Counteracting Age-associated Neurodegenerative Diseases Using Chaperone-based Amyloid Disaggregases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
In neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, proteins form clumps through changes in structure due to mutations or proteotoxic chemical insults. The formation of these toxic clumps causes brain cells to die prematurely triggering symptoms such as dementia. I have identified a molecular machine in human cells that efficiently clears these clumps. We are now developing strategies to activate this machine to repair damaged brain cells to slow/reserve neurodegenerative diseases.
Activation Of HSP70: A Therapeutic Target To Treat Obesity-induced Insulin Resistance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$467,720.00
Summary
Type 2 diabetes is a prevalent and serious disease and the development of new strategies to treat it is warranted. In recent experiments we have been able to show that by upregulating a particular protein, referred to as a heat shock protein, we can reduce the clinical markers of type 2 diabetes by reducing key inflammatory pathways known to lead to insulin resistance. In this series of studies we will investigate whether activation of this protein is a target for therapeutic treatment.
Modulating Heat Shock Protein Expression In Skeletal Muscle To Improve The Pathophysiology Of Muscular Dystrophy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$502,361.00
Summary
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common and severe form of muscular dystrophy. Dystrophic muscles are fragile, prone to injury, and regenerate poorly after damage. Defective calcium handling has been implicated in these processes. We have revealed that upregulating levels of stress proteins called _heat shock proteins� (HSPs) can improve calcium regulation in muscular dystrophy. Modulating the HSP response has significant potential to delay the onset or slow the progression of DMD.