Ligand Interactions Of The MC1R Receptor And Cellular Consequences For Melanocyte Responses To UV-damage
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$578,268.00
Summary
Although it is evident that fair skin types are more susceptible to sun damage, the relationship between sun exposure, skin colour and skin cancer formation is less clear. The genes and processes that determine an individual's skin phototype and the mechanisms involved in the tanning response after UV-exposure of the skin are the focus of this investigation. A major regulator of the response to UV radiation in the skin is the melanocortin-1 receptor. It is essential to understand the complex int ....Although it is evident that fair skin types are more susceptible to sun damage, the relationship between sun exposure, skin colour and skin cancer formation is less clear. The genes and processes that determine an individual's skin phototype and the mechanisms involved in the tanning response after UV-exposure of the skin are the focus of this investigation. A major regulator of the response to UV radiation in the skin is the melanocortin-1 receptor. It is essential to understand the complex interactions of this receptor that induce tanning.Read moreRead less
Identification Of Protein Altering Variants Influencing Preeclampsia Risk
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$572,014.00
Summary
Preeclampsia is a common and serious pregnancy disorder for which there is currently no early diagnostic test or cure other than delivery. It is also associated with later life cardiovascular disease. The identification of gene mutations for preeclampsia in this study will provide insight into the cause of this disorder that may lead to new treatments and tests to predict those women at risk.
Diabetes is a major health epidemic; and both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can lead to the development of diabetic complications - the major cause of morbidity and mortality from diabetes. Loss of islet function is a key factor in diabetes and my testable hypothesis is that islet inflammation contributes to this process. We will investigate how genes effect islet inflammation. New understanding could lead to biomarkers for determining who is susceptible & new treatment opportunities.
Epistatic Genetic Effects On Neuroanatomical Subtypes Of Schizophrenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$410,141.00
Summary
Schizophrenia represents a number of clinically distinct syndromes, with a complex mode of inheritance. The delineation of biologically valid subtypes of schizophrenia is necessary to advance our understanding of the genetic basis of these syndromes. This project uses pattern classification techniques to determine subtypes of schizophrenia on the basis of structural brain abnormality across multiple regions, and will examine genetic interactions and differential gene expression associated with t ....Schizophrenia represents a number of clinically distinct syndromes, with a complex mode of inheritance. The delineation of biologically valid subtypes of schizophrenia is necessary to advance our understanding of the genetic basis of these syndromes. This project uses pattern classification techniques to determine subtypes of schizophrenia on the basis of structural brain abnormality across multiple regions, and will examine genetic interactions and differential gene expression associated with these biologically-derived subtypes.Read moreRead less
In-depth Association And Functional Studies Assessing The Role Of Novel Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms In PSA And Other Kallikrein Genes In Prostate Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$607,336.00
Summary
The number of men diagnosed with prostate cancer varies substantially between races, indicating a role of genetics in prostate cancer development. Recently, we demonstrated that the genetic variations in the PSA gene are related to prostate cancer risk. We aim to elucidate the molecular mechanism of this correlation and to systematically investigate the association of novel genetic variations in other PSA related genes with prostate cancer risk in a search of sensitive clinical biomarkers for pr ....The number of men diagnosed with prostate cancer varies substantially between races, indicating a role of genetics in prostate cancer development. Recently, we demonstrated that the genetic variations in the PSA gene are related to prostate cancer risk. We aim to elucidate the molecular mechanism of this correlation and to systematically investigate the association of novel genetic variations in other PSA related genes with prostate cancer risk in a search of sensitive clinical biomarkers for prostate cancer diagnosis and prognosis.Read moreRead less
Effect Of High Dose Infant Fish Oil Supplementation And FADS 1 & 2 Genetic Polymorphisms On Cognitive Development And School Giftedness
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$325,938.00
Summary
This project will investigate the influence of fish oil supplementation during the first six months of life on intelligence, language, behaviour and school performance at age six. We will also investigate how genetic differences in fish oil metabolism can impact upon these relationships. The findings will enhance our knowledge pertaining to the potential benefits of fish oil on cognitive development, and will inform future practice regarding the high dose fortification of infant formula.
Treatment Of Genetic Liver Disease By Homologous Recombination In Vivo, Coupled With A Pharmoco-genetic Strategy For Selective Expansion Of Genetically Repaired Hepatocytes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$920,836.00
Summary
This project seeks to exploit recent advancements in our ability to precisely “edit” and correct mutations underlying human genetic diseases. To improve therapeutic efficiencies of the system, we will deliver the technology using highly efficient virus-based systems and apply a novel post-repair selection process to preferentially repopulate the liver with gene-repaired cells. Demonstration of the strategy in a humanised mouse model will provide important preclinical data for human applications.
Role Of IS26 In Antibiotic Resistance Gene Recruitment, Dissemination And Expression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$457,879.00
Summary
Antibiotic resistance is increasing, compromising the efficacy of front-line antibiotics. Untreatable infections due to bacteria that are resistant to all available antibiotics are being seen more often. To control the spread of resistance, an understanding of how resistance arises and is spread among bacteria is needed. This requires information about how the genetic elements that mobilize them work. This project will study one of the most important of these elements.
Solving Delivery Of Gene Therapy For Control Of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$765,439.00
Summary
Antiretroviral therapy free control of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection requires control of the viral reservoir. We have a unique approach, aimed at enforcing HIV latency by targeting highly conserved regions in the viral promoter. These constructs completely silence viral transcription for long periods of time. We intend to develop & assess vectors that are specifically targeted to the reservoir and which can enforce viral latency despite immune activation or viral variation.
Integrating Immunity And Genetics In Follicular Lymphoma To Establish A Prognostic Score Fit For The Modern Era
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,377,174.00
Summary
Follicular lymphoma (FL) is divided into early and advanced stages. Early stage FL is frequently cured, but there is no way to identify who will be cured and who won't. By contrast advanced stage FL is incurable. Our unique access to well-annotated clinical trial and population based cohorts allows us to perform a detailed biological comparison of early and advanced FL, to gain a deeper understanding of the impediments to eradicating the disease, and to predict outcome to conventional therapy.