Diet And Mental Health: Translating New Knowledge Into Innovative Prevention And Treatment Strategies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$463,652.00
Summary
I have pioneered the development of a robust body of evidence demonstrating the important role of diet in mental health and I am now recognised internationally as a research leader in this new field. The next important step is to translate this knowledge into new prevention and treatment strategies in order to address the substantial global burden of illness attributable to mental disorders.
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
Investigating Molecular Mechanisms To Better Understand The Recent Rise In Food Allergy Prevalence In Australian Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$316,449.00
Summary
The prevalence of food allergies in Australia and abroad has risen drastically posing a major preventable public health burden. Further basic research is required and this program aims to make a substantial contribution towards understanding the underlying mechanisms of pediatric food allergy.
A Dietary Intervention For Sarcopenia In Cirrhosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$128,224.00
Summary
Patients with chronic liver failure, or cirrhosis, suffer many complications. Sarcopenia, the loss of muscle and muscle weakness, is one of these. It is associated with reduced survival. Patients with cirrhosis have low levels of branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) which are used as building blocks for protein and energy in muscle. We aim to explore how oral supplements of BCAAs might improve muscle in this population. If this improves muscle mass, we also expect it may improve other outcomes.
B-1 B Cells As A Source Of Polyreactive IgE Antibodies, In Allergic Individuals
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$331,320.00
Summary
Allergic disease results from the actions of antibody molecules that are produced by cells called B cells. Over the last fifteen years, it has been realised that there are at least two B cell subsets, called B-1 and B-2 cells. The B-1 cells and their antibody products have many unusual features, and they have been implicated in some disease processes. We have recently completed studies that strongly suggest that B-1 B cells may play an important role in some allergic disease. We wish to compare ....Allergic disease results from the actions of antibody molecules that are produced by cells called B cells. Over the last fifteen years, it has been realised that there are at least two B cell subsets, called B-1 and B-2 cells. The B-1 cells and their antibody products have many unusual features, and they have been implicated in some disease processes. We have recently completed studies that strongly suggest that B-1 B cells may play an important role in some allergic disease. We wish to compare groups of patients defined according to their allergic conditions and age, to see whether B-1 B cell activity is associated with particular allergic diseases. We hypothesise that patients with allergic skin conditions have raised numbers of allergy-inducing B-1 cells. Such patients will be compared with those with allergies to inhalent allergens and others with food allergies. Studies will be performed in adult groups as well as in children, for B-1 B cell numbers are known to vary with age. As most of our understanding of the regulation of B cell function, in the context of allergic disease, has arisen from studies conducted with conventional B-2 cells, we also wish to reconsider aspects of B cell regulation. We are specifically interested in the regulation of the 'switching' of B-1 B cells, when they change from the production of antibodies of a 'non-allergic' type (IgM antibodies) to allergy-promoting IgE antibodies. We wish to determine whether the B-1 B cells of allergic individuals are particularly susceptible to such switching, when under the influence of regulatory molecules called cytokines. We expect that B-1 B cells will be associated with some, though not all allergic conditions, and that these cells will emerge as a new target for therapies. Such a finding would be most important. The development of new therapies will require a better understanding of the regulation of these cells, and this will be another important outcome of this project.Read moreRead less
Sun Exposure, Vitamin D And Photohealth Over The Lifetime
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$622,655.00
Summary
Australia is a sunny country with a diverse population. Inappropriate sun exposure for skin type leads to skin cancer (mainly in the fair-skinned) and vitamin D deficiency (particularly in the darker-skinned). Potential benefits of sun exposure are broader than vitamin D production, but remain ill-defined. There are few data on appropriate sun exposure for children. This research fellowship builds the evidence to guide sun exposure messages.
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
Understanding And Preventing Chronic Disease In People Living With HIV
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$367,946.00
Summary
Australia’s ageing population is increasingly at risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. For Australians who are living with HIV, these diseases occur more frequently and at an earlier age. I will be investigating the underlying reasons for this increase in risk and will test innovative online systems that help people living with HIV reduce their risk of chronic disease. This work will provide important information for Australians at risk of developing chronic disease.
This project will determine how viruses prevent transmission of messages within cells which orchestrate responses of our immune system to infection and whether our current therapies improve this defect. This knowledge will help us to better understand why our immune system is not able to control chronic virus infection and improve therapies for these diseases.