Pro-apoptotic Therapies For The Treatment Of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Disease And Latent Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$140,949.00
Summary
Programmed cell death has an important role in our ability to fight organisms. Upon infection, processes result in activation of death-inducing cascades, resulting in death of cell and pathogen. M. tuberculosis, an escalating health problem, has developed mechanisms to prevent this, leading to latency. This study, which uses mouse M.tb models, hypothesises that reversal of these mechanisms, using drugs currently in trial in leukaemia (ABT-737 & BV6), may lead to clearance of infection.
Protein Prenylation And Inflammation: New Insights Into The Pathophysiology And Treatment Of Mevalonate Kinase Deficiency
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$715,755.00
Summary
This project is focused on a genetic, potentially fatal, inflammatory disease that appears in infancy. We have developed a new way of detecting the underlying defect as well as the first animal models that have the same genetic mutations and mimic the disease. With these revolutionary new approaches, we will discover the exact cause of the inflammation, test a new way of diagnosing the disease, and identify new and better therapies that treat the underlying cause rather than just the symptoms.
Defining The Role Of Nlrp1 And The Inflammasome In Host Defence And Inflammatory Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$634,459.00
Summary
The immune system protects the body from invading pathogens, but it can also attack the body causing inflammatory and autoimmune diseases like arthritis and multiple sclerosis. This project will focus on the molecular regulation of the ïinflammasomeÍ, a protein complex that senses invading pathogens and triggers the immune response. Understanding the inflammasome may hold the key to a better understanding of how the good and bad functions of the immune system can be balanced to prevent disease.
All cells in the body need to get their energy from somewhere, and the chemical basis of their energy supply varies depends on many factors, including their location and rate of cell division. We have found that an important population of white blood cells that control the character and magnitude of most immune responses appear to use an unusual source of their energy. If true this would provide a range of new opportunities to control the numbers and activities of these cells, a thereby control ....All cells in the body need to get their energy from somewhere, and the chemical basis of their energy supply varies depends on many factors, including their location and rate of cell division. We have found that an important population of white blood cells that control the character and magnitude of most immune responses appear to use an unusual source of their energy. If true this would provide a range of new opportunities to control the numbers and activities of these cells, a thereby control the character and magnitude of immune responses.Read moreRead less
Investigating The Role Of Mucosal Associated Invariant T (MAIT) Cells In Mycobacterium Tuberculosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$122,566.00
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) is a deadly infectious disease that kills 2 million people per year worldwide. If we are to eliminate this disease, we urgently need a new TB vaccine. I plan to look at what role a newly discovered type of T cell might play in TB infection and to see whether these cells can be manipulated by vaccination. This work will help us to understand more about the body’s first response to TB infection and how we can use this response in the design of new TB vaccines.
Novel Role Of Inflammasomes In The Molecular Pathogenesis Of Emphysema
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$764,462.00
Summary
Emphysema is a chronic lung disease that is caused by dysregulation of the immune system, leading to inflammation and destruction of lung tissue. Although emphysema is associated with cigarette smoking, the key components of the immune system which promote emphysema remain ill-defined. Using elaborate mouse models for emphysema, together with biopsies from emphysema patients, our aim is to reveal the role of a protein complex in the immune system called the inflammasome in driving emphysema.
Role For Dipeptidyl Peptidase-IV In The Innate Immune Response
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$302,123.00
Summary
The innate immune system is the bodyÍs first line of defence in fighting off infections by invading organisms. An inappropriate innate immune response can lead to the development of several inflammatory conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease. A malfunctioning innate immune response has been identified in children with IBD. This project will determine the role of a unique enzyme called DPIV in the development of innate immune responses and its potential as a therapeutic target for IBD.
Inhibitors Of Class II HDACs In Inflammatory And Metabolic Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$615,774.00
Summary
Inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and inflammatory bowel syndrome are major social and economic burdens on Australian communities. Obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease are also now widely viewed as inflammatory diseases. New specialised types of anti-inflammatory drugs are urgently needed to treat such diseases. This project proposes to create new classes of anti-inflammatory drugs by altering anti-cancer drugs called histone deacetylase inhibitors.