Modulating Gastrointestinal Function For Control Of Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$883,469.00
Summary
It is now recognized that gastrointestinal function, particularly the rate that meals empty from the stomach, and the secretion of hormones from the small intestine in response to nutrients, is fundamental to blood glucose control in people with diabetes. This project seeks to understand how these processes can best be modified by dietary or pharmaceutical means to improve blood glucose control and thereby prevent complications in type 2 diabetes
CCR9 Expressing T Helper Cells In Immunity And Autoimmunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$729,571.00
Summary
We have identified a unique subset of immune cells in autoimmune lesions named Tccr9 cells. You find these cells in the gut, but when the body shifts into disease mode, Tccr9 cells disseminate to the accessory organs of the digestive system. Understanding the relationship between gut Tccr9 cells and the Tccr9 cells that contribute to chronic inflammation and autoimmunity is the focus of this research proposal.
Interleukin 37 – A Novel Cytokine Therapy For Necrotizing Enterocolitis In The Preterm
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$748,848.00
Summary
Neonatologists are adept at keeping extremely premature babies alive. But the price is a rising incidence of life-threatening diseases that include necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), a progressive and destructive intestinal inflammation that may require surgery, after which just 30% survive. We have created highly potent variants of the anti-inflammatory molecule interleukin 37 whose actions will improve our understanding of NEC pathogenesis and reveal their therapeutic potential in NEC.
Effects Of Dietary Amino And Fatty Acids On Energy Intake And Glycaemia - Implications For Novel Approaches To The Management Of Obesity And Type 2 Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$584,032.00
Summary
Current obesity treatments are limited in efficacy or have adverse effects. Our research has shown that specific fatty acids and amino acids markedly suppress energy intake and reduce blood glucose, without adverse effects. The goal of the proposed work is to evaluate the translational potential of these discoveries in obese diabetic patients. Ultimately, we hope to develop the findings from this research into novel, nutrient-based strategies for the management/prevention of obesity/diabetes.
Diet And The Gut Microbiota As The Basis For Food Allergies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$669,091.00
Summary
Diet and the composition of the gut microbiota represent new avenues to prevent or treat human diseases. We propose that allergies in western countries result from altered gut homeostasis. This application seeks to understand all the molecules involved, and to discover new bacteria that associate with, or protect from allergies.
Fungi are increasingly causing life-threatening infections. Little is known about the mechanisms underlying these infections. We will compare the genomes of high and low virulent fungal strains to gain insides into the basis of these differences by using C. gattii as model of a globally highly pathogenic fungus. The findings will be generalized by comparing the obtained results with the genomes of other important pathogenic fungi to develop a scientific basis for better treatment strategies.
The fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans is responsible for up to a million deaths annually, necessitating the development of novel antifungals. We have characterised the GTP biosynthesis enzyme IMP dehydrogenase, revealing it is critical for infection, and structural and functional analysis reveals routes to inhibitor specificity. In the proposed work will develop novel antifungal compounds that target this enzyme, as well as investigate related enzymes as potential future drug targets.
Host Cell Death Signaling And Susceptibility To Bacterial Gut Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$682,321.00
Summary
Bacterial infections are a major cause of infectious disease worldwide. Here we aim to characterise immune responses that help fight infection by E. coli and Salmonella. These bacteria have evolved ways to shut down many of our immune responses during infection, allowing them to survive and cause disease. This work will help understand the complex relationship between gut bacteria and our immune system and provide solutions for controlling infection and treating immune disorders of the gut.
An Investigation Into Chromatin Dynamics In Host-pathogen Interactions And Fungal Virulence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$700,585.00
Summary
Fungal infections represent a major health burden, with loss of lives that parallels malaria. Only a handful of antifungal therapeutics is available, and mortality remains very high (30% or more). By using molecular biology approaches and animal infection models, this project aims to characterize a new class of promising antifungal drug targets in the major human fungal pathogen Candida albicans. The outcomes will provide the knowledge foundation for future antifungal drug discovery.
Dissecting Virulence Attributes In A Human Pathogenic Fungus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$814,596.00
Summary
Fungi that infect humans are a major health problem worldwide, particularly for those with compromised immune systems (eg. AIDS, transplant and cancer patients). These fungi cause disease by evading the immune system whilst deriving nutrients for growth. Some fungi evade the immune system by residing within host cells; a hostile and nutrient poor environment. This project will study genes that are required for growth inside host cells. This knowledge will open new avenues for treatment.