Inflammatory diseases, such as autoimmune diseases, result from an overactive immune system. A new therapy that is currently under trial is the use of special blood cells, called Treg cells, whose function is to suppress unwanted immune responses. This application evaluates the efficacy and safety of such treatments.
HLA-G/H2-Bl Is Critical For Regulating Inflammation In The Liver
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$494,050.00
Summary
The key factor to induction of liver fibrosis, progression to cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma is inflammation. Liver transplant and liver regeneration following liver resection are also dramatically impaired by elevation of inflammation. We have identified a potent anti-inflammatory protein, HLA-G, that is critical for regulating post-surgical inflammation in the liver. We will determine if HLA-G can reverse and/or block liver fibrosis and modify HLA-G for improved clinical potential.
De Novo Mutations And The Pathogenesis Of Childhood-onset Autoimmune Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,406,510.00
Summary
This project aims to reveal the gene abnormalities that cause devastating autoimmune diseases to develop in some children, such as Type 1 diabetes, juvenile arthritis and autoimmune destruction of blood cells. The project will use new technologies to identify alterations in the DNA sequence of a child compared to either of their parents, and to test suspicious DNA alterations in laboratory mice in order to understand the gene effects and evaluate new treatments.
Understanding The Key Attributes Of CD8 T Cell Receptor Transfer As An Antiviral Strategy And Harnessing The Process To Combat Persistent Viral Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$612,885.00
Summary
We have recently discovered a new process through which the numbers of antiviral immune cells can rapidly expand, without dividing, to combat a virus infection that may otherwise be fatal. This represents a significant advance in our knowledge on how a speedy, virus-specific response can be mounted. We will study how this process can be applied to therapeutic strategies to overcome medically significant persistent viral infections.
Novel Fluorogenic Probes For The Selective Detection Of Pathogenic Bacteria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$542,489.00
Summary
Current methods for the detection of multi-resistant organisms either require expensive instrumentation and expert analysts or are simple, but require 24-48 hours for bacterial identification. The ideal surveillance method would be cost effective, rapid, reliable, and simple to perform. This project aims to prepare a range of fluorescent substrates for incorporation into growth media which will then be evaluated for the specific identification of individual multi-resistant organisms, e.g. MRSA.
A Nanomedicine Strategy For Detecting And Modulating Protease Activity In Vivo
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$455,534.00
Summary
Protease enzymes are vitally important for normal bodily function but can play a deleterious role in many diseases such as cancer, aging diseases and eye diseases. The proposed research will provide a nanomedicine solution to the detection and therapeutic control of protease activity in vivo using nanoporous optical devices that are benign to the body. This general strategy for will be demonstrated in eyes with a view to detection and treating the eye disease uveitis.
Field-based Evaluation Of A Novel Magneto-optical Technique To Diagnose Malaria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$637,411.00
Summary
Highly sensitive and low-cost and rapid malaria diagnosis is crucial for renewed efforts to eliminate the disease. We have developed a magneto-optic technique that can diagnose the presence of malaria parasites in blood samples within minutes, with a sensitivity approaching that of high-tech molecular methods that are not applicable at point of care. Here we propose to take this method from the laboratory to clinical settings in malaria endemic countries to directly evaluate its performance.
A Novel Diagnostic Method To Determine The Likelihood Of Kidney Fibrosis And Progressive CKD In Patients With Diabetes Mellitus And Other Forms Of Chronic Proteinuric Renal Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$508,848.00
Summary
The project aims to develop a new non-invasive diagnostic method to detect patients with early CKD, a major health burden that is mainly driven by obesity and diabetes. It will specifically determine whether exfoliated tubular cells in the urine reflect kidney disease progression and hence provide a proof of concept on whether our newly developed hyperspectral technique can be used as a non-invasive diagnostic tool to identify patients with kidney disease.
Patterns Of Care And Experience Of Care For Adolescents And Young Adults With Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$669,096.00
Summary
There is increasing concern, across several countries, that outcomes of care for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer are not optimal. This project aims to improve outcomes of care for AYAs with cancer by providing information about the best way to organise health services. It will do this by describing patterns of care for 700 AYA patients with cancer; providing detailed data on experiences with care for 300 patients; and conducting in-depth qualitative interviews.
Diagnosing Major Depression In Older Australian Adults: Is There Evidence For Age-related Bias?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$202,839.00
Summary
Epidemiological studies have consistently indicated that the prevalence of depression decreases with increasing age. Researchers have debated whether this finding is a real age-dependent decline or an artefact of sampling and assessment. This study seeks to use statistical methods and cognitive interviewing to investigate the potential for age-related bias in the criteria for major depression. The study will make recommendations to improve the diagnostic methods used diagnose and treat major dep ....Epidemiological studies have consistently indicated that the prevalence of depression decreases with increasing age. Researchers have debated whether this finding is a real age-dependent decline or an artefact of sampling and assessment. This study seeks to use statistical methods and cognitive interviewing to investigate the potential for age-related bias in the criteria for major depression. The study will make recommendations to improve the diagnostic methods used diagnose and treat major depression in the old age.Read moreRead less