Identifying The Epigenomic Fingerprint Of Coronary Heart Disease In Chinese Adults With Type 2 Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$596,663.00
Summary
Once people get diabetes, even good glucose control may be insufficient to prevent its complications. Diabetes results in molecular imprinting contributing to an increased risk of heart disease. We believe it is possible to identify this imprinted risk by a sophisticated analysis of a standard blood sample. Validating this hypothesis will lead to new biomarkers to identify individuals at increased risk of heart attacks as well as new strategies for the prevention and treatment of heart disease.
BRAIN-MEND: Biological Resource Analysis To Identify New Mechanisms And Phenotypes In Neurodegenerative Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$861,866.00
Summary
Current classification of neurodegenerative diseases (ND) based on clinical phenotypes does not take into account underlying disease heterogeneity, or overlapping disease mechanisms, thus hindering therapy development. Segregation and re-classification of ND phenotypes is urgently needed. BRAIN-MEND will reclassify existing phenotypic classifications using using pathway and network analyses within and across complex NDs.
Longitudinal Transcriptome Profiles For People With Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$475,913.00
Summary
Over the past decade, less than half a percent of drugs trialled for Alzheimer Disease were found to be effective. This highlights the need for new drug targets. This Fellowship aims to study how genes express themselves over time, among people with very high risk of dementia (genetic form of Alzheimer Disease and Huntington Disease). By looking at gene expression in nerve tissue in the nose, fluid around the brain, and blood, I hope to better understand the disease mechanisms causing dementia.
Development Of Blood-based Biomarkers For The Early Detection Of Brain Amyloid And The Investigation Of The Natural History Of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$720,144.00
Summary
To have a direct impact on the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases we need a detailed molecular understanding of the proteins that drive the disease. My laboratory develops and applies the most advanced analytical tools available to develop blood-based markers that can detect the development of Alzheimer’s disease before symptoms occur. This Fellowship will allow me to expand our understanding of the natural history of Alzheimer’s disease.
Protective Mechanisms Of MAP Kinase Phosphatase 5 In Adipose Tissue Fibrosis, Hepatic Steatosis And Atherosclerosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$352,729.00
Summary
Obesity and associated complications such as diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and atherosclerosis are a serious health burden. Recently, we found that MKP5, a molecule that restricts intracellular signaling, plays a central role in preventing these diseases. This collaborative project will elucidate how precisely MKP5 acts and explore how this molecule can be targeted for the development of novel therapeutic strategies in prevention and treatment of human metabolic diseases.
DEVELOPMENT OF NOVEL THERAPEUTICS FOR DEMENTIA: Investigating Tailored Brain Stimulation Approaches For Dementia Prevention And Treatment.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$723,105.00
Summary
Dementia is a debilitating and devastating illness impacting significantly on sufferers, carers and the wider community. Current treatment approaches are limited in their effectiveness and alternative therapeutics are needed. My research will investigate the use of brain stimulation techniques for the treatment and prevention of dementia.
Early Detection Of Alzheimer's Disease Using Ocular Biomarkers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$602,502.00
Summary
Curcumin fluorescence imaging of the retina will be tested for quantification of retinal amyloid plaque burden and rate of change. This will be compared to AD disease status, brain plaque burden and other markers to evaluate retinal imaging as an early test for AD.
From Brain Maps To Mechanisms: Modelling The Pathophysiology Of Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$604,513.00
Summary
As the brain ages, the relationship between its structure and function also changes. In this study, I will use detailed computational modelling and extensive analyses of brain dynamics to improve interventional strategies by: 1. Characterising healthy and unhealthy brain dynamics during ageing; 2. Classifying the various subtypes of pathological dynamics; and 3. Predicting pathological neurodegeneration by identifying the earliest signs of perturbations in healthy ageing.
L1 Retrotransposition: The Missing Link Between Genetics And Environmental Factors In Parkinson's Disease ?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$604,644.00
Summary
The study proposed here focuses on understanding the role of specific mobile DNA sequences in the interaction between environmental and genetic risk factors causing Parkinson’s disease (PD) leading to dementia. The project proposes identification of mobile DNA induced mutations in post-mortem human PD patient brain samples. The significance and mechanisms of mobile DNA induced mutations will be then tested in a PD mouse model.