Targeting Pathological Bone Loss Associated With Osteoporosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$471,984.00
Summary
Approximately 2 million Australians have osteoporosis, a disease which increases the risk of fracture and whose monetary and social costs are large and growing. The objective of this proposal is to exploit the osteotropic properties of novel compounds of vitamin E (VE) derivatives (BPVE) conjugated to bisphosphonates (BP), which will have anti-oxidant, anti-osteolytic and bone anabolic properties, and will be taken up selectively in the skeleton for the treatment of osteoporosis.