Biased Allosteric Modulators Of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors: Novel Therapeutic Targets For CNS Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$611,534.00
Summary
Metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGlu5) is a major therapeutic target for depression and schizophrenia. The proposed studies will improve our understanding of how drug-like chemicals interact with mGlu5 and therefore change the activity of these receptors and in turn the activity of brain cells leading to therapeutic effectiveness. The research undertaken in this program will allow us to be smarter in developing new mGlu5 drugs that are both effective and have minimal side effects.
Investigating The Impact Of Coincident Modulation Of Adenosine And Glutamate Receptors On Neuronal Activity – Implications For CNS Drug Discovery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$648,447.00
Summary
Dementia in particular Alzheimer's disease, is one of the leading causes of death. There remains a need for new drugs to treat both symptoms and disease progression. Two receptors in the brain, the adenosine A1 (A1AR) and metabotropic glutamate 5 (mGlu5) are suggested to be promising new drug targets for dementia. In order to better develop drugs that target these receptors, we will develop a better understanding of activity of these receptors under conditions of health and disease.
Aurora Kinase: Molecular, Cellular And Functional Studies Deciphering Its Role In Stroke Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$580,993.00
Summary
In stroke patients, oxygen deprivation indirectly induces massive nerve cell death by activating an enzyme called aurora kinase A (AURKA). We aim at unravelling (i) how AURKA is activated by oxygen deprivation, (ii) where the activated AURKA is localised in cells, and (iii) how the activated AURKA induces nerve cell death.The study will benefit development of therapeutic strategies to protect against brain damage in stroke since this is novel and different target for drug targeting.