Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Chronic inflammation is recognized as a predisposing factor for the development of colon cancer, but the molecular mechanisms linking inflammation and tumourigenesis have remained elusive. Our work will dissect the cellular and molecular circuitry that leads to tumourigenesis and investigate interventions aimed to significantly slow or prevent tumour formation. This work will have significant implications for treatments of ....Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Chronic inflammation is recognized as a predisposing factor for the development of colon cancer, but the molecular mechanisms linking inflammation and tumourigenesis have remained elusive. Our work will dissect the cellular and molecular circuitry that leads to tumourigenesis and investigate interventions aimed to significantly slow or prevent tumour formation. This work will have significant implications for treatments of intestinal inflammation and colon cancer.Read moreRead less
Understanding The Role Of Innate Immune Cells In Regulating Gut-associated Lymphoid Tissues At Steady-state And In Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$365,126.00
Summary
The intestine is the largest surface area forming a protective barrier between the external environment and the body. It represents the first line of defence against invading pathogens. The immune system of the intestine is critical to protect this tissue -any breakdown leads to profound and progressive inflammatory disease of the gut such as chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Our work will determine the critical the mechanisms that protect the gut opening the door to targeted intestinal immuno ....The intestine is the largest surface area forming a protective barrier between the external environment and the body. It represents the first line of defence against invading pathogens. The immune system of the intestine is critical to protect this tissue -any breakdown leads to profound and progressive inflammatory disease of the gut such as chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Our work will determine the critical the mechanisms that protect the gut opening the door to targeted intestinal immunotherapeutics.Read moreRead less
Investigation Of Cellular Abnormalities And Synapse Formation In DOCK8 Immunodeficiency
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,284.00
Summary
Why do some people get allergies? Or serious infections? To investigate this we will study mice and humans with a mutation in the DOCK8 gene. People with mutations in the DOCK8 gene get Hyper-IgE Syndrome and develop severe viral infections of the skin as well as allergic disease. By investigating how DOCK8 works in the cells of the immune system, we hope to understand why these infections and allergies occur and find out why these problems can also happen in those without this specific genetic ....Why do some people get allergies? Or serious infections? To investigate this we will study mice and humans with a mutation in the DOCK8 gene. People with mutations in the DOCK8 gene get Hyper-IgE Syndrome and develop severe viral infections of the skin as well as allergic disease. By investigating how DOCK8 works in the cells of the immune system, we hope to understand why these infections and allergies occur and find out why these problems can also happen in those without this specific genetic defect.Read moreRead less
Local Sleep In The Awake Brain: An Underlying Cause Of Neurobehavioural Deficits In Sleep Apnea?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$582,330.00
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder which significantly impacts daytime functioning leading to excessive sleepiness, and problems with attention and thinking. Currently, the causes for cognitive impairment in OSA (including attentional lapses and performance deficits) are poorly understood. In the awake state, groups of neurons can briefly go “offline” as they do in sleep. These periods of “local sleep” may explain impaired task performance in OSA.
Determining Regulators Of ILC3 In Mucosal Barrier Function And Immune Homeostasis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$705,209.00
Summary
Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are specialized cells that defend the body against invading microorganisms at the body’s surfaces, mediate pathogen clearance and tissue repair but may also drive inflammatory conditions such as allergic asthma and inflammatory bowel disease. We will investigate the molecular switches that regulate this novel cell type and potentially uncover novel molecules or pathways for therapeutic targets.
The Role Of Cytokines In Tumor-induced Immunosuppression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$754,473.00
Summary
Cancer-induced immune suppression is a major obstacle to the effective treatment of many cancers. We have shown that the cytokine IL-23, plays an important role in cancer initiation, growth and development. My project aims to characterize the cells that produce IL-23 in the cancer microenvironment and define how it suppresses cells of the immune system. A greater understanding of this cytokine’s mechanism of action will enable the rational improvement of treatments for patients with cancer
Schizophrenia is a serious and debilitating psychotic illness often characterized by delusions: fixed, false beliefs that preoccupy the patient and affect behaviour, and which are resistant to current drug treatments. This project investigates dysfunctions in belief mechanisms that allow delusions to form and be maintained. This will help clinicians design more effective programs of cognitive behavioural therapy for psychosis by allowing more focussed interventions to reduce delusions.
Investigating The Mechanisms That Increase Nerve-evoked Vasoconstriction Following Spinal Cord Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,547.00
Summary
People with spinal cord injury not only lose control of their arms and legs but also lose control of their bladder and bowel. They also have poor control of blood pressure and an overfull bladder or bowel can lead to dangerously high blood pressure. In this project, we are investigating how this abnormal high blood pressure is generated. The aim is to develop treatments which target the mechanisms which increase the blood pressure responses elicited by the bladder and bowel.
Preclinical Relaxin Therapy To Reverse Cardiac Fibrosis And Gain Functional Benefits
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$724,754.00
Summary
Cardiac fibrosis is a key factor promoting heart disease and onset of complications including arrhythmias and heart failure. There is urgent and unmet need of drugs that can reverse fibrosis. By documenting anti-fibrotic action of a peptide hormone relaxin, CIA and his team will test therapeutic effect of relaxin in heart disease models focusing on fibrosis-reversal and functional gain, particularly arrhythmias. This work would promote development of relaxin as a new cardiovascular drug.
Deciphering The Role Of Intron Retention In Monocyte Differentiation And Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$511,114.00
Summary
In 2013, we made a breakthrough discovery that certain parts of genes, previously considered “Junk DNA”, are actually carrying signals to control the amount of proteins produced in cells. We now wish to understand the roles of these signals in the development of a key immune cell called monocyte. Monocytes are important to fight infection and inflammation in diseases such as diabetes and cancer. We hope to advance our knowledge on how we can manipulate these cells for therapeutic gain.