Regulatory RNAs Underlying Genetic Associations With Ankylosing Spondylitis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$431,201.00
Summary
Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the spine and causing back pain. The diagnosis of the disease is delayed by up to 10 years due to lack of accurate tests. We aim to identify molecular signatures of the disease that might be used to distinguish inflammatory processes typical of the disease and other causes of back pain. This would allow earlier and more accurate diagnosis of the disease and result earlier patient treatment and better health outcomes.
Patterns, Pathways And Price Of Developing Disparities In Cardiovascular And Respiratory Health By Age 11-12 Years: The Longitudinal Study Of Australian Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,290,912.00
Summary
Cardiovascular and lower respiratory diseases are leading causes of death, show marked social gradients, and have origins in early life. We will measure cardiorespiratory health at age 11-12 years in the national Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. Combined with rich existing psychosocial and health data spanning the entire first decade, we will explore early-life mechanisms underlying emerging patterns of social disparity and their potentially-avoidable cost – evidence that is essential ....Cardiovascular and lower respiratory diseases are leading causes of death, show marked social gradients, and have origins in early life. We will measure cardiorespiratory health at age 11-12 years in the national Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. Combined with rich existing psychosocial and health data spanning the entire first decade, we will explore early-life mechanisms underlying emerging patterns of social disparity and their potentially-avoidable cost – evidence that is essential to develop new intervention strategies.Read moreRead less
Blood Biomarker Discovery For The Diagnosis Of Alzheimers Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$292,639.00
Summary
Alzheimer's disease (AD) currently affects approximately 24 million people world wide, with >200,000 people within Australia currently affected, by 2050 an estimated 730,000+ people will be affected. The discovery of blood based biomarkers for AD will enable earlier diagnosis of AD, allowing early preventative treatments to be given. Thus, reduce the rate of disease progression and the cost of care and, gain significant improvement in the quality of life for the patients and their families.
Tubulovillous Adenomas In Colorectal Tumorigenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$295,983.00
Summary
Bowel cancer is the second most common cancer affecting Australians today, and half of all patients will not survive their disease. Bowel cancer grows from small growths called polyps. In this project, we aim to investigate changes in genes found in a particularly aggressive type of bowel polyp called a tubulovillous adenoma. A better understanding of these gene changes will aid the future development of molecular tests for early detection and therapeutic options for the treatment of cancer.
The CpG Island Methylator Phenotype In Colorectal Cancer - Pathways And Precursors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$517,272.00
Summary
Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting Australians. It will affect 1-23 Australians and is a leading cause of cancer-related death. If diagnosed early, bowel cancer is curable with surgery. Unfortunately, symptoms are often not present until the cancer is advanced, when the cure rate is only 55%. It has been recognised that there are different types of bowel cancer depending on different genes which can be inactivated abnormally. We propose that there are at least four differen ....Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting Australians. It will affect 1-23 Australians and is a leading cause of cancer-related death. If diagnosed early, bowel cancer is curable with surgery. Unfortunately, symptoms are often not present until the cancer is advanced, when the cure rate is only 55%. It has been recognised that there are different types of bowel cancer depending on different genes which can be inactivated abnormally. We propose that there are at least four different subgroups of bowel tumours, and that each of these may have different physical properties and responses to therapy. We aim to better characterise these subgroups to increase our understanding of how normal bowel can change into a small polyp, that may grow into a cancer. Understanding the gene changes leading to each subtype of bowel cancer will in the future allow the development gene markers for early detection as well as the possibility of individualised patient therapy. We are also studying tiny biopsies of normal bowel tissue from patients either with or without polyps, to try to understand the very earliest changes which may underly the development of a bowel polyp.Read moreRead less
Improving The Surgical Outcomes For Barretts-derived Oesophageal Adenocarcinoma Through Early Detection.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$796,144.00
Summary
Some people with severe reflux develop Barrett's oesophagus, which puts them at high risk of developing cancer. Patients with Barrett's can be monitored by regular endoscopy to detect cancer early enough so that they can be treated successfully with surgery. The aim of this work is to identify patients who are at highest risk of cancer using molecular biomarkers. We will then determine the cost effectiveness of using biomarkers for surveillance of patients with Barrett's oesophagus.
Towards Selective Targeting Of HDACs For Anti-inflammatory Applications
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$581,892.00
Summary
HDAC inhibitors are anti-cancer drugs that kill rapidly growing cells (like cancer cells). These drugs also have anti-inflammatory properties and so may be beneficial in chronic inflammatory diseases such as as Rheumatoid Arthritis. However, it is unknown how they reduce inflammation. In this project we aim to understand how HDAC inhibitors act as anti-inflammatory agents and to design new HDAC inhibitors with reduced side effects for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.