Sphingosine Kinase: A Target For Obesity-induced Insulin Resistance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$626,845.00
Summary
Insulin resistance, a characteristic of type 2 diabetes, is linked to abnormal metabolism of lipid (fat) in tissues such as liver and muscle. This project aims to identify a novel pathway which may promote a build up of lipids in liver and therefore leads to the development of type 2 diabetes. This work may provide a basis for understanding and optimizing treatment of insulin resistance by regulating the control of fat metabolism in liver.
The CDP Ethanolamine Pathway: A New Player In Obesity Induced Insulin Resistance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$652,372.00
Summary
Insulin resistance, a characteristic of type 2 diabetes, is linked to abnormal metabolism of lipid (fat) in tissues such as liver and muscle. This project aims to identify a novel pathway which may promote a build up of lipids in muscle and therefore leads to the development of type 2 diabetes. This work may provide a basis for understanding and optimizing treatment of insulin resistance by regulating the control of fat metabolism in muscle.
Understanding The Role Of Sugar Metabolism In Liver Tumour Growth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,979.00
Summary
Primary liver cancer is a deadly disease with limited chemotherapeutic options. The investigators of this proposal have recently determined that sugar intake (but not fat or complex carbohydrate) is a dominant driver of liver tumour growth in mice. The current proposal will investigate the specific contributions of glucose versus fructose in tumour burden, and determine whether blocking the conversion of sugars to fat in the liver represents a therapeutic strategy to block tumour growth in mice.
Does Periodic Fasting Improve Insulin Sensitivity And Metabolic Health In Humans?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$846,891.00
Summary
A large body of evidence for the health benefits and life-extending properties of dietary restriction exists. Recent findings suggest that periods of fasting can have beneficial effects, even without an overall reduction in caloric intake. This proposal will compare periodic fasting with and without weight loss, versus daily caloric restriction on metabolic health outcomes in humans and examine mechanisms that may contribute to this effects.
Transcriptome Landscape Of Brown/beige Adipogenesis In Humans
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$393,369.00
Summary
There are three kinds of fat in the body: white, brown and beige. While excess white fat results in obesity, brown fat is associated with leanness and lowers blood glucose levels. Recent animal experiments show that under certain conditions, white fat can be transformed into beige fat, leading to benefits such as weight loss. The current project grant involves examination of human fat cells grown in the laboratory and investigation on the genetics of brown and beige fat.
REGULATION OF LIPID METABOLISM IN SKELETAL MUSCLE BY IDOL – A Novel Degrader Of The Very Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$557,162.00
Summary
More than 1 in 5 Australians are estimated to have increased levels of fats (triglycerides; TGs) in the blood, commonly due to excess dietary intake or genetics. The excess TGs are deposited in skeletal muscle where they can cause insulin resistance, increasing the risk of developing diabetes, the fastest growing chronic condition in Australia. I will examine whether a recently identified protein, IDOL, can reduce accumulation of TGs in skeletal muscle and protect against insulin resistance.
Blocking IL-6 Trans-signaling: A Therapeutic Strategy To Prevent Metabolic Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$540,636.00
Summary
It is well known that blocking the recruitment of specific immune cells namely macrophages to adipose tissue of obese patients will improve their metabolic health. However, to date, a viable drug to do this has remained elusive. We have developed such a drug called sgp130Fc. This project will test the effectiveness of this drug in a pre-clinical setting.
Activation Of HSP72 In Skeletal Muscle As A Therapeutic Target For Obesity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$656,033.00
Summary
We recently discovered that activation of a protein, namely Heat Shock Protein 72, can prevent obesity and insulin resistance in mice. We have developed a small molecule activator of this protein which has undergone preliminary human clinical trials. This project will extend upon this initial finding to determine the precise mechanism by which activation of this protein prevents obesity and insulin resistance.
It’s The Amount That Counts: The Impact Of Seven Days Of Sleep Restriction On Predictors Of Type 2 Diabetes.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$743,269.00
Summary
The aim of this project is to examine the relationship between sleep duration (5, 6, 7, 8, or 9h per day for one week) and glucose metabolism. This will allow us to quantify the amount of harm that different levels of sleep loss cause to the physiological systems that protect people from developing serious health disorders. In particular, the results of the project will be invaluable in the design of effective behavioural interventions for the prevention and/or treatment of type 2 diabetes.
The amyloid beta (Ab) protein is implicated in Alzheimer’s Disease through its ability to impair brain metabolism. We have recently found that Ab can also impair metabolism in other tissues. This project will determine the role of Ab in regulating whole body metabolism and determine whether it is implicated in the development of metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes.