Functional Genomics-new Technologies For Gene Discovery And Personalised Medicine
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$452,122.00
Summary
Disorders of the brain, which affect people of all ages, are one of the largest health, economic and social burdens in the developed world. These conditions are chronic, debilitating and have limited symptomatic treatments available. In general, very little is known about the causes of many brain disorders. This project aims to identify the genes and mechanisms that underlie these diseases to enable the development of diagnostic and treatment programs to help reduce the incidence and severity of ....Disorders of the brain, which affect people of all ages, are one of the largest health, economic and social burdens in the developed world. These conditions are chronic, debilitating and have limited symptomatic treatments available. In general, very little is known about the causes of many brain disorders. This project aims to identify the genes and mechanisms that underlie these diseases to enable the development of diagnostic and treatment programs to help reduce the incidence and severity of disease.Read moreRead less
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.
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.
I am a cancer biologist investigating mechanisms that regulate the aberrant cell proliferation in cancers, particularly melanomas. I am attempting to utilise defects in normal proliferative mechanisms as targets for novel anti-cancer therapies.
The Role Of IGF2 And MTOR In Placental Development In Normal And Pregnancy Perturbations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$207,002.00
Summary
20% of Australian women develop a problem during pregnancy which can cause illness or death of mother or baby. These are linked with poor placental growth and function. This project will identify novel regulators of human and mouse placental development using state-of-the-art molecular and cellular techniques. This will provide a better understanding of placental development and potentially direct future diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for pregnancy complications
Nerve cell survival is dependent on both growth-promoting factors and factors released by neurotransmission, which can promote recovery in neurodegenerative conditions by overriding cell death pathways. The molecule responsible for activating death pathways in the nervous system is called p75. This project will investigate how p75 results in cell death, how synaptic signals can prevent the activation of the p75 death pathway and whether blocking p75 function can limit neurodegeneration.
How Does Fra-1 Regulate The Invasive Properties Of Tumour Cells?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$468,119.00
Summary
Most cancer deaths occur when tumours spread and destroy vital body functions. The invasion of tumour cells into surrounding tissue is a critical step during the spread of cancer. This project aims to unravel the molecular mechanisms that control the ability of tumour cells to invade into surrounding tissue and subsequently spread to other sites in the body. We expect to identify potential targets to better diagnose and treat the spread of cancer.
Malaria is one of the worlds most significant health problems and is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium. We aim to understand the biology, pathogenesis, and epidemiology of P. falciparum and P. vivax infections together with a strong translational direction. Our studies will thus lead to the discovery and development of novel tools aiding in the renewed efforts for the global elimination of malaria.
Human Epilepsy: Understanding Biology To Improve Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$16,657,948.00
Summary
Our team of neurologists, molecular geneticists, physiologists and brain imaging specialists and leads the world in the discovery of the genetic causes of epilepsy. Through this work we will identify genes underlying epilepsy and study how genetic variations result in the development of seizures. Advanced brain imaging will be used to understand the effects of genetic variation on brain structure and function. This study may lead to new diagnostic methods and treatments for epilepsy.
Understanding Virulence Of Invasive Staphylococcus Aureus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$772,711.00
Summary
Staph aureus (Golden staph) is a major cause of disease in humans. In this project we will use state-of-the-art molecular biology and genomics to fully understand the mechanisms of virulence in this pathogen. This information will inform future approaches to development of therapeutics, as well as the use of genomics in clinical microbiology and disease management.