A Genome Wide Screen For Human Genes That Support The Replication Of Intracellular Bacterial Pathogens
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$321,090.00
Summary
Coxiella burnetii is a bacterium that causes a life threatening infection of humans, termed Q fever.Coxiella survives and replicates inside human cells within a unique protected niche and little is known about how the bacterium does this. This study will identify and investigate the individual human proteins that are used by the bacterium to manipulate the human cells it inhabits and the mechanisms through which the bacterium achieves this.
Host-pathogen Interactions In Burkholderia Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$490,322.00
Summary
Melioidosis is a fatal tropical disease caused by a bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei. We found that when the bacterium infects macrophage-like cells in culture (that normally kills bacteria), the cells turn into a cell like an osteoclast, a cell that normally degrades bone. Since an osteoclast is unable to kill bacteria, we speculate that the bacterium subverts the macrophage differentiation pathway and directs the cells into a state where it is unable to attack the invading bacteria.
Intracellular Survival Of Burkholderia Pseudomallei And Evasion Of Autophagy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$450,799.00
Summary
Melioidosis is a disease with high mortality that is caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei. Autophagy is a natural part of the mammalian immune system. This project seeks to explain how Burkholderia pseudomallei avoids killing by host autophagy and identify the bacterial factors necessary for its survival within cells. The identified genes will be future targets for medical intervention.
Role For Sphingosine Kinase-1 In Endothelial Progenitor Cell Survival And Differentiation.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$294,205.00
Summary
Lay description: Collectively, diseases of the vascular system contribute immensely to the burden of health care in Australia. Notably, abnormal blood vessel formation and function (angiogenesis) has been identified as a major cause or contributor to the vascular complications associated with inflammation, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes. Endothelial cells are one of the principle cells of blood vessels forming a barrier between the blood and tissues. This project aims to understand th ....Lay description: Collectively, diseases of the vascular system contribute immensely to the burden of health care in Australia. Notably, abnormal blood vessel formation and function (angiogenesis) has been identified as a major cause or contributor to the vascular complications associated with inflammation, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes. Endothelial cells are one of the principle cells of blood vessels forming a barrier between the blood and tissues. This project aims to understand the process whereby mature endothelial cells are formed and how replacement of damaged endothelial cells is normally achieved. Stem cell therapy is considered the new frontier for the treatment of many diseases. Understanding how endothelial progenitor cells differentiate to mature endothelial cells and the signals which operate inside the cell may allow therapeutic manipulation of key target moecules in order to limit or control inflammation, tumourigenesis, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetic retinopathy. Our results suggest that one target maybe the enzyme sphingosine kinase.Read moreRead less
Methylation As A Risk And Prognostic Factor For Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$594,913.00
Summary
DNA methylation is a process playing critical roles throughout life by altering the expression of genes. This study aims to investigate the potential use of methylation as marker of risk and early diagnosis of breast cancer in women with no clinical evidence of disease and marker of prognosis and response to treatment in breast cancer cases.
Statistical Analysis Of An International 10 Year Prospective Family Study Of Gene-environment Interactions On Risk Of Female Breast Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$450,198.00
Summary
This study will provide new and credible information on how the effects of environmental and lifestyle factors on breast cancer risk depend on a woman's underlying genetic susceptibility using a large, international 10 year prospective family study.
Phase III Study Of The Impact Of A Physical Activity Program On Disease-free Survival For Early Colon Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,556,385.00
Summary
There is clear evidence that physical activity can reduce the risk of developing bowel cancer and some evidence suggesting it may decrease the risk of a recurrence of bowel cancer. This study will provide reliable evidence as to whether people who participate in a structured physical activity programme after treatment for stage II or III colorectal cancer can increase their likelihood of being alive without a cancer recurrence at three years, compared to those who have standard follow-up.
Can Pentoxifylline Improve Long-term Outcomes In Preterm Infants With Late-onset Sepsis Or Necrotizing Enterocolitis – A Pragmatic, Randomized, Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,901,130.00
Summary
Very preterm infants are at high risk of death and disability. Brain injury is often the result of inflammation caused by infection or bowel disease. To date, there is no treatment to reduce the harmful effects of inflammation. Pentoxifylline reduces inflammation and is a promising, safe and inexpensive treatment option for preterm infants. This study will determine whether Pentoxifylline in addition to antibiotics improves survival without disability in preterm infants.
Targeting TRPV4 Activation Mechanisms To Reveal Novel Pain Therapies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$580,938.00
Summary
Pain nerves sense painful chemical and physical stimuli, by opening protein "ion channels" which let small electric currents traverse the cell membrane. This pain signal is transmitted to the spinal cord and then the brain, where it is perceived as pain and elicits a reaction. But we don't know how the ion channels open. This project will investigate how receptors for painful substances open ion channels to cause pain. Understanding this mechanism will help us to make new drugs to treat pain.