Epithelial - Stromal Interactions In Pancreatic Cancer: Role Of Pancreatic Stellate Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,750.00
Summary
The pancreas is the major digestive organ in the body. It is located in the abdomen, draped across the spine behind the stomach. Pancreatic cancer is a leading cause of death in this country and in Western Society in general. Most patients with this disease survive only a few months after diagnosis. Even for those in whom a curative operation is undertaken, survival is poor. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy (alone and in combination) result in, at best, limited benefit. Clearly, there is a need for ....The pancreas is the major digestive organ in the body. It is located in the abdomen, draped across the spine behind the stomach. Pancreatic cancer is a leading cause of death in this country and in Western Society in general. Most patients with this disease survive only a few months after diagnosis. Even for those in whom a curative operation is undertaken, survival is poor. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy (alone and in combination) result in, at best, limited benefit. Clearly, there is a need for novel approaches to this lethal disease. The proposed project involves an examination of the local tissue reaction around pancreatic cancer. This tissue reaction is usually prominent and the cells involved may determine the extent of local and distant spread of the cancer. Modulation of this tissue reaction may limit pancreatic cancer growth and thus improve outcome.Read moreRead less
Understanding The Host Pathogen Relationships Of Hendra Virus In Bats, Horses And Humans
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$648,339.00
Summary
We will examine why bats can be infected with Hendra Virus with no apparent symptoms, yet the virus causes severe disease in other mammals including humans. We will examine the innate immune response towards the virus in the natural host (fruit bats), horses and humans. In addition to the innate immune response we will also examine the adaptive immune response in bats and humans. We hope this information can be used to design new drugs or vaccines to Hendra Virus.
A vaccine to prevent AIDS is urgently needed. The European Union recently awarded over 20 million euros to a European consortium, called EAVI2020, to advance multiple HIV vaccines into human testing. Five Australian HIV vaccine experts are named investigators on this award to provide advanced laboratory analyses and intellectual input into the 5 year program if this NHMRC-EU Collaborative Research Grant is successful.