Inflammasome Function In Protection Against Infectious Disease And Autoimmunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,010.00
Summary
Inflammation, characterised by swelling, heat, pain and redness, is a normal response to injury and infection. Many human diseases such as gout, athersclerosis, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease involve some inflammation, mediated through a common pathway termed the inflammasome. This project will investigate the proteins involved in this pathway and how they interact in their normal role of combatting infections, as well as a possible defect in this pathway in autoimmune patients.
Cytoplasmic DNA As A Danger Signal For Mammalian Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$592,661.00
Summary
DNA in mammalian cells is contained within a structure known as the nucleus. The presence of DNA outside the nucleus in the cytoplasm of the cell is a sure sign that something is wrong, and may indicate the presence of a viral invader. In this case, the cell initiates anti-viral responses, including production of anti-viral proteins and death of the infected cell to stop replication of the virus. Lack of proper control of these responses may contibute to the autoimmune disease lupus.