Epigenetic Hyperglycemic Cell Memory Causes Vascular Complications In Type 1 Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$332,140.00
Summary
This project seeks to identify how epigenetic change in response to hyperglycemia can cause vascular complications of diabetes, and how this contributes to “hyperglycemic memory”; a phenomena where cells may undergo gene modifications which increase risk to further complications later in a patients life. These studies are the first of their kind and will characterize the types of epigenetic change that can cause human disease.
Australian Ovarian Cancer Study (AOCS): A Multidisciplinary Ovarian Cancer Resource For The Genomic Era
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,404,500.00
Summary
Ovarian cancer is relatively uncommon and is histologically very diverse, making it difficult to analyse ovarian cancer at a molecular level, to identify genetic risk factors, or to understand the interaction of genes and environment. Recognizing that a large collaborative study was the only way to achieve sufficient power to address major translational questions in ovarian cancer, the Australian Ovarian Cancer Study was established and is now the largest study of its kind in the world. This pro ....Ovarian cancer is relatively uncommon and is histologically very diverse, making it difficult to analyse ovarian cancer at a molecular level, to identify genetic risk factors, or to understand the interaction of genes and environment. Recognizing that a large collaborative study was the only way to achieve sufficient power to address major translational questions in ovarian cancer, the Australian Ovarian Cancer Study was established and is now the largest study of its kind in the world. This proposal aims to maintain and add value to this unique resource for ovarian cancer research.Read moreRead less
Comparative And Evolutionary Genomics Of Schistosomes –Identifying Genes Associated With Parasitism, And Novel Drug And Vaccine Targets
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$352,229.00
Summary
Schistosomiasis remains an important cause of human illness and death globally. My project proposes comparative genomics and evolutionary analysis of recently sequenced schistosome taxa and all publicly available flatworm genomes. The study will provide novel insights into identifying gene functions and pathways important for the parasite-host interaction, reveal novel candidate anti-schistosome drug or vaccine targets, and identify genes associated with bladder tumorogenesis in S. haematobium.
Identification Of Telomere-specific Recombination Pathways
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$540,075.00
Summary
Human cells stop to grow when the natural ends of chromosomes become too short. One way of how cancer cells evade this growth arrest is by using a copy-mechanism to extend short chromosome ends. Ironically, this copy mechanism is usually used by cells to keep the structure of chromosomes intact in order to prevent mutations that cause cancer. Here we will study a novel protein that contributes to the copy mechanism at short chromosome ends, but not as much in normal mutation prevention.
To Investigate The Role Of ATM Protein In Protecting Against Neurodegeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$953,662.00
Summary
The overall aim of the project is to employ a rat model to investigate neurodegeneration in patients with ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T). Ataxia-telangiectasia is a complex multisystem disorder characterised by progressive neurological impairment, variable immunodeficiency and cancer predisposition. The rat model recapitulates the neurodegeneration in patients and thus this project will provide important insight into the nature of the defect as well as approaches for the treatment of the disorder.
I am an Opthalmologist specialising in the treatment of glaucoma and genetic eye diseases. I am trained in Molecular Genetics and researching the genetic causes of eye diseases, and how understanding the basis of disease will lead to improved outcomes.
Investigating The Altered Landscape Of Enteric Viruses Causing Severe Gastroenteritis In Australian Children Following Rotavirus Vaccine Introduction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,644.00
Summary
The rotavirus vaccines were introduced in Australia in 2007, decreasing rotavirus disease. Rotavirus strains naturally evolve during replication, however, high vaccine coverage in the population creates a new environment with different evolutionary pressures where strains not protected by the vaccines may emerge and become dominant. The diminished circulation of rotavirus may create an environment where other viruses capable of causing childhood gastroenteritis may increase.
Disease Registry Based Approaches To Determining Molecular Risk Factors For Glaucoma Blindness, And Applying Them In Clinical Practice
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$406,355.00
Summary
The Practitioner-Fellow has drawn together very large cohorts of patients from Australia, New Zealand and now internationally who have lost vision from Glaucoma and complications of Diabetes to determine the contributing factors. He has successfully identified major clinical and genetic risk factors for these diseases, and is now applying the knowledge to patients in early stages of disease, so that earlier and more aggressive treatment high risk individuals can lead to improved outcomes.
Identifying Mitochondrial Genome Variants Associated With Familial Migraine Susceptibility
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$443,273.00
Summary
New therapeutic targets for migraine are desperately needed. Although studies have identified some migraine genes there remains considerable underlying genetic variation to be characterised. This study aims to identify functional variants in the mitochondrial genome that contribute to migraine susceptibility, utilising the isolated Norfolk Island population. Outcomes will determine the significance of the variants identified, potentially leading to new diagnostics.