Vaccinating Against Helicobacter Pylori-induced Gastric Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,088,714.00
Summary
Stomach cancer is the 3rd leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Most stomach cancers result from inflammation due to Helicobacter pylori infection. Most infections are treatable with antibiotics but this does not protect against cancers that develop before infection is diagnosed. Normal vaccine approaches aimed at this infection have been unsuccessful. We have identified a new approach for protecting against stomach cancer by preventing inflammation; this project aims to develop this vaccine.
Defining The Role Of Reserve Stem Cells In Gastric Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$563,739.00
Summary
Over 800,000 deaths from stomach cancer occur annually. This often fatal disease is caused by chronic inflammation of the stomach lining. This proposal will investigate how stomach inflammation ‘reprograms’ a new type of 'cancer stem cell' to form tumours and evaluate ways to therapeutically target these cells to prevent disease. Collectively, these studies will inform new approaches for stomach cancer prevention and treatment.
A Novel Therapeutic Target For Preventing Helicobacter Pylori-associated Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$750,336.00
Summary
Gastric cancer mainly results from chronic inflammation (gastritis) caused by the stomach-dwelling bacterium, Helicobacter pylori. We have identified a potassium channel which our data suggest could be a new therapeutic target for protecting against gastric cancer caused by H. pylori infection. This project will test the role of this channel in H. pylori gastritis and see whether drugs that target this channel can protect mice against H. pylori-associated disease.
Advancement Of A Personalised Approach To Minimising Infective Complications In Cancer Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$265,138.00
Summary
Managing infections in patients with cancer have become more difficult and unpredictable because of new generation cancer therapies. Measuring the response of the immune system (immune profiling) will allow us to predict which patients will develop infection so that action such as vaccination can be taken to reduce their risk. This program will refine immune profiling to personalise infection care for cancer patients and to introduce it into hospital practice.
Signaling Pathways To Enhance Potency Of AMPK-targeting Drugs
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$661,966.00
Summary
Sedentary lifestyles and consumption of high energy foods has led to epidemics of obesity-related metabolic diseases that place enormous financial and medical burden on the Australian economy. An attractive drug target to treat these diseases is AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) which functions as both a cellular fuel gauge and co-ordinator of whole-body metabolism. Our goal is to improve AMPK drug potency by identifying novel processes that sensitize AMPK to drugs.
UTILITY OF NOVEL BIOMARKERS IN THE PREDICTION OF MAJOR COMPLICATIONS OF TYPE II DIABETES MELLITUS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$510,639.00
Summary
Diabetes is increasingly common. It can cause a variety of complications, the most serious being heart and kidney disease. The reasons why some patients develop such complications are not fully understood so it is difficult to predict who will be affected. The current project will use samples from a large international study of patients with diabetes to assess whether levels of specific markers in the blood help to predict major complications and clarify why they occur.
Effects Of Replacement And Withdrawal Of Testosterone In Human Males On Muscle, Bone And Fat
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$156,682.00
Summary
Male sex hormone or androgen deficiency (AD) is a common, but under-diagnosed condition. AD decreases well being and contributes to muscle weakness, bone fragility and weight gain. Cutting edge technology will be used to help explain how AD may relate to these negative effects, particularly on muscle function. Given the importance of aging, frailty, osteoporosis and obesity, understanding the role of hormones in these conditions may have major implications for prevention and treatment.
Do Exposures Before Conception Influence The Risk Of Asthma In Offspring?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$688,586.00
Summary
Asthma and poor lung function are major causes of public health issues. Emerging evidence suggests adverse exposures even before the conception of a child may cause these conditions. The proposed project is part of an international study across generations to identify these factors. This study will provide novel evidence to guide interventions and identify studies to advance this area further. These original findings will be of great importance both nationally and internationally.
Clinical Trial Of A Suprachoroidal Visual Prosthesis For The Profoundly Vision Impaired
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,098,802.00
Summary
For 15 years we have been designing a bionic eye. We have made a device called the Phoenix99 and shown in short term animal tests that it is both safe to implant but also that it potentially performs better than any other device in the world. We are requesting funds to complete longer term animal testing of the device and then commence a small human clinical trial to demonstrate the benefits of the technology – specifically that it is able to help blind people navigate without assistance.
Functional Electrical Stimulation Assisted Cycling (eStimCycle):A Novel Intervention To Improve Outcomes In The Critically Ill
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$868,811.00
Summary
The legacy of critical illness leaves millions of survivors worldwide with long lasting deficits in physical and brain function as well as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Early rehabilitation may prevent or minimise these effects. This study evaluates the effectiveness of functional electrical stimulation of muscles with assisted in-bed cycling (eStimCycle) on muscle bulk, strength, physical and brain function at hospital discharge, 6 and 12 months.