Investigating The Aetiopathogenic Role Of Autoantibodies Against The M1 Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor In Patients With First Episode Of Schizophrenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$830,986.00
Summary
Previously we have found that a proportion of patients with schizophrenia have elevated levels of antibodies that target one of the neurotransmitter receptors, the M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor, and that those patients who have the highest levels of antibodies tend to have more severe manifestations of some of the symptoms of schizophrenia. In this project, we will try to confirm this relationship, and also investigate further how this antibodies might be able to worsen specific symptoms.
Unraveling The Link Between HLA B27 And Autoimmunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$746,102.00
Summary
Ankylosing spondylitis and related diseases cause significant morbidity in up to 0.25% of the population. Current treatments have limited efficacy and often debilitating side effects. More targeted peptide antigen based therapies will have fewer side effects and would be of major clinical importance to this group of diseases. This project seeks to identify peptide antigens that could be used in targeted immunotherapy. We also seek to understand how some of the idiosyncratic properties of HLA B27
Understanding Determinant Selection In Autoimmune Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$686,656.00
Summary
Understanding what the immune system perceives during infection or in autoimmunity is key to the development of improved vaccines and therapies for a variety of human diseases. This proposal builds on leading research into the definition of targets of immunity in autoimmune diseases using cutting edge proteomic technologies. The proposal focuses on type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis and will delineate candidate therapeutic molecules.