Relaxin family peptides are small proteins that have numerous essential biological roles in the vascular system, brain and gut. The hormone relaxin is currently in Phase III clinical trials to treat heart failure and the other peptides show great potential as drugs to treat diseases including mental illnesses and obesity. My research focuses on developing drugs targeting the receptors for these important peptide systems and understanding how these drugs can be best used therapeutically
Novel Candidate Genes, Lung Function And Allergic Airways Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$581,892.00
Summary
We propose to study airway remodelling (structural changes to the airway) and in asthma using human samples and rodent models of asthma. We are particularly interested in investigating the role of trefoil peptide 2 and relaxin, two genes identified as determining lung function. To do this we need to understand the mechanisms of airway remodelling and its impact on disease severity in the patient. A strength of this study is availability of samples from a large study of human asthma.
The Bcl-2 family of proteins is crucial for apoptosis (a form of programmed cell death) regulation. They target the mitochondrial outer membrane where they interact to determine cell fate. We will evaluate the membrane interactions of the Bcl-2 proteins in complementary biophysical and cellular experiments to redefine our understanding of the mechanism of apoptosis and provide new avenues for the development of compounds to selectively modulate diseases in which apoptosis is unregulated.
Development Of Selective Melanocortin Receptor Agonists And Antagonists
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$684,607.00
Summary
Human melanocortin receptors play a key role in a variety of physiological processes ranging from energy regulation, skin pigmentation and regulation of food intake. This project aims to generate novel peptide based molecules that will selectively interact with different melanocortin receptors to better understand their pharmacology thereby opening the potential for future drug development for obesity, stroke or inflammatory skin disorders.
I am a physiologist with expertise in endocrinology determining the roles of particular regulatory peptides in the normal functions of the gastrointestinal tract and in the development of gastrointestinal, renal and prostate cancers.
Potent Small Molecule Modulators Of A Complement Protein In Inflammation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$689,428.00
Summary
We have invented powerful new compounds that act on the cell surface and regulate inflammation. We plan to (1) fine-tune our small molecules for optimal activity on different kinds of immune cells; (2) understand mechanisms by which the compounds affect cellular inflammatory responses; (3) evaluate the compounds as potential treatments in rodent models of inflammatory diseases implicated from cell studies. This study is anticipated to lead to clinical studies for a new kind of drug treatment.
Determining Modes Of Binding And Activation Of Peptide G-protein Coupled Receptor Targets
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$576,538.00
Summary
The neuropeptide relaxin-3 and the peptide hormone INSL5 are recently discovered members of the relaxin peptide family. Relaxin-3 has important roles in stress and feeding whereas INSL5 is a gut hormone. We will study the interaction of relaxin-3 and INSL5 with their cell surface receptors and the mechanisms by which the receptors function. The knowledge gained will aid in the design of smaller, more potent and orally active forms of relaxin-3 and INSL5 for future clinical applications