Airway Smooth Muscle Contribution To Remodelling In Asthma.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$211,320.00
Summary
Asthma is an airway disease that affects more than 10% of adults and 25% of children in Australia and in 1998 caused 675 deaths. The cost to the community is in excess of $720 million a year. The abnormality in asthma is not fully understood, however inflammation, changes to the structure of the airways and excessive airway narrowing are key factors. Inflammation and the allergic reactions which accompany asthma cause fluid to leak from tiny blood vessels in the lung. This fluid and the inflamma ....Asthma is an airway disease that affects more than 10% of adults and 25% of children in Australia and in 1998 caused 675 deaths. The cost to the community is in excess of $720 million a year. The abnormality in asthma is not fully understood, however inflammation, changes to the structure of the airways and excessive airway narrowing are key factors. Inflammation and the allergic reactions which accompany asthma cause fluid to leak from tiny blood vessels in the lung. This fluid and the inflammation are linked to changes in the airway which include structural protein deposition - breakdown and an overgrowth of the smooth muscle that lines the walls of the airway. Our work is focussed on understanding the relationship between the structural protein deposition - breakdown and excess muscle growth. We also hope to gain a better understanding of the way asthma treatments combat these changes in the asthmatic airways.Read moreRead less
Exploring The Role Of Matrix Metalloproteinase 12 (MMP12) In Macrophages During Bacterial Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$384,768.00
Summary
Golden staph infections incur a high morbidity and mortality in Australia costing AUD150M p.a. One of our strongest lines of defense, white blood cells, are known to secrete an extracellular enzyme, matrix metalloproteinase 12 (MMP12). MMP12 digests and modifies functions of other proteins. We will utilize unbiased large-scale “omics” technologies to identify genes responsible for infection dampening due to MMP12 function. This will allow for better informed drug design to treat superbugs.
Preventing Adverse Effects Of Matrix Metalloproteinases In Diabetic Wound Healing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$387,784.00
Summary
Treatment of diabetic foot ulcers presents a significant challenge to diabetic patients and the health care system. Despite concerted treatment, many ulcers do not heal and it is this failure to heal which eventually leads to deep-seated infection and amputation. For these reasons development of new therapeutic strategies to improve wound healing in diabetes is of critical importance. In this study we investigate the role of MMPs in particular MMP-9 in diabetic wounds and examine whether MMP inh ....Treatment of diabetic foot ulcers presents a significant challenge to diabetic patients and the health care system. Despite concerted treatment, many ulcers do not heal and it is this failure to heal which eventually leads to deep-seated infection and amputation. For these reasons development of new therapeutic strategies to improve wound healing in diabetes is of critical importance. In this study we investigate the role of MMPs in particular MMP-9 in diabetic wounds and examine whether MMP inhibition will improve wound healing in diabetes.Read moreRead less