Relaxin Receptor Structural Determination To Aid Therapeutic Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,249,114.00
Summary
The receptor for the peptide hormone relaxin, RXFP1, is being targeted by numerous drug companies for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. However, the lack of molecular detail of how relaxin binds and activates RXFP1 is hindering new drug development. We will determine the structure of the complex of relaxin bound to RXFP1 and the mechanism by which this activates cells. The knowledge gained will aid in the design of new drugs targeting RXFP1 for the treatment of cardiovascular disease.
Targeting Inflammatory Skin Disease Using An Immune-modulatory Human Signal Peptide
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$698,836.00
Summary
Effective drugs are desperately needed for the improved treatment of inflammatory diseases. We will determine how a modified human peptide, which we have discovered and can make, works to suppress harmful skin inflammation. We will design new formulations to deliver our drug to the skin in order to better treat psoriasis, an autoinflammatory skin disease. We will also trial our new drug in models of atopic dermatitis a debilitating skin disease for which there is limited treatment options.
Developing Novel Peptide-based Therapeutics And Technologies To Mitigate Fibrosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,161,383.00
Summary
Fibrosis (tissue scarring) is an unmet medical problem that adversely affects both human health and medical devices. It causes organ (e.g. heart, kidney) failure leading to death. Fibrotic encapsulation causes medical device (e.g. surgical mesh) failure. Our team has discovered a peptide, B7-33, that mitigates fibrosis in the short-term. Our IDEAS grant aims to develop long-acting B7-33 therapies and, to employ long-acting B7-33 mimetics in anti-fibrotic compositions for surgical meshes.
Preservation And Generation Of Beta Cells In Type 1 Diabetes With Novel Mimetic Peptides
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,096,055.00
Summary
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease that destroys insulin producing beta cells in the pancreas. It can cause heart and kidney disease, and nerve damage. T1D is treated with insulin injections that can cause life-threatening low blood sugar levels. We have developed a new treatment that may stop beta cell loss, generate new beta cells and remove the need for insulin injections in T1D patients. A positive outcome will identify a completely new T1D treatment option.