Targeting The Immune Cells Of The Brain To Develop Novel Treatments For Neurodevelopmental And Mental Health Problems In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,800,000.00
Summary
Neurodevelopmental and mental health problems are common in children and cause major impairment and cost to society. This research will define how the maternal immune system while pregnant can affect the baby brain. Using patient studies and laboratory research, this research will result in novel ways to reduce the prevalence and severity of developmental and mental health problems in children and adults, by targeting the immune cells resident in the brain.
Creating A Phenotypic Catalogue Of Synaptic Vesicle Cycling Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$876,975.00
Summary
Developmental disorders affect 2-5% of children. In order to understand how these mutations will likely affect neurological function in these individuals, and to develop a tailored care and treatment program, we must first understand how these mutations affect neuronal communication. This research program will identify the underlying cause of neurological dysfunction in a subset of these disorders (synaptic vesicle cycle disorders), affecting 1200-3000 children in Australia alone.
Precision Epigenetics: Targeting The Epigenome To Treat Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,940,576.00
Summary
Epigenetic marks are changes made to the DNA that allow genes to be switched off in some cells and switched on in others. These marks are critical to normal development and often go wrong in disease. We aim to find genes that add epigenetic marks to the DNA and understand how they co-operate at the molecular level to switch genes off. Our focus is on one such gene, SMCHD1. We are developing new drugs against SMCHD1 to treat incurable neurodevelopmental disorder PWS and muscular dystrophy FSHD.
Understanding The Mechanisms Of PTEN Transfer Into Glial Cells Using Exosomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$567,253.00
Summary
This application will develop a new way of treating brain cancer which currently affects 1500 adults in Australia per year with no lasting cures. The average patient with a malignant brain tumour do not survive for more than 12 months. We have discovered a method of restoring a cancer suppressor substance that is lost from brain tumours. If successful, this treatment has the potential to limit or reverse the progression of brain tumours.
An Integrated “omic” Approach To Neurodevelopmental Disorders Using Disease-discordant Monozygotic Twins
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$84,800.00
Summary
This project targets neurodevelopment disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy and epilepsy and focuses on studying the environmental factors (epigenetics) affecting the disease mechanisms in these disorders. The study will be performed on twin samples and will help in the diagnosis of the disease risk at an earlier stage. It will also help to understand the causes of these important neurological diseases.
Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a devastating, common developmental brain disorder once assumed to be due to lack of oxygen at birth. Using our unique Biobank with DNA and clinical data from families with a CP child, we are examining the genetic origins of CP and how genes and risk factors in pregnancy contribute. We will use computer modelling and testing in animals and brain cells, to understand causes of CP and devise predictive, preventative and therapeutic strategies.