Is Abdominal Discomfort A “colonic Itch”? Identification Of Itch Specific Pathways In The Gut In Health And Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$906,996.00
Summary
Chronic abdominal pain is a major worldwide problem. TGR5 and Mrgpr receptors are expressed by neuronal pathways innervating the skin, where they detect irritants and transmit itch. Our novel, innovative project shows a similar pathway exists within the viscera, which plays a major and unappreciated role in chronic abdominal pain. These receptors represent novel targets for therapeutic treatment, potentially creating multibillion-dollar savings to the Australian economy and healthcare systems.
GABA(B) Receptor Modulation Of Gastrointestinal Function In Health And Disease By Alpha-Conotoxins
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$689,050.00
Summary
Chronic visceral pain is a common and debilitating condition arising from numerous diseases that affect our internal organs. There is a desperate need for more information about the mechanisms responsible for signalling chronic visceral pain to provide therapies and potentially find a cure for it. Our research focuses on ?-conotoxins (small peptides from marine cone snail venom) as novel potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of chronic visceral pain.
Identifying The Underlying Causes Of Chronic Visceral Pain And Discovering Novel Therapeutic Treatments
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,144.00
Summary
Chronic pain is a major, but under appreciated social, clinical and economic challenge. Globally >1.5 billion people suffer from chronic pain. In the USA alone pain is the leading cause of disability, affecting 115 million adults and costing >$630 billion, more than cancer, heart disease and diabetes combined. By using pre-clinical models and translational science this proposal will identify the key mechanisms underlying chronic pain and also identify novel targets for new therapeutic trea ....Chronic pain is a major, but under appreciated social, clinical and economic challenge. Globally >1.5 billion people suffer from chronic pain. In the USA alone pain is the leading cause of disability, affecting 115 million adults and costing >$630 billion, more than cancer, heart disease and diabetes combined. By using pre-clinical models and translational science this proposal will identify the key mechanisms underlying chronic pain and also identify novel targets for new therapeutic treatmentRead moreRead less
Determining The Mechanisms Underlying Chronic Visceral Pain And Providing Novel Treatment Strategies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,218.00
Summary
Gastroenteritis activates special types of nerve endings in the gut to cause acute pain. In chronic gut pain, although the damaged tissue has healed, the nerve endings remain active and don’t reset back to normal. This project will identify why this occurs, determining pain mechanisms associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, a leading form of chronic pain. It will identify which ion channels and receptors can be targeted allowing the development of novel and effective therapies for pain relief.
Characterising Novel Alternative Splicing Networks That Promote Tumour Cell Plasticity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$609,329.00
Summary
During cancer progression, tumour cells can change their properties and become more aggressive and resistant to therapies. We have identified an important regulator of this tumour cell transition, called “Quaking”, which causes widespread changes in gene splicing. We aim to investigate how "Quaking" causes changes in gene splicing and what the effects of these splicing changes are in tumour cells.
Improved methods for quantitation of acute phase proteins in biological samples. Using monoclonal antibodies and fluorescence polarisation, we aim to develop improved quantitative analytical methods that are superior to the current clinical assays. The initial targets will be C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid precursor protein (SAP), but the technology should be readily adaptable to other serum proteins. Better assays for CRP and SAP will greatly facilitate improved clinical management ....Improved methods for quantitation of acute phase proteins in biological samples. Using monoclonal antibodies and fluorescence polarisation, we aim to develop improved quantitative analytical methods that are superior to the current clinical assays. The initial targets will be C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid precursor protein (SAP), but the technology should be readily adaptable to other serum proteins. Better assays for CRP and SAP will greatly facilitate improved clinical management of those at risk of heart attack, the single biggest contributor to healthcare costs in Australia. We further aim to adapt this technology to enable "point-of-care" assays that would help medical practitioners, especially in rural areas, to make informed diagnoses immediately.Read moreRead less
Molecular mechanisms for seminal fluid signalling in reproduction. Male seminal fluid regulation of the female reproductive process influences fertility and fecundity in humans and animal species. Infertility and impaired reproductive function is a major economic constraint in livestock industries, and carries a substantial social and public health cost in humans. This research will identify the active signalling molecules in seminal fluid and quantify their importance in reproductive success ....Molecular mechanisms for seminal fluid signalling in reproduction. Male seminal fluid regulation of the female reproductive process influences fertility and fecundity in humans and animal species. Infertility and impaired reproductive function is a major economic constraint in livestock industries, and carries a substantial social and public health cost in humans. This research will identify the active signalling molecules in seminal fluid and quantify their importance in reproductive success and health of offspring. The outcomes will inform development of new diagnostic assays for male fertility, and underpin strategic design of novel fertility treatments and products with applications in the human health and animal breeding industries. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150101863
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,000.00
Summary
Strained alkenes as chemical probes for cysteine sulfenic acid. This project aims to introduce strained alkenes as probes for cysteine sulfenic acid, a poorly understood biomarker for oxidative stress. This probe will enable rapid detection of cysteine sulfenic acid and meet an urgent need for tools to map cysteine redox signalling. Moreover, since many enzymes feature a cysteine sulfenic acid at their active site, the strained alkene probes will also serve as useful inhibitor probes of these en ....Strained alkenes as chemical probes for cysteine sulfenic acid. This project aims to introduce strained alkenes as probes for cysteine sulfenic acid, a poorly understood biomarker for oxidative stress. This probe will enable rapid detection of cysteine sulfenic acid and meet an urgent need for tools to map cysteine redox signalling. Moreover, since many enzymes feature a cysteine sulfenic acid at their active site, the strained alkene probes will also serve as useful inhibitor probes of these enzymes. Such inhibitor probes will provide critical information for potential therapeutic applications in human conditions associated with oxidative stress such as ageing, cancer, and heart disease.Read moreRead less
A Tough Resilin Based Hydrogel Platform for Repair and Regeneration. This project seeks to develop novel hydrogels that mimic the properties of the body. In the field of repair and regeneration, our challenge is to make hydrogels that retain the fatigue and resilience properties of the natural body part, but are comprised of nontoxic material. Resilin is a remarkable material exhibiting a broad range of stimuli-responsive behaviour and outstanding elasticity. The project aim is to create a tough ....A Tough Resilin Based Hydrogel Platform for Repair and Regeneration. This project seeks to develop novel hydrogels that mimic the properties of the body. In the field of repair and regeneration, our challenge is to make hydrogels that retain the fatigue and resilience properties of the natural body part, but are comprised of nontoxic material. Resilin is a remarkable material exhibiting a broad range of stimuli-responsive behaviour and outstanding elasticity. The project aim is to create a tough and responsive hydrogel platform from this disordered protein family through greater understanding of structure and mechanical function and incorporating adequate stiffness, strength and biocompatibility. Such tough hydrogels would be applicable to a range of biotechnological applications (eg intervertebral disc repair or artificial skin tissue engineering).Read moreRead less