The Effect Of Aging And Mitochondria Dysfunction On Optic Nerve Response To Oxidative Stress In Glaucoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$100,381.00
Summary
Glaucoma is a disease of the nerve cells in the retina and optic nerve of the eye, it is the second most common cause of blindness worldwide. The risk of developing glaucoma increases exponentially with age but the mechanisms that predispose older individuals to glaucoma are not known. This study examines whether age-related changes in mitochondria, a characteristic finding in aging, results in increase susceptibility to glaucoma development.
The Bcl-2 family of proteins is crucial for apoptosis (a form of programmed cell death) regulation. They target the mitochondrial outer membrane where they interact to determine cell fate. We will evaluate the membrane interactions of the Bcl-2 proteins in complementary biophysical and cellular experiments to redefine our understanding of the mechanism of apoptosis and provide new avenues for the development of compounds to selectively modulate diseases in which apoptosis is unregulated.
Targeting Dysfunctional Mitochondria In Macrophages To Inhibit Atherosclerosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,009,796.00
Summary
The major contributing cells to heart disease are macrophages. These cells scavenge cholesterol, keeping the blood vessels clean and limiting heart disease. The macrophages must process and donate the scavenged cholesterol onto HDL-cholesterol that carries them back to the liver for removal. This process requires the powerhouse of the cell, the mitochondria to be functional. We have discovered that process fails and have novel drugs to re-instate this process of cholesterol removal.
Dissecting The Pathogenesis Of The Severe Neurodegenerative Disease, Friedreich’s Ataxia: Development Of Novel Therapeutics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$316,449.00
Summary
Friedreich’s ataxia is a devastating neuro- and cardio-degenerative disorder which does not have an effective cure. The studies proposed in this Fellowship are crucial for understanding the progression of this disorder and the development of excitingly new therapeutics.
I am a neuroscientist employing strategies of biochemistry, pathology, pharmacology and developmental biology to examine the mechanisms of neuronal injury contributing to degenerative conditions. My major long-term interest has been excitotoxicity and rec