The human hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a member of the hepadnavirus family that includes a number of other very similar host-specific viruses. Acute HBV infection can produce extreme variation in disease, ranging from asymptomatic infection, to acute transient hepatitis with jaundice, or fulminant hepatitis leading to liver failure (Hollinger, 1996). The identification of viral genes that affect the severity of disease is a major current goal in medical virology. For example, there is considerable ....The human hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a member of the hepadnavirus family that includes a number of other very similar host-specific viruses. Acute HBV infection can produce extreme variation in disease, ranging from asymptomatic infection, to acute transient hepatitis with jaundice, or fulminant hepatitis leading to liver failure (Hollinger, 1996). The identification of viral genes that affect the severity of disease is a major current goal in medical virology. For example, there is considerable interest in identifying the genes of the influenza genome responsible for high mortality outbreaks; with the human immunodeficiency virus, the virus that causes AIDS, variants deleted in the nef gene region cause a less rapidly progressing infection and have attracted attention as a possible prototype for an attenuated vaccine. We propose to investigate how the different genes of hepadnaviruses affect the course of infection and type of disease produced. Studies will be performed in ducks infected with the duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) as these animals provide the only model system available in Australia. We will study both experimentally and naturally derived DHBV variants to explore the effects of genetic changes on the outcome of infection. This will enhance our understanding of this virus family and will provide models for comparison with HBV infection. This knowledge may then contribute to our ability to manage and control HBV disease in humans.Read moreRead less
Neurodegeneration In The Ageing Brain: How The Pathways Leading To Aggregated Protein Cause Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$12,322,838.00
Summary
The team consists of eight highly experienced research scientists who are dedicated to solving the question of how the brain degenerates in the elderly when associated with the accumulation of certain proteins: e.g. A_ amyloid (Alzheimer�s disease) and PrP (Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease). Understanding the molecular pathways leading to the degeneration (loss of neuronal synapses) will permit the development of rational diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Over the past five years the program ha ....The team consists of eight highly experienced research scientists who are dedicated to solving the question of how the brain degenerates in the elderly when associated with the accumulation of certain proteins: e.g. A_ amyloid (Alzheimer�s disease) and PrP (Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease). Understanding the molecular pathways leading to the degeneration (loss of neuronal synapses) will permit the development of rational diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Over the past five years the program has identified several diagnostic and therapeutic avenues which are now being developed by the Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology industries. Much more research is still required for maximizing the chances of success using these approaches.Read moreRead less
The Prevalence And Trajectory Of Kidney Disease In Urban Aboriginal Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$94,515.00
Summary
The Study of Environment and Aboriginal Resilience on Child Health is a major NHMRC funded project looking at the health and illness of urban Aboriginal children in Australia. By working together with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services across urban and large regional centres in NSW the study team hope to better understand the causes of common diseases such as kidney and heart disease, and whether these first begin in childhood.
Computational Modelling To Understand Early-stage Neurodegeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
Rather than attempting to reverse neurodegeneration, therapeutic strategies must target the earliest possible stages of disease, when treatments have the potential to prevent or slow down pathological progression. The proposed project will employ computational modelling using functional MRI to deliver highly efficient and sensitive markers of Familial Alzheimer’s disease and Huntington’s disease progression to inform when in the progression of disease clinical trials should take place.
The Causes, Treatment, And Prognosis Of Thyroid Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$190,445.00
Summary
The thyroid gland controls body metabolism and is crucial to life. Disorders of the thyroid place a severe burden on the health system. Yet despite this, much is unknown about the causes, optimal treatments, and prognosis of thyroid disease. In this NHMRC Early Career Fellowship, Don aims to advance knowledge and improve treatments of these common conditions, focusing on thyroid cancer, Graves’ disease, and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
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
Type 2 Diabetic Renal Complications And Microvascular Injury: Novel Predictors Of Onset And Progression, Mechanisms Of Association With Cardiovascular Disease And The Benefits Of Fenofibrate.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$84,448.00
Summary
We will investigate the mechanisms of diabetic complications related to kidney and blood vessel disease, focusing on identifying people at greater risk and ways to improve or prevent these complications. In addition, we will look at how diabetic kidney disease affects non-kidney related problems like heart disease and examine the benefit of fenofibrate on both. This greater understanding will aid further drug development in kidney and cardiovascular diseases.