C-Jun N-terminal Kinase Actions In The Response To Stress
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$480,127.00
Summary
All cells in our body sense and respond to stressful changes in our environment. We are focused on enzymes called JNKs that relay this information, and so form part of the key response pathways. JNKs are now being evaluated as new drug targets for the treatment of diseases including diabetes and stroke, but we know very little about how JNKs work in stressed cells. We will define new partners for the JNKs and in so doing reveal new information on the stress-activated events they regulate.
Controlling Neuroinflammation In Alzheimers Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$639,577.00
Summary
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide, with 269,000 Australians currently diagnosed with AD and is expected to soar to about 981,000 by 2050. AD accounts for greater than 60% of all cases of dementia. This grant investigates the role that neuroinflammation plays in the progression and exacerbation of AD and will identify new therapeutic strategies to combat this insidious disease.
Humanisation And Pre-clinical Validation Of A Therapeutic Anti-cancer Antibody
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$699,136.00
Summary
This grant will develop a novel antibody against a protease expressed on cancer cells. Preclinical studies, and antibody humanisation, will be performed. This project will also provide vital information on optimal therapeutic approaches with the antibody that can be ultimately taken into human trials.
Exploring Scanning Ultrasound (SUS), A Novel Method To Treat And Prevent Neurodegenerative Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$765,708.00
Summary
We developed a novel scanning ultrasound (SUS) protocol that clears toxic protein aggregates and restores memory function in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease (AD), without the need for therapeutic agents. Here we aim to determine whether SUS has preventative potential, whether there are synergistic effects, and whether a therapeutic antibody combined with SUS leads to an enhanced therapeutic outcome. Together this will guide the development of an ultrasound therapy in AD patients.
ADAM Metalloprotease Inhibition For Treatment Of Colorectal Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$770,925.00
Summary
Colorectal cancer (CRC) causes over 4000 deaths/year, typically from developing drug resistance and spreading to other organs (metastasis). These processes involve tumour cells called cancer stem cells (CSCs), which rely on specific cell surface proteins for survival and function. We are developing antibodies against one of these type of proteins, to test in mouse models of CRC. These already show promise in targeting CSCs and inhibiting drug-resistance and metastasis in mice.
Controlling Neuroinflammation In Alzheimer's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Summary
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide, with 269,000 Australians currently diagnosed with AD and is expected to soar to about 981,000 by 2050. AD accounts for greater than 60% of all cases of dementia. This grant investigates the role that neuroinflammation plays in the progression and exacerbation of AD and will identify new therapeutic strategies to combat this insidious disease.
An Integrated Systems Biology Approach For The Development Of New Therapeutic Strategies For The Treatment Of High Grade Glioma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$696,404.00
Summary
Glioma, the most common adult brain cancer, is incurable. Recent advances now allow us to grow glioma cells directly from patients in the laboratory in a way that preserves the features of the original tumor. In this proposal we will systematically analyze such cells using state-of-the-art technologies to identify new processes important to glioma, which in turn should facilitate the identification of innovative therapeutic approaches.
The Role Of Cellular Microdomains In G-protein Coupled Receptor Signalling.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$385,297.00
Summary
Molecules communicate with cells by attaching to proteins called receptors on the outside of cells, and triggering a series of events inside the cell. These events initially include the assembly of multiple proteins at the cell surface. This project will examine the formation of receptors and other proteins into these ‘communication complexes’. This will provide novel targets for more selective drug development.
Targeting Necroptosis Signalling To Counter Stroke-induced Brain Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$605,809.00
Summary
The origins of the brain injury that arises from stroke remain a matter of enormous interest. Our work suggests that a poorly understood form of cell death, termed necroptosis, contributes to injury to the brain following stroke. In addition to developing an advanced understanding of this process, we will use drugs developed at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute to test whether blocking this process might be a plausible therapeutic strategy in stroke patients.
DYRK1A As A Novel Target For Glioblastoma Therapies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$620,294.00
Summary
Glioblastoma is a form of brain cancer that is currently incurable. We have discovered that switching-off an enzyme called DYRK1A (using ‘DYRK1A inhibitors’) kills glioblastoma cells. This therapeutic advantage is even greater when combined with drugs approved for other cancers. This project will develop new DYRK1A inhibitors and examine a novel combination treatment for glioblastoma patients. This could initiate a novel therapy that could significantly extend patients’ lives.