THE INTERFACE BETWEEN INNATE AND ADAPTIVE IMMUNITY
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,905,420.00
Summary
Allergic disorders including asthma are amongst the most prevalent diseases in Australia afflicting up to 25% of the population and costing the Australian Government in excess of $600 million annually. This program aims to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms controlling airway inflammation, focusing on the cross-talk between scavenger cells at airway surfaces and circulating cells of the immune system. These studies will combine sophisticated mouse models of airway inflammation in t ....Allergic disorders including asthma are amongst the most prevalent diseases in Australia afflicting up to 25% of the population and costing the Australian Government in excess of $600 million annually. This program aims to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms controlling airway inflammation, focusing on the cross-talk between scavenger cells at airway surfaces and circulating cells of the immune system. These studies will combine sophisticated mouse models of airway inflammation in the laboratory with clinical investigation and analysis of human tissue. Understanding these processes will translate into better treatments for patients suffering from life-threatening allergy and asthma.Read moreRead less
Novel Strategies For Improving Respiratory Support And Outcomes For Very Preterm Babies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$8,381,820.00
Summary
Very premature birth is the commonest cause of illness and death in newborn babies, making it one of the most serious and costly issues in perinatal medicine. The major problem suffered by very premature babies is lung immaturity and its associated harmful effects on brain development. Most very premature babies require resuscitation followed by ventilatory support,often for several weeks. This is extremely expensive and places an enormous financial burden on health care systems. Furthermore, it ....Very premature birth is the commonest cause of illness and death in newborn babies, making it one of the most serious and costly issues in perinatal medicine. The major problem suffered by very premature babies is lung immaturity and its associated harmful effects on brain development. Most very premature babies require resuscitation followed by ventilatory support,often for several weeks. This is extremely expensive and places an enormous financial burden on health care systems. Furthermore, it increases the risks of respiratory illnesses, including bronchopulmonary dysplasia and chronic lung disease which can impair breathing and increase susceptibility to respiratory disease such as asthma later in life. The overall aim of this program is to improve outcomes for very premature babies, including less lung injury, better respiratory health and shorter stays in hospitals. In order to reduce the health burden caused by very premature birth on the community we need to know more about how it alters the normal development of the lungs in the newborn period and into later life. In particular, we need to understand the cellular and molecular processes involved in lung development so that we can identify gene networks and developmental processes that are disrupted by severe premature birth. Such knowledge is necessary to provide a more rational, scientific basis for managing and treating the alterations in lung structure and function caused by premature birth. We also need to develop better ways of resuscitating and ventilating these infants so that lung injury is minimized.The research team is led by two neonatologists and three biomedical research scientists with a proven record of effective collaboration. This team is internationally unique in that it includes practicing neonatologists, respiratory physiologists and molecular biologists who have collaborated together productively and are regarded as world leaders in their respective fields. New talents have been brought into the team to provide expertise in pulmonary stem cell biology, the design of novel steroid drugs, and clinical follow-up. Together, this team has the potential (a) to greatly enhance the understanding of the impact of very premature birth on the developing lung, (b) to improve resuscitation and ventilation techniques, and (c) to translate the new knowledge into clinical practice to improve the outcome for prematurely born babies. Using well characterized animal models we will determine gene networks involved in fetal lung development and how these are altered by premature birth. The successful transition from fetal to postnatal life is critical for survival at birth but more information is needed. Using newborn lambs and rabbits, we will trial novel strategies for enhancing the transformation of the immaturelung into an effective gas exchange organ at birth. New data on lung aeratioRead moreRead less
The immune system plays an important role in protecting the host from viral and bacterial infections, and inhibits cancer onset and progression. Unfortunately the immune system can sometimes lose specificity and attack the host resulting in autoimmune diseases such as diabetes. This research team has played a vital role in characterising the specific activities of immune cells and the associated factors. By understanding these complex processes the team aims to harness the unique therapeutic pro ....The immune system plays an important role in protecting the host from viral and bacterial infections, and inhibits cancer onset and progression. Unfortunately the immune system can sometimes lose specificity and attack the host resulting in autoimmune diseases such as diabetes. This research team has played a vital role in characterising the specific activities of immune cells and the associated factors. By understanding these complex processes the team aims to harness the unique therapeutic properties of our own immune system and translate their findings into the clinic.Read moreRead less
Immune Regulation, Effector Function And Human Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$11,474,346.00
Summary
The immune system plays an important role in protecting the host from viral and bacterial infections, and inhibits cancer onset and progression. Immune processes proceed through specialised cells in conjunction with soluble factors such as inteferons and interleukins. These soluble factors can regulate the activities of immune cells, and inhibit the growth and survival of aberrant (virus infected, cancer) cells. Unfortunately, the immune system can sometimes lose specificity and attack the host, ....The immune system plays an important role in protecting the host from viral and bacterial infections, and inhibits cancer onset and progression. Immune processes proceed through specialised cells in conjunction with soluble factors such as inteferons and interleukins. These soluble factors can regulate the activities of immune cells, and inhibit the growth and survival of aberrant (virus infected, cancer) cells. Unfortunately, the immune system can sometimes lose specificity and attack the host, resulting in autoimmune diseases such as diabetes. This research team has played a vital role in characterising the specific activities of immune cells and the associated factors. Importantly, they are deciphering the intricate communication networks of these immune components and dissecting their modes of action. By understanding these complex processes, the team aims to harness the unique therapeutic properties of our own immune system and translate their findings into the clinic. The team is developing new immune-based therapies for use, either alone or in combination with existing chemotherapies to fight debilitating human diseases such as cancer and autoimmune disease.Read moreRead less
This Program Grant has three investigators, Professor Denis Moss, Dr Rajiv Khanna and Dr Scott Burrows, each of whom has collaborated on two previous Program Grants. The group is well known in the area of herpesvirus immunology and have published numerous scientific papers in leading medical journals. This program grant focuses on two human herpesviruses. The first is called Epstein-Barr virus which causes glandular fever and is associated with arange of human cancers. The second virus is human ....This Program Grant has three investigators, Professor Denis Moss, Dr Rajiv Khanna and Dr Scott Burrows, each of whom has collaborated on two previous Program Grants. The group is well known in the area of herpesvirus immunology and have published numerous scientific papers in leading medical journals. This program grant focuses on two human herpesviruses. The first is called Epstein-Barr virus which causes glandular fever and is associated with arange of human cancers. The second virus is human cytomegalovirus which can cause birth defects and problems in transplant patients. In this program we are investigating how the body�s immune system controls these viruses to exploit this information to develop new treatments.Read moreRead less
Immunological Therapies For Cancer And Autoimmunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,928,323.00
Summary
The programme team comprises a group of leading scientists with a history of successful investigation into the mechanisms and treatment of diseases in which the immune system plays a role in their development. These include cancers of the cervix and blood system, and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes. Working together, the team have made discoveries that have led to testing and clinical development of new treatments for these diseases. In this programme, the te ....The programme team comprises a group of leading scientists with a history of successful investigation into the mechanisms and treatment of diseases in which the immune system plays a role in their development. These include cancers of the cervix and blood system, and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes. Working together, the team have made discoveries that have led to testing and clinical development of new treatments for these diseases. In this programme, the team aims to discover mechanisms regulating the immune response, and to exploit this knowledge to define new ways of switching on or off, specific immune responses. We will particularly seek to develop novel vaccines for chronic infections and autoimmune diseases, and to improve the safety of bone marrow transplantation.Read moreRead less
Improved Respiratory Support And Outcomes For Very Preterm Babies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$9,185,907.00
Summary
Premature babies are born with lungs that are not developed enough to sustain their breathing needs after birth. As a result, they need intensive care which is the most costly and challenging problem in newborn medicine as these infants can suffer life-long diseases because of their early birth. This programs study will help to understand the causes of lung disease in premature babies and develop better ways of caring for them to improve their chances of survival without ongoing illness and disa ....Premature babies are born with lungs that are not developed enough to sustain their breathing needs after birth. As a result, they need intensive care which is the most costly and challenging problem in newborn medicine as these infants can suffer life-long diseases because of their early birth. This programs study will help to understand the causes of lung disease in premature babies and develop better ways of caring for them to improve their chances of survival without ongoing illness and disabilityRead moreRead less