Personalizing Antipsychotic Medicines To Improve Patient Outcomes In Schizophrenia: Development Of Decision Support Tools Using Pharmacometabolomics And Pharmacometrics
A Whole Genome Association Study For Determinants Of Clinical Outcome And Treatment Response In Chronic Hepatitis C
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,133.00
Summary
Chronic hepatitis C infection (CHC) causes liver failure, liver cancer and death. The treatment response rate is poor. Understanding of the factors that increase an individual’s risk of developing serious liver disease, or that lead to treatment failure, is limited. This project, the first of its kind, will involve screening 1600 CHC patients for genes that are associated with disease outcome and treatment response, to identify novel targets for drug and vaccine development
Novel Strategies For The Treatment Of Alcohol Dependance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$290,629.00
Summary
The proposed project is designed to extend my current project and improve the treatment of alcohol dependence by addressing three barriers to successful treatment. Firstly, a novel, integrated, stepped-care treatment for alcohol dependence and comorbid anxiety or depression will be examined in a randomised controlled trial. Secondly, the relationship between sleep disturbances, relapse and treatment retention and outcomes will be characterised. Thirdly, genetic predictors to the treatment of the ....The proposed project is designed to extend my current project and improve the treatment of alcohol dependence by addressing three barriers to successful treatment. Firstly, a novel, integrated, stepped-care treatment for alcohol dependence and comorbid anxiety or depression will be examined in a randomised controlled trial. Secondly, the relationship between sleep disturbances, relapse and treatment retention and outcomes will be characterised. Thirdly, genetic predictors to the treatment of the anti-craving medications, acamprosate and naltrexone will be investigated. The first two aims will utilise subjects recruited across three sites in Sydney while the third aim will involve analyses of blood samples and clinical data from my current projectRead moreRead less
Whole Genome Pharmacogenomics Study Of Susceptibility Of Birth Defects In Children Born To Mothers Taking Anti-Epileptic Drugs
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$663,160.00
Summary
This project will investigate for genes that determine why certain women have an increased risk of having a baby with a birth defect if they become pregnant while being treated with a medication for epilepsy. Subjects will be recruited from the Australian Pregnancy Register, the findings validated using subjects from the UK Epilepsy and Pregnancy Register. The study will comprehensively examine for both common and rare changes in genes across the entire human genome.
Pharmacogenomics And Mechanistic Basis Of Drug Hypersensitivity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$677,220.00
Summary
Drug allergy causes physical harm, anxiety and may limit treatment options. We introduced personalised genetic testing to prevent one such drug hypersensitivity. Genetic information from patients who have had adverse drug reactions will be used to work out how drugs trigger severe allergic reactions and develop strategies to predict these reactions and design safer drugs. This research has relevance to our understanding of other inflammatory disease such as autoimmune disease and multiple sclero ....Drug allergy causes physical harm, anxiety and may limit treatment options. We introduced personalised genetic testing to prevent one such drug hypersensitivity. Genetic information from patients who have had adverse drug reactions will be used to work out how drugs trigger severe allergic reactions and develop strategies to predict these reactions and design safer drugs. This research has relevance to our understanding of other inflammatory disease such as autoimmune disease and multiple sclerosis.Read moreRead less
Precision Medicine For Epilepsy And Beyond: From Discovery To Implementation And Evaluation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$487,891.00
Summary
The theme of this Fellowship is to improve treatment outcomes using a genomic-based Precision Medicine approach. This goal will be achieved by 3 closely linked projects that harness the power of gene sequencing and advances in biosensor technology, coupled with careful clinical and health economic evaluation. While the emphasis is on epilepsy, the research will extend to other major disease areas of global health significance. The potential socioeconomic impact of these innovations is enormous.
Genomics Of Antiepileptic Drug-induced Stevens Johnson Syndrome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,817.00
Summary
Epilepsy affects 3% of people. Severe skin reactions to anti-epileptic drugs are unpredictable and potentially fatal. This project aims to better understand the complex genetic architecture of these reactions using the latest sequencing platforms applied to a unique collection of samples, followed by functional analysis. The findings will enhance the practice of precision medicine in epilepsy treatment, shed light on the mechanisms of these reactions, and inform better drug design in the future.
Kava For The Treatment Of Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A 16-Week Double-Blind RCT
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$680,489.00
Summary
Herbal medicines play a prominent role in traditional medicine to treat affective disorders (mood and anxiety disorders), however scientific studies are needed to truly assess their effectiveness. This clinical trial is examining the anxiolytic efficacy of Kava in treating chronic anxiety. As current response to antidepressant drugs can be inadequate, Kava may offer an additional affordable, safe, and effective option to reduce anxiety.
Novel Cellular Trafficking Mechanisms For The Drug Influx Transporter, Human Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptide 1A2 (OATP1A2)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$337,614.00
Summary
Human organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATPs) are membrane proteins that regulate the cellular uptake of endogenous and exogenous substances including anti-cancer drugs. OATPs strongly determine whether such drugs enter the tissues where they are required to exert their effects. This project will study novel mechanisms that we have recently identified that determine the orientation of transporters in the cells. These processes can be impaired by a common pharmacogenetic variant in indivi ....Human organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATPs) are membrane proteins that regulate the cellular uptake of endogenous and exogenous substances including anti-cancer drugs. OATPs strongly determine whether such drugs enter the tissues where they are required to exert their effects. This project will study novel mechanisms that we have recently identified that determine the orientation of transporters in the cells. These processes can be impaired by a common pharmacogenetic variant in individuals.Read moreRead less