Developing Novel Molecules That Target Hormone Receptors As An Alternative Cancer Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$459,867.00
Summary
A promising class of cancer drugs target heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) and prevent Hsp90 from maintaining its ~100 proteins involved in cell growth. However, all current Hsp90 chemotherapeutics non-selectively target proteins maintained by Hsp90, and induce a cell rescue mechanism involving Hsp70. We describe the development of a novel molecule that will selectively control cell growth and prevent cell rescue via a unique Hsp90 regulated mechanism.
Targeting Small Heat Shock Proteins In Diseases Associated With Alpha-synuclein Aggregation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Summary
This research will provide fundamental insight into processes that control the onset and progression of neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, and may lead to the development of novel drugs to treat these disorders. The work will increase Australia's international research standing and provide high-quality multi-disciplinary training to research students.
Therapeutic Potential Of Modulating Heat Shock Protein Expression For Muscle Wasting Disorder
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,172,146.00
Summary
Heat shock proteins help stressed proteins fold back to their original conformation and restore function. In a discovery published in Nature we identified induction of heat shock protein 72 (Hsp72) as a novel approach for muscular dystrophy and other conditions where there is inflammation and muscle weakness. This proposal will investigate whether Hsp72 induction is similarly effective in tackling the muscle wasting and weakness in conditions like ageing and frailty and in muscle injury.
A Population-based Birth Cohort Study Of The Development Of Atherosclerosis In Early Life
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$780,067.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease (heart attack and stroke) are leading causes of death and illness in adults in Australia. The changes in blood vessels that lead to these conditions begin before birth. This project investigates the factors that contribute to these early changes from birth onwards, and will facilitate development of targeted prevention in high-risk groups to reduce cardiovascular disease in later life.
Therapeutic Potential Of Inhibiting Eph/ephrin Signalling To Repair The Vascular Endothelium In Septic Shock
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$664,734.00
Summary
Septic shock is a life-threatening condition usually caused by bacterial infection in the bloodstream. More than 5000 people, including 500 children, die from sepsis each year in Australia. Worldwide, it is the most significant cause of death in children. Sepsis is associated with leakage of fluid and proteins through the cells lining the blood vessels. This project will develop and test a novel treatment for sepsis which focuses on reducing this leakage by blocking the Eph/ephrin proteins.
Gene Expression Profiling In Critically Ill Patients With Septic Shock: The ADRENAL-GEPS Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$863,304.00
Summary
Sepsis refers to a whole body inflammation caused by severe infection. Approximately one in three adults admitted with septic shock die within 28 days and it is unclear whether treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs is beneficial in terms of patient survival. The aim of this study is to develop a clinical test based on gene activity that can be used to predict patient survival and also determine what the best treatment might be for individual patients.
Septic shock is a common clinical problem; it is frequently associated with kidney failure that increases mortality. We aim to determine the changes within the kidney that cause it to fail. We will establish whether oxygen levels and blood flow are altered within the kidney, and if blood is shunted through specific blood vessels, reducing flow in critical areas. Importantly, we will determine if clinical treatments used to improve kidney function cause long-term damage by reducing tissue oxygen.
A Multi Centre, Randomised, Blinded, Placebo Controlled Trial Comparing Intravenous Hydrocortisone With Placebo In Critically Ill Patients With Septic Shock.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$317,997.00
Summary
This study performed across Australia and New Zealand will evaluate whether hydrocortisone, a cheap drug when administered to critically ill patients with severe infection, will save lives.
Identifying Optimal Sustainable Cooling Strategies For The Most Vulnerable During Heatwaves
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,115,640.00
Summary
Current guidance warns against electric fan use in heatwaves without any supporting evidence. This Project aims to identify how fans and other parallel low-resource strategies can reduce the risk of heat-related illness in the most vulnerable during simulated hot/humid and very hot/dry heat wave conditions. This information will be used to develop simple heat adaptation strategies that also mitigate unsustainable energy demands and the destructive environmental impact of air conditioning.
Severe sepsis is characterised by organ dysfunction secondary to infection, typically bacterial. We will quantify bacteria in the bloodstream of patients with septic shock, the most severe form of sepsis, to determine the relationship between bacterial load and clinical outcomes. We hypothesise that the bacterial load on presentation and the change in bacterial load over time determines survival and the evolution of organ failure in patients with septic shock.