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Using Porcine Embryonic Stem Cells To Advance Xenotransplantation And Human Stem Cell Research To The Clinic.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Summary
We have developed a new method for isolating embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and have used this to isolate porcine ESCs. The aims of the present study are to use this breakthrough to advance xenotransplantation as well as human stem cell research
Mechanistic And Translational Studies Targeting Kidney Inflammation And Fibrosis.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$697,209.00
Summary
The progression of kidney disease to end-stage renal failure requires support by dialysis or kidney transplantation, leading to reduced quality of life, loss of productivity, and the huge cost of renal replacement therapy in Australia ($1 billion in 2010). This research program focuses on two areas; advancing our understanding of the basic mechanisms of disease pathogenesis, and working with commercial partners to translate my current research effort towards new therapies for kidney disease.
Understanding The Developmental Basis Of Kidney Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$622,655.00
Summary
Kidney disease is a considerable burden on the health system and much of it derives from events that occur during organ development. In this grant I will investigate why human nephron number varies between people, how renal cysts form and what genes are mutated in patients with congenital kidney malformations.
Regenerating The Kidney Using An Understanding Of Normal Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$951,005.00
Summary
In Australia, chronic kidney disease costs >$1 billion per annum, however treatment options for kidney failure have not changed for >50 years. Dialysis reduces quality of life and lifespan while only 1 in 4 patients receives a transplant. Using our understanding of normal kidney formation, this study will generate kidney tissue from human stem cells to better understand inherited kidney diseases and develop novel regenerative therapies for the treatment of end stage kidney disease.
Understanding The Kidney: From Morphogenesis To Regeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$850,346.00
Summary
In Australia, 11.3% of deaths are associated with chronic kidney disease with >$1 billion per annum spent on treating this condition. Kidney function throughout life depends upon what happened during your foetal development as all the functional units of the kidney are made prior to birth. In this project, we will use our understanding of normal kidney development to develop new regenerative approaches to the treatment of this condition.
Hypertension is the major driver of cardiovascular disease affecting over a billion people. The cause is increasingly lifestyle related (obesity and stress) and activation of the nervous system is a major contributor in all cases. My vision for the next 5 years is discover the key underlying mechanisms within the central nervous system and the kidney that are primarily responsible for increasing nervous activity and blood pressure.
Opposite poles of blood pressure disorders will be tested. The first is low blood pressure disorders causing blackouts while standing. My hypothesis is that the mechanism is subnormal reflex sympathetic nervous system responses (the sympathetic nervous system is the stimulant division of the automatic branch of the nervous system(. The second focus is patients with severe high blood pressure, with high sympathetic activity, who I will treat with a device silencing the nerves of the kidneys.
Understanding Leukocyte Function In Inflammatory Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$707,370.00
Summary
In inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and lupus, white blood cells accumulate in organs and cause injury. The focus of this project is to understand how white blood cells leave the bloodstream and enter tissues. In particular, this project examines their contribution to inflammatory diseases of the kidney. By understanding this process in greater detail, we may be able to design more specific therapies to combat these conditions.
Exploiting Existing Data Sources To Improve The Prevention And Treatment Of Cardiovascular Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$772,490.00
Summary
My program of research exploits several large databases to answer important issues in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD), which makes a huge contribution to the burden of illness and premature mortality in Australia. An underlying aim is to provide the evidence base to facilitate improvement of the existing CVD risk assessment guidelines in Australia, for better targeting of clinical advice and treatment.
Pancreatic Islet Inflammation And Its Role In Diabetes And Islet Transplantation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$707,370.00
Summary
Diabetes is a major health epidemic & diabetic complications are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in our community. My studies have increased our understanding of how inflammation contributes to diabetes but also directly led to the discovery of novel therapies that are been trialed in patients with type 1 diabetes undergoing islet cell transplants. My studies have increased our knowledge of the factors that lead to type 1 diabetes and the development of new treatments.