An Investigation Of The Involvement Of Clotting Factors In Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Progression Within A Mouse Model
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$189,401.00
Summary
Early stage weakening of the main abdominal artery is present in ~100,000 Australians and currently has no accepted therapy. Development of drug therapies which limit progression of the weakening process is urgently needed. In this study involvement of the clotting cascade in artery weakening will be investigated. The study have been planned in order to identify new strategies which can be developed as treatments for artery weakening in patients.
The Effect Of Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors On The Bone Environment In Multiple Myeloma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$356,899.00
Summary
Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable hematological malignancy with 1,400 people diagnosed each year. Severe bone loss occurs in up to 90% of these patientssignificantly impacting on quality of life resulting in severe bone pain and bone lesions that fail to heal. This project proposes that a novel histone deacetylase inhibitor could provide an appropriate therapeutic strategy that inhibits tumor growth and prevents bone loss whilst also promoting bone repair.
Many infants and children suffer from bowel motility disorders, for example, chronic constipation affects up to 1 in 10 children. However, the cause of many of these paediatric motility disorders remains unknown. In this project, we will examine the development of wiring of the nervous system that controls bowel motility. This is the first study to investigate the development of cell-cell communication during early stages of nervous system development.
NOD-like Receptors And Severe Malaria: Do Inflammasomes Mediate Immunopathogenesis?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$263,001.00
Summary
Our immune system is very effective in preventing disease. But sometimes our immune cells overreact and actually make us sick. Recently, a new component of the immune system, the inflammasome, was discovered. Overreaction of the inflammasome can result in fever, inflammation, and even death. This project will investigate whether inflammasome overreaction exacerbates diseases as diverse as malaria and cancer, and whether drugs that inhibit the inflammasome can help cure these and other diseases.
The Characterisation Of Deubiquitinating Enzyme A (DUBA) In The Control Of Innate And Adaptive Immune Signalling.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$396,041.00
Summary
In response to viruses, the immune system produces interferons. Interferons fight infections but can also contribute to autoimmune diseases, where the body mistakenly attacks itself. Production of interferons is regulated by DUBA. Thus DUBA is an attractive target for therapies against viruses or autoimmune diseases. To achieve this, it is important to understand not only the mechanism of action of DUBA, but also what other roles DUBA may play in the immune system. We can study these in mice.
Innate Immune Functions Of The Intracellular Antibody Receptor TRIM21
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,768.00
Summary
The immune system can fight viral infections with antibodies, which mark viruses outside of cells for elimination by immune cells. Antibody-coated viruses try to escape elimination by hiding inside cells. This project will determine how immune cells recognise the antibody-coated viruses ‘hiding’ within them, and the defence response they launch to eliminate viral infection. Such knowledge may allow us to develop better anti-viral drugs and vaccines to fight viral diseases like the common cold.
Billions of cells are destined to die everyday as a part of normal development and tissue homeostasis. A failure to clear dying cells rapidly and efficiently can lead to chronic inflammation, autoimmunity and developmental defects. This research project aims to investigate how the immune system detects the presence of dying cells and removes them efficiently.
Recognition And Interaction Of Virus By The Innate Immune System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$307,946.00
Summary
The innate immune system acts rapidly to limit infection of invading pathogens. The interaction and recognition of pathogens such as viruses by the innate immune system, is of importance to understand why particular pathogens induce disease.