Human Arylamine N-acetyltransferase Regulation And Function - Effect Of Genetic Poymorphisms.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$421,980.00
Summary
How we handle chemicals that enter our bodies depends on a series of enzymes that are responsible for breaking down the chemicals and eliminating them. The activity of many of these enzymes varies between individuals so our responses to chemicals and drugs is different for each individual. Some of the enzymes vary because of inherited mutations, but others vary because of the diets we eat and the environment in which we live. This project will investigate a major enzyme called acetlytransferase ....How we handle chemicals that enter our bodies depends on a series of enzymes that are responsible for breaking down the chemicals and eliminating them. The activity of many of these enzymes varies between individuals so our responses to chemicals and drugs is different for each individual. Some of the enzymes vary because of inherited mutations, but others vary because of the diets we eat and the environment in which we live. This project will investigate a major enzyme called acetlytransferase that has been implicated as a risk factor in diseases such as cancer, asthma, liver cirrhossis and adverse drug reactions. We plan to look at the enzyme in cells and determine what environmental factors contribute to its variation between individuals, and how this impacts on the genetic mutations that have been found in its gene. From these studies, we will have a much better undersanding of how different people metabolise foreign chemicals, and should be able to predict those most at risk of certain diseases.Read moreRead less
Neurogenic Mechanisms Of Cardiovascular Risk In The Metabolic Syndrome: Benefits Of Lifestyle Interventions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$328,194.00
Summary
One in four adult Australians has the 'metabolic syndrome' (MetS), a clustering of metabolic and heart disease risk factors associated with abdominal obesity. Sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity is increased in the MetS resulting in enhanced release of the stress hormone 'noradrenaline' . This project will examine the biological and genetic determinants of enhanced SNS activity and the benefits of lifestyle interventions (weight loss, weight loss maintenance and aerobic exercise).
Gene Variants In Adiponectin And Its Receptors As Risk Factors For Metabolic And Cardiovascular Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$534,107.00
Summary
Obesity has a major impact on the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS), type 2 diabetes (T2D), and cardiovascular disease (CVD). It is important to identify the molecular links between obesity and these conditions. Adiponectin, an adipocyte-specific hormone, is a likely molecular candidate because of its pleiotropic metabolic actions. We will investigate the role of adiponectin, the variants within its gene ADIPOQ, and that of its two receptors, in the development of MetS, T2D, and CVD.
Identification Of Novel Genes Influencing Development Of Type 2 Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$558,920.00
Summary
Type 2 diabetes is usually associated with obesity and is often part of a wider disturbance affecting an individual's energy metabolism. The number of affected people with type 2 diabetes has trebled since 1981 in Australia and is still increasing. Apart from individual suffering, this presents a major public health burden for the country (approx $3 billion annually). Currently available lifestyle based and pharmaceutical therapies are inadequate to control the increasing numbers of affected ind ....Type 2 diabetes is usually associated with obesity and is often part of a wider disturbance affecting an individual's energy metabolism. The number of affected people with type 2 diabetes has trebled since 1981 in Australia and is still increasing. Apart from individual suffering, this presents a major public health burden for the country (approx $3 billion annually). Currently available lifestyle based and pharmaceutical therapies are inadequate to control the increasing numbers of affected individuals. Unfortunately the cause of disease is poorly understood, although genetic factors are known to be important, in other words it runs in the family. This project proposes to identify some of these factors (genes) and how they contribute to the disease. Using molecular flags on the DNA (like DNA fingerprinting) we have previously found that a small region on chromosome 12 is likely to carry one or more of these disease genes. But there are over 100 genes in the region. To help choose the most likely candidates first for testing, we have developed an automated computer database searching program ranked the genes based on what is already known about them. We have also taken a large number of physiological measures in a large group of people. Some of these measures are controlled by the same chromosome 12 region - thus to improve our chances of finding the genes quickly we will look at those that change the most between people with diabetes and people without diabetes. In this project we shall investigate the 20 genes most likely affect diabetes based on changes in physiological measures and what is already known about them. A successful finding means we will know more about the mechanism of disease development and be able to better develop new therapies for treatment and prevention. If none of these genes are the culprit, we would continue examination of the next set of genes likely to be involved and so on until we are successful.Read moreRead less
A Whole Genome Association Study For Determinants Of Clinical Outcome And Treatment Response In Chronic Hepatitis C
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,133.00
Summary
Chronic hepatitis C infection (CHC) causes liver failure, liver cancer and death. The treatment response rate is poor. Understanding of the factors that increase an individual’s risk of developing serious liver disease, or that lead to treatment failure, is limited. This project, the first of its kind, will involve screening 1600 CHC patients for genes that are associated with disease outcome and treatment response, to identify novel targets for drug and vaccine development
Mitochondrial Function And The Role Of PGC-1a In Parkinson�s Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$113,322.00
Summary
Parkinson's Disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in Australia. Insights into the mechanisms causing Parkinson's disease may lead to therapeutic advances. This project will examine PGC-1a, a co-factor involved in the regulation of cellular energy metabolism, and examine it's role in the development of neuro-degeneration in Parkinson's disease. We aim to provide further understanding of cellular function in Parkinson's disease, and assist in therapeutic trials in neuro-degen ....Parkinson's Disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in Australia. Insights into the mechanisms causing Parkinson's disease may lead to therapeutic advances. This project will examine PGC-1a, a co-factor involved in the regulation of cellular energy metabolism, and examine it's role in the development of neuro-degeneration in Parkinson's disease. We aim to provide further understanding of cellular function in Parkinson's disease, and assist in therapeutic trials in neuro-degeneration.Read moreRead less
Individualisation Of Immunosuppressant Therapy In Renal Transplant Recipients.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$113,496.00
Summary
People who undergo kidney transplantation require potent anti-rejection medications. Dosing is difficult. Two people given the same drug dose can have markedly different blood drug concentrations. If drug concentrations too low, there is an increased risk of rejection. If too high, there is an increased risk of drug side effects, infections and cancer. This study aims to find out why different people need different doses and to improve dosing methods, thereby improving patient outcomes.
Mental health problems begin in childhood. I am a behavioural scientist funded to tease out the early markers of risk. I am specifically focusing on the behavioural and genetic aspects of abnormalities of emotion processing and how best to intervene early
Human Pigmentation Genetics, Melanocyte Biology And Skin Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$686,656.00
Summary
The fellowship application by A/Prof Sturm is to support his research into the biology of human skin, hair and eye colour, and the process of melanoma formation. His pivotal discoveries into the genetic basis of pigmentation and its regulation has provided an understanding of these physical traits and the associated genotypic risk factors for skin cancer development. The genes that determine an individual's skin phototype and the mechanisms involved in the tanning response after UV-exposure of t ....The fellowship application by A/Prof Sturm is to support his research into the biology of human skin, hair and eye colour, and the process of melanoma formation. His pivotal discoveries into the genetic basis of pigmentation and its regulation has provided an understanding of these physical traits and the associated genotypic risk factors for skin cancer development. The genes that determine an individual's skin phototype and the mechanisms involved in the tanning response after UV-exposure of the skin are actively being investigated.Read moreRead less