Novel Selective Anti-platelet And Clot-specific Anticoagulant Strategies Targeting Conformational States Of GPIIb/IIIa
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$496,517.00
Summary
The inhibition of platelets and the inhibition of coagulation factors are among the most widely used drugs in medicine and provide major benefits for numerous patients. Prevention and treatment of thrombosis, emboli, stroke and heart attack are examples of the many diseases where anti-platelet and anticoagulant drugs are administered. However, the downsides of these drugs are bleeding complications, which can result in death or disability. The consequences of these drug-associated bleeding compl ....The inhibition of platelets and the inhibition of coagulation factors are among the most widely used drugs in medicine and provide major benefits for numerous patients. Prevention and treatment of thrombosis, emboli, stroke and heart attack are examples of the many diseases where anti-platelet and anticoagulant drugs are administered. However, the downsides of these drugs are bleeding complications, which can result in death or disability. The consequences of these drug-associated bleeding complications are also a major financal burden for our health care system. Thus, progress towards therapeutic strategies with less bleeding complications is highly sought-after. The proposed project aims to generate new antibody-based agents for platelet inhibition. One group of these agents do only block platelets when they are activated. Furthermore, these agents allow an enrichment of potent inhibitors of coagulation factors at the site of the clot. Thus, these inhibitors should predominatly act at the site where they are needed. At the same time the overall concentration of inhibitors of coagulation factors can be kept low and the functions of non-activated platelet can be left intact. Overall, the proposed project aims for the development of novel anti-platelet and anticoagulant strategies with high anti-thrombotic efficacy and low bleeding risks.Read moreRead less
The Development Of Selective And Potent Kv1.3 Ion Channel Blockers For The Treatment Of Multiple Sclerosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$233,187.00
Summary
Building on the well-established path of developing drugs from Nature, the amplification of some unusual qualities of a naturally-occurring substance, khellinone, could lead to new treatments for autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and diabetes. Designed variants of khellinone are known to be very effective at preventing the destructive impact of the body's own T cells on the central nervous system that occurs in autoimmune disease.
Investigate The Role Of Platelet Von Willebrand Factor In Initiating Platelet Aggregation Under Flow
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$307,165.00
Summary
Platelets are small specialised blood cells that are essential for normal blood clotting and repair of damaged blood vessels following injury. We are studying the processes that enable platelets to stick to each other and to other cells to form a stable blood clot at the site of injury. The same processes, unchecked, are involved in the formation of harmful blood clots in the bloodstream that may block blood vessels in the heart or brain and result in a heart attack or stroke. Platelets stick to ....Platelets are small specialised blood cells that are essential for normal blood clotting and repair of damaged blood vessels following injury. We are studying the processes that enable platelets to stick to each other and to other cells to form a stable blood clot at the site of injury. The same processes, unchecked, are involved in the formation of harmful blood clots in the bloodstream that may block blood vessels in the heart or brain and result in a heart attack or stroke. Platelets stick to the blood vessel wall through specialised adhesive proteins. These adhesion proteins are stored within the platelet and expressed on the cell surface when the platelets stick to the blood vessel wall. In conditions such as Gray Platelet Syndrome, the platelets are unable to store adhesion receptors, resulting in impaired blood clot formation. A clearer understanding of how platelets stick to the blood vessel wall will not only increase our knowledge of blood clot formation in health and disease, but also with the potential development of new therapies for the prevention of heart disease and stroke.Read moreRead less
Investigation Of Shear-sensitive Signalling Pathways In Human Platelets
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$196,527.00
Summary
Platelets are extremely important cells that control bleeding by sticking to injured blood vessels to form a blood clot. Excessive clotting can lead to fatal vascular events such as heart attacks and strokes. On the other hand, defects in blood clotting can result in life threatening bleeding problems. Platelets stick to the wall of a blood vessel when receptors on the surface of these cells interact with materials (ligands) that are exposed when the vessel wall is injured. The stickiness or adh ....Platelets are extremely important cells that control bleeding by sticking to injured blood vessels to form a blood clot. Excessive clotting can lead to fatal vascular events such as heart attacks and strokes. On the other hand, defects in blood clotting can result in life threatening bleeding problems. Platelets stick to the wall of a blood vessel when receptors on the surface of these cells interact with materials (ligands) that are exposed when the vessel wall is injured. The stickiness or adhesive behaviour of platelets is controlled by many proteins (enzymes) which are contained inside these cells. These enzymes transmit messages from platelet receptors on the surface into the cell interior, thereby controlling platelet behaviour. We are in the process of identifying several types of enzymes which are responsible for controlling platelet stickiness. Our research will provide a better understanding of the complicated pathways regulating platelet stickiness and clot formation. The knowledge gained from these studies may ultimately asssist in the design of specific drugs for the prevention and-or treatment of heart attacks and strokes.Read moreRead less
Trial Of Structured Support To Enhance The Role Of Non-GP Staff In Chronic Disease Management In General Practice
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$780,625.00
Summary
Chronic disease presents a significant burden to individuals and the health care system , contributing to both an increasing proportion of the work of primary health care practitioners and to health expenditure. A number of interventions have been shown to result in sustained improvement of health outcomes for people with chronic diseases, including: more effective use of non-physician providers of care and nurse case management; integration of self-management support programs with guideline bas ....Chronic disease presents a significant burden to individuals and the health care system , contributing to both an increasing proportion of the work of primary health care practitioners and to health expenditure. A number of interventions have been shown to result in sustained improvement of health outcomes for people with chronic diseases, including: more effective use of non-physician providers of care and nurse case management; integration of self-management support programs with guideline based treatment plans; more intensive follow up and registries that provide reminders and feedback. While some of these approaches have been pursued within the Coordinated Care Trials and the Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) program in Australia, the role of non medical staff within general practice in chronic disease care has not been systematically investigated. In 2001 the Commonwealth introduced a number of initiatives to support better quality of care for diabetes and asthma in general practice and $104.2 million over four years was provided for general practices in areas of high workforce pressure to employ more Nurses. The roles of the Practice Manager and Receptionist have received much less attention. They include faclitating access to care, supporting the delivery of quality clinical care by the practitioners through the provision of expert management services (primarily information technology, staff, financial and facilities management) to the practice. With recent government initiatives expanding the role of general practice in Australia, effective management structures and processes within general practices are vital. Non-GP general practice staff may be the means by which more effective chronic disease management can be achieved at a time of increasing workforce pressure. This project aims to evaluate the impact of a program in which non-GP staff are trained and facilitated to be involved in the management of patients with chronic disease.Read moreRead less