Control Of Anabolic And Catabolic Pathways By AMPK
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$946,402.00
Summary
This project focuses on the role of the metabolic stress-sensing enzyme AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in the control of glucose and fat metabolism. AMPK has been linked to the regulation of exercise capacity, longevity and the control of insulin sensitivity. This is important for our understanding of the metabolic dimensions of our Nations most important health problems including, type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, neurodegeneration as well as other age onset diseases.
Role Of AMPK Signaling In Metabolic Control During Exercise
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$566,288.00
Summary
It is well recognized that sedentary life styles are associated with increased incidence of obesity, Type 2 diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The medical, social and financial costs of these diseases are growing rapidly and represent a major health care challenge. Exercise is beneficial for maintaining health in patients at risk of developing these diseases and for this reason we are interested in understanding how exercise capacity is regulated.
Pharmacological Development Of A Stable Cytochrome P450-mediated Omega-3 Fatty Acid Epoxide Analogue As A Novel Anti-metastatic Agent
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$599,847.00
Summary
Dietary ?-3 fatty acids decrease the risk of cancer metastasis. We have found that a certain ?-3 fatty acid metabolite inhibits tumour cell migration but is too unstable to be a useful drug. We have now prepared a stable version of this metabolite for in vivo use as a potential anti-metastatic drug. In this project we will define the mechanism of action of this novel agent and evaluate how it may be best used in patient treatments by testing in a range of in vivo animal models of metastasis.
What happens when viruses infect cells? How do they control the cells they infect? How do the make the cells do the things the virus wants? These are the questions that we aim to address within this research proposal. Primarily we hope to identify how viruses are able to replicate in cells and avoid immune detection. We believe these processes are related.
Antiphospholipid Syndrome Related Thrombosis: Understanding The Disease Pathogenic Mechanisms Is The Key To Better Diagnosis And Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$607,497.00
Summary
Patients with the Antiphospholipid Syndrome develop thrombosis at a young age. It requires long-term treatment with blood thinning medications, which have risks of severe bleeding. Methods are needed to decide which patients require long term treatment, avoiding unnecessary treatment in low risk patients. Such methods do not currently exist. In this study we explore how useful two novel assays developed by us are in identifying which of these patients are at high risk of thrombosis.
The Role Of Redox-related Post-translational Changes Of Complement Factor H (CFH) In Age-related Macular Degeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$652,019.00
Summary
Patients with AMD experience loss of central vision and this disorder is the leading cause of blindness in those aged over 50 years in Australia. There are currently no effective treatments for dry AMD. We have identified a protein that undergoes a modification in the blood and the eyes of humans with AMD that has given us new insights into how AMD develops. Specific therapies targeting this modified protein may offer a new treatment for this important cause of blindness.
Liver Lipotoxicity And NASH: Mechanistic Roles Of Free Cholesterol, Saturated FFA, JNK1 And TLR4
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$429,712.00
Summary
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) occurs in overweight people, diabetes and with high blood pressure and raised cholesterol. This research is about how cholesterol in liver cells interacts with long chain fatty acids to cause injury and inflammation (steatohepatitis, NASH) in NAFLD.
Does N-3 LCPUFA Supplementation In Pregnancy Reduce Asthma And Allergies In School Age Children?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$443,833.00
Summary
We will determine whether supplementing the diets of pregnant women with fish oil can have long term effects on the development of the childÍs immune system and reduce the prevalence of asthma and allergies at early school age. The outcomes of our project will inform nutritional guidelines for pregnant women and, if successful, has the potential to significantly lower the costly burden of childhood asthma and allergies to families and the healthcare system.
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.
S100 Proteins: Novel Oxidant Scavengers In Allergic Inflammation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$505,814.00
Summary
Allergic inflammation includes conditions such as dermatitis and asthma. Asthma, affects one in 10 adults and one in 6 Australians, costing ~$720 million/annum. We will characterize new mediators of oxidant defence which have suppressive effects on key pathogenic processes. The novel oxidative changes in S100 proteins may lead to new diagnostic reagents and new strategies for therapy. Results will open new frontiers in asthma biology and will apply to other chronic inflammatory diseases.