Molecular Imaging Of Cancers With Copper And Zirconium Radiopharmaceuticals
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$466,475.00
Summary
This research aims to develop new imaging agents to assist in the diagnosis of breast cancer. This research will advance knowledge in the areas of chemistry, biotechnology and diagnostic imaging.
The Essential Nuclear Transporter Importin 13; Key Role In Brain And Testis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$613,124.00
Summary
Transport into and out of the nucleus, the control centre of cells, is critical for cell function in complex organisms such as mammals. The present proposal seeks to further understanding of a novel molecule mediating nuclear transport that has a novel inhibitory form in the testis, and important roles in the lung and nervous system. The results should help basic understanding of this molecule, and relate to disease conditions such as X-linked mental retardation and childhood asthma.
Elucidating The Mechanisms Of Action Of And Resistance To Endoperoxide Antimalarials
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$716,755.00
Summary
Artemisinin-based antimalarials (ARTs) save hundreds of thousands of lives every year. Unfortunately resistance of P. falciparum to ART is now emerging in South East Asia and it is critical to know how and why. We will determine what is different about resistant parasites and will develop assays to monitor drug resistance in the field. We have found that the immature form of the malaria parasite is more resistant to ARTs, which helps explain resistance. We will build on this to develop new targe ....Artemisinin-based antimalarials (ARTs) save hundreds of thousands of lives every year. Unfortunately resistance of P. falciparum to ART is now emerging in South East Asia and it is critical to know how and why. We will determine what is different about resistant parasites and will develop assays to monitor drug resistance in the field. We have found that the immature form of the malaria parasite is more resistant to ARTs, which helps explain resistance. We will build on this to develop new targetted treatments.Read moreRead less
Characterising The Beta-catenin Nuclear Targeting Pathway In Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$485,081.00
Summary
Bowel cancer is caused by inherited gene mutations that cause build-up of beta-catenin protein in the cell nucleus. Bowel cancer is the second largest cause of cancer deaths in Australia. We aim to study the mechanisms controlling beta-catenin accumulation in the nucleus. We will characterise new signalling pathways that control movement and activity of beta-catenin in the nucleus. This will yield insights into the role of beta-catenin in cancer and possible targets for therapy.
The Development Of Innovative Multiplexed Molecular Imaging Technology Targeting Improved Diagnostic Imaging Of Glioblastoma Multiforme
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$403,599.00
Summary
Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is extremely invasive and the most lethal of all primary brain tumours. To optimise treatment planning, we propose to develop novel Multiplexed Molecular Imaging (MMI) technology employing the latest PET-MRI hybrid imaging technology. Our strategy targets the development of new F19 MRI MI agents for measuring tumour infiltration that can be multiplexed with F18 PET hypoxia tracers. Our MI agents can also act as conjugative vehicles for drug delivery.
The Australian, Imaging, Biomarkers And Lifestyle Study Of Ageing (AIBL) Phase III - Facilitating Early Intervention In Preclinical Alzheimer's Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$733,653.00
Summary
Amyloid brain scans can detect the onset of Alzheimer's disease 10-15 years before symptoms first appear. Amyloid build-up is thought to be the cause of Alzheimer's disease. The earlier that drugs designed to slow the build up of amyloid or to clear it from the brain are given, the greater the chance of benefit. This study will use the recent discoveries from the Australian AIBL study to develop the best method to find these people with brain amyloid but no symptoms for early treatment trials to ....Amyloid brain scans can detect the onset of Alzheimer's disease 10-15 years before symptoms first appear. Amyloid build-up is thought to be the cause of Alzheimer's disease. The earlier that drugs designed to slow the build up of amyloid or to clear it from the brain are given, the greater the chance of benefit. This study will use the recent discoveries from the Australian AIBL study to develop the best method to find these people with brain amyloid but no symptoms for early treatment trials to prevent dementia.Read moreRead less
Investigating Neuroinflammation And Its Relationship With Progressive Brain Structural Loss In Schizophrenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$466,252.00
Summary
This project will investigate whether brain inflammation contributes to progressive brain volume loss in people with schizophrenia. Using novel brain scanning we will index whether brain cells involved in inflammation, called microglia, are in an activated state in people with schizophrenia. We expect microglia will be ‘activated’ in a subgroup of patients with schizophrenia, and will be related to progressive brain volume loss in these patients. This information will help us develop new treatme ....This project will investigate whether brain inflammation contributes to progressive brain volume loss in people with schizophrenia. Using novel brain scanning we will index whether brain cells involved in inflammation, called microglia, are in an activated state in people with schizophrenia. We expect microglia will be ‘activated’ in a subgroup of patients with schizophrenia, and will be related to progressive brain volume loss in these patients. This information will help us develop new treatments to prevent brain volume loss in the illness.Read moreRead less
Novel Radioligands For PET Imaging And Phenotyping Of Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$817,828.00
Summary
This project aims to catalyse a paradigm shift in the management of multiple sclerosis (MS). We will achieve this paradigm shift by developing radioligands that can be used to image the brain of MS patients. These agents will target a protein in MS patients that will be diagnostic of the state of disease progression. This will facilitate prediction of disease outcome, monitoring of therapeutic response and the development of novel treatment strategies for the better treatment of MS.
Use of antibodies for cancer therapy, where a protein is made in the laboratory to recognize and act on cancer cells that have a target antigen, has emerged as an important therapeutic area in oncology. The lewis-y (Ley) antigen is found on more than 70% of epithelial cancers and the A33 antigen is found on colon cancers. We have developed antibodies against Ley (hu3S193) and A33 (huA33) which can target cancer cells. We aim to develop optimal cancer cell killing by our antibodies.
A Combined PET-fMRI Study Of Frontostriatal Dysfunction In First Episode Psychosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$872,873.00
Summary
Psychosis is a debilitating psychiatric syndrome affecting a person’s ability to understand reality. This project will map how disruptions of specific brain circuits give rise to psychosis, and how they relate to changes in the level of a specific brain chemical, dopamine, which is targeted by antipsychotic medications. This work has important implications for developing new, more targeted treatments.