Helminth Secretomes: From Vaccines To Novel Anti-inflammatory Biologics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$938,910.00
Summary
Billions of people in developing countries are infected with parasitic worms, but they have been eradicated from industrialised nations. Humans co-evolved with worms, so their recent removal has deprived us of signals required to keep inflammation in check. My research focuses on worm molecules that can be used to (1) develop vaccines to combat these parasitic infections in developing countries, and (2) as a novel platform of anti-inflammatory therapeutics for use in industrialised nations.
Small Molecule Therapeutics: From Infectious And Parasitic Diseases To Cancers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$763,845.00
Summary
I will lead a team of medicinal chemists to discover better treatments of diseases focused in two major domains. On one hand, I will discover new drugs to treat certain parasitic diseases such as Sleeping Sickness, Chagas disease and malaria, all caused by protozoal parasites. On the other hand, I will discover new drugs to treat certain cancers, in particular acute myeloid leukemia and Burkitt’s lymphoma, caused by dysfunction of certain types of enzymes called histone acetyltransferases.
Elimination Of Zoonotic Schistosomiasis And Echinococcosis Through Integrated Morbidity Control
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$898,008.00
Summary
I am a parasitologist researching the biology, immunology and epidemiology of human parasitic worms, particularly the schistosome bloodflukes and the hydatid tapeworms, which cause bilharzia and hydatidosis, diseases of the world’s poorest people that cause both major suffering and economic loss. My goal is to develop new methods, including vaccination, to control and eventually eliminate these parasites.
Immunological Prevention Of Cysticercosis And Hydatid Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$802,685.00
Summary
Professor Lightowlers’ has developed the world’s most effective vaccines against diseases caused by parasites. The vaccines prevent transmission of parasites from livestock animals to humans. During the next 5 years the vaccines will be produced on a large scale and evaluated in field trials. The products of this research program will make a major contribution to reducing the number of people suffering from parasitic cysts.
Therapeutic And Diagnostic Approaches For The Neurodegenerative Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$804,106.00
Summary
Diseases of the brain such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease cause enormous socio-economic harm to Australia. They are a major cause of disability and the burden associated with mental illness is predicted to grow by almost 50% over the coming decade. Therefore there is an urgent need to develop new approaches to identify and treat these diseases. This Fellowship will be dedicated to creating new diagnostic methods and treatments for these diseases
Exploration Of The Role Of Microbes In Gastrointestinal Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$687,974.00
Summary
This fellowship will investigate diseases of the gastrointestinal tract of children. The research program will undertake a range of is a highly innovative projects including; development of an effective rotavirus vaccine to be administered to newborns; genetic characterisation of rotavirus strains able to escape vaccine protection; and how alterations in the human gut microbiome (bacteria and viruses) influence the development/relapse of CrohnÍs disease.
Exploiting Existing Data Sources To Improve The Prevention And Treatment Of Cardiovascular Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$772,490.00
Summary
My program of research exploits several large databases to answer important issues in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD), which makes a huge contribution to the burden of illness and premature mortality in Australia. An underlying aim is to provide the evidence base to facilitate improvement of the existing CVD risk assessment guidelines in Australia, for better targeting of clinical advice and treatment.
Identifying Novel Targets To Treat And Prevent Diabetic Complications
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$697,209.00
Summary
Diabetes is the leading cause for kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplantation. Diabetic patients also have a higher risk to suffer from heart attacks, stroke and amputations in particular once kidney damage occurs. Current strategies fail to completely protect patients from complications. My research will uncover knowledge gaps in our understanding of diabetes complications, identify new targets ultimately leading to urgently needed more effective treatments and prevention strategies to ....Diabetes is the leading cause for kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplantation. Diabetic patients also have a higher risk to suffer from heart attacks, stroke and amputations in particular once kidney damage occurs. Current strategies fail to completely protect patients from complications. My research will uncover knowledge gaps in our understanding of diabetes complications, identify new targets ultimately leading to urgently needed more effective treatments and prevention strategies to reduce the burden of disease in diabetes.Read moreRead less
Although the major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases have been known for decades, and modern-day treatment is much advanced, the importance of these diseases persists, such that they remain the number one killer in Australia. This suggests that more can be done to correctly identify those at high and moderate risk of future disease, so as to optimize advice and medical treatment. This project will use the best evidence available to develop new methods of risk prediction and prevention.
Growing The Evidence Base For Improved Outcomes In Chronic Kidney Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$697,209.00
Summary
One in eight Australians has kidney disease, and is at increased risk of kidney failure, heart disease and stroke, and premature death. Despite this, very few treatments have been proven to be be effective at improving these outcomes. Professor Perkovic will undertake a suite of high-quality randomised trials and systematic reviews that will reliably identify new treatment approaches that will result in better quality and quantity of life for the millions of Australians affected by kidney diseas ....One in eight Australians has kidney disease, and is at increased risk of kidney failure, heart disease and stroke, and premature death. Despite this, very few treatments have been proven to be be effective at improving these outcomes. Professor Perkovic will undertake a suite of high-quality randomised trials and systematic reviews that will reliably identify new treatment approaches that will result in better quality and quantity of life for the millions of Australians affected by kidney diseaseRead moreRead less