Development Of Reversible Inhibitors Of Factor XIa
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$444,318.00
Summary
Blood usually clots in response to injury, but unwanted clots can cause thrombosis, as well as leading to stroke and heart disease. Existing drugs to treat thrombosis suffer from drawbacks such as invasive monitoring, interaction with diet and other medicines, and bleeding complications. New drugs are clearly needed. Our expert group of researchers will discover new anti-thrombotic compounds based upon our previous identification of natural products with anticoagulant properties.
Targeted Nanoparticles To Deliver Combinations Of Calcium Channel Inhibitors To Prevent Myelin Damage During Secondary Degeneration After Neurotrauma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$895,244.00
Summary
Following injury to the central nervous system the damage spreads into nearby areas, leading to worse outcomes for the patient. We will generate nanoparticle systems to deliver effective therapies directly to the most vulnerable cells, critical for function. We will modify the nanoparticles so that they can get to the injury site, both early after injury, and after longer periods of time have elapsed. We will then test the nanoparticle systems to see if they are effective at preserving function
Downsizing A Human Protein To Modulate Inflammatory Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$516,793.00
Summary
We have discovered how to downsize a human protein to very small molecules with the same activities and potencies. Small changes enable the compounds to powerfully block the actions of the protein. These small molecules are very stable in blood, whereas the protein deactivates in minutes. This project will develop the small molecules into experimental drugs and test them in human cells and proteins, and in rats to evaluate their potential for treating human inflammatory diseases.
Novel TB Drug Candidates Via The Inhibition Of Lipid I Biosynthesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$780,743.00
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) is an enormous global health problem with a continuing impact in Australia. TB is now the leading killer of any infectious disease (1.8 million people per year) and the rapid emergence of drug resistant TB infections threatens to prevent efforts to control the disease. This project seeks to develop novel TB drug candidates that operate by preventing the construction of the cell wall by the bacterial agent that causes the disease.
Spleen Tyrosine Kinase (Syk) As A Therapeutic Target In Antibody-dependent Transplant Rejection.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$625,919.00
Summary
While kidney transplantation is a life saving treatment for those with end-stage kidney failure, a significant number of patients face long waits on dialysis because they have antibodies that would cause rejection of most potential donor kidneys. This project seeks to address this problem using a new strategy to treat antibody-mediated rejection and thereby enable such patients to receive a transplant without the fear of severe rejection.
Development Of Novel Anticoagulants Inspired By Nature For Improved Ischaemic Stroke Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$716,396.00
Summary
Ischaemic stroke, caused by clots that obstruct blood flow to the brain, is the third most common cause of mortality and the leading cause of disability globally. Unfortunately, the only approved therapeutic option is ineffective for a significant proportion of stroke sufferers. This project will develop novel anticoagulants, inspired by molecules produced by blood feeding organisms, for use in more effective and safe ischaemic stroke therapy.
Complement Inhibitors For Treatment Of Chronic Inflammatory Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$623,606.00
Summary
We aim to provide new therapeutic approaches to gum disease, which not only causes tooth loss, but also contributes to other diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. We will find new methods to inhibit a system in our own bodies that contributes to inflammation and gum disease and test the effects of these methods of inhibition in disease models. In this way, we hope to lessen the burden of gum disease on the Australian population.
Flaviviral Proteases As Viable Targets For Antiinfective Drugs
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$620,716.00
Summary
Viruses hijack the machinery and nutrients of cells they infect in order to reproduce. We will study viral enzymes (proteases) essential for virus replication, use fluorescent probes to learn where the viral enzymes hide and act in infected cells, track the passage of drugs aimed at these enzymes, design drugs to block their actions and stop virus replication, and test antiviral activity against Dengue, West Nile, Japanese Encephalitis and Yellow Fever viruses which infect millions of people.
Cellular Regulation Of Receptor Signalling And Cytokine Responses
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$859,288.00
Summary
Cell surface receptors and signalling pathways elicit the release of cytokines, or chemical messengers, to control inflammation, which is the body’s response to infection or danger. We have discovered a new signalling pathway that can turn off inflammation and help prevent inflammatory disease. Our studies will now define the molecular details of this pathway and show how new and existing drugs targeting this pathway can be optimally used to treat inflammation and cancer.
Novel Analgesic Approaches: Harnessing Functional Interactions Between Sodium Channels And Opioids
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$329,076.00
Summary
Chronic pain is a debilitating condition that affects the life of one five Australians and has significant socioeconomic impact. Currently available pain killers often do not work, or have intolerable side effects. We have discovered that combination treatment with opioids and a novel venom-derived compound discovered by us provides effective pain relief. The aim of this project is to understand the mechanisms underlying this synergistic effect to develop new treatment approaches for pain.