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A New Mechanism Of Tissue Fibrosis - A Small Peptide Regulator Of The TGF-beta1/Smad Pathway
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$768,757.00
Summary
Progressive scarring, or fibrosis, of organs leads to their loss of function. Fibrotic diseases are devastating to both the individual and our community and we lack effective therapies. We have identified a small protein, named SPRF, which represents a new mechanism in tissue fibrosis. These studies will examine the role of the SRPF protein in models of kidney, heart and lung fibrosis and its underlying mechanism of action. We will also test a therapy based on inhibiting SPRF function.
Deadly Commute - Targeting The Trafficking Mechanisms That Licence Inflammatory Cell Death
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$774,544.00
Summary
MLKL is a protein naturally found inside cells. MLKL is activated by inflammation. Once activated, MLKL relocates to the outer periphery of cells and kills them. Gut cells are especially vulnerable to death-by-MLKL and this problem causes Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Using cutting edge microscopy, we have discovered how MLKL moves to the periphery of cells prior to killing them. We will test if blocking this movement of MLKL to the cell periphery stops gut death and Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Influenza A Viral Infection And Pregnancy Complications
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,346,858.00
Summary
Pregnant women who contract influenza are 5 times more likely to be hospitalised than the general population. Babies of mothers with influenza are also associated with increased perinatal mortality rates. We hypothesise that influenza infection in pregnancy significantly impairs the maternal vascular system resulting in maternal and foetal morbidity. Outcomes from this research may change current treatment modalities to improve maternal and foetal outcomes complicated by influenza infection.
A Novel Interaction Between The Immune And Vascular Systems In Early-onset Preeclampsia; An Opportunity For New Treatments?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$921,623.00
Summary
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication that leads to poor birth outcomes and elevated lifelong cardiovascular disease risk in 4 million women each year. It has no cure and treatments are limited because the causal mechanisms are not understood. We have identified a specialised immune cell in the mother's blood that assists blood vessels to function properly in pregnancy. We will assess whether interventions to enhance these cells can improve poor blood vessel function and pregnancy outcomes.
Identification Of Novel Mediators Of Bone Catch-up Growth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,043,810.00
Summary
Musculoskeletal growth disorders cause significant suffering in children and impair new workforce generations before their working life starts. Despite this relevance, non-invasive methods to induce growth recovery of impaired bones are an unmet need, as we lack sufficient understanding of how this process works. To address this knowledge gap, we generated mouse models that will allow us to reveal foetal mediators of compensatory growth that could be reactivated postnatally to boost bone growth.