Menopause is one of the important risk factors for bone loss, structural decay and bone fragility. We aim to quantify the biochemical, microstructural and biomechanical basis of loss of bone strength during and after menopause. A cohort of 324 pairs of female-female twins aged 25 to 75 years old will be followed up for up to 9 years. Defining the structural basis of bone fragility provides a rational means to identifying women at risk for fracture.
THE CYCLE OF OBESITY: Two Generations Of A Pregnancy Cohort To Investigate Obesity Epigenetics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,117,795.00
Summary
Obesity has increased 3-5 fold in the last fifty years, overtaking smoking as the greatest killer. In recent history, each generation has experienced greater amounts of obesity and at younger ages. Being exposed in the womb to mother’s obesity transmits the risk to the child, possibly by changing our epigenetic profile and how our DNA code is read. We need to break this vicious cycle. This study is a world first, investigating 2 generations with respect to obesity and epigenetic profiles.
Repurposing JAK Inhibitors To Treat Type 1 Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$947,874.00
Summary
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Beta cells have to respond to molecules called cytokines for T cells to be able to kill them. We have identified a drug, called a JAK inhibitor, which will block the effects of cytokines on beta cells and cells of the immune system. The goal of this work is perform pre-clinical assessment of this drug, and test whether it has effects on type 1 diabetes in people.