A Prospective Study Of The Influence Of Health-related Lifestyle Factors On DNA Methylation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$640,074.00
Summary
It is known that DNA methylation can lead to disease. We aim to discover what causes DNA methylation to change. This could open the way for new methods of prevention and treatment of many diseases. We will study 1200 people to assess how the methylation of their DNA is influenced by changes in their smoking habits, alcohol consumption, vitamin intake, body size, blood sugar and cholesterol levels. We want to know whether these changes lead to undesirable (or desirable) changes in DNA methylation
We will investigate whether there are particular patterns of DNA methylation in people who develop gastric cancer. This could provide a means of identifying people at high risk of developing the disease, which may assist with early detection. This would be expected to markedly improve survival. If we can identify lifestyle factors associated with gastric cancer methylation there may be opportunities for prevention of the disease.
Markers Of Androgen Action, Genetic Variation And Prostate Cancer Risk
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$798,907.00
Summary
This proposal aim to follow up evidence from a number of studies that genetic and non-genetic markers of hormonal action in different periods of a man's life are associated with prostate cancer risk using a collection of three large, independent epidemiologic studies on prostate cancer named the Prostate Cancer Program. A principal objective is to collect exposure data on acne and digit ratio, and genotype cases and controls across the studies of the Prostate Cancer Program for common genetic va ....This proposal aim to follow up evidence from a number of studies that genetic and non-genetic markers of hormonal action in different periods of a man's life are associated with prostate cancer risk using a collection of three large, independent epidemiologic studies on prostate cancer named the Prostate Cancer Program. A principal objective is to collect exposure data on acne and digit ratio, and genotype cases and controls across the studies of the Prostate Cancer Program for common genetic variants in 4 candidate genes in the hormonal pathway. The established risk factors for prostate cancer are only age, race and family history. We anticipate that this project will cast light on the role of hormones in prostate cancer and that we will identify new markers of risk of prostate cancer and markers of disease aggressiveness. These outcomes will help us identifying men who are at risk for prostate cancer to target screening and surveillance, and plan prevention strategies. Furthermore, they will also form the basis for research on treatment targets.Read moreRead less
Genetic Epidemiology Of Chronic Respiratory Diseases From Childhood To Adulthood: A Prospective Study Of Sibships
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$889,220.00
Summary
Chronic Respiratory Diseases (CRDs) are a major public health problem. It is known that CRDs change over time but we have no information on causes of these changes. Some childhood asthmatics continue to have asthma as adults and-or develop Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) while others are free of any adult CRD. Some of those who do not have childhood asthma develop asthma and-or COPD as adults while the others remain free of CRDs from childhood to adulthood. To investigate risk facto ....Chronic Respiratory Diseases (CRDs) are a major public health problem. It is known that CRDs change over time but we have no information on causes of these changes. Some childhood asthmatics continue to have asthma as adults and-or develop Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) while others are free of any adult CRD. Some of those who do not have childhood asthma develop asthma and-or COPD as adults while the others remain free of CRDs from childhood to adulthood. To investigate risk factors for these changes, following up siblings over time is a powerful tool. As siblings share the childhood environment but not the adult environment, it helps to disentangle childhood environment, adult environment and genetic factors. The Tasmanian Asthma Study (TAS) is amongst worlds' major longitudinal respiratory studies and it is unique because it was conceived as a family study, with all the family members and the family environment being surveyed. TAS commenced in 1968 by investigating 8,585 school children born in 1961 (referred to as probands), their parents (16,267) and siblings (21,044). By the end of 2006, we will have completed the 37-year follow-up of the TAS probands, which focuses on non-genetic risk factors for middle-age CRDs. This follow-up together with baseline data now provides a unique opportunity for conducting a sibling study, which can concurrently examine genes, childhood environment and adult environment for change in CRDs. Also, it will provide a platform for future studies to investigate the progression of CRDs in this family cohort. Therefore, we now seek funding to extend the current follow-up to include the siblings. This will be the world's only population-based respiratory sibling study that spans childhood to adulthood. This will provide information for preventing chronic respiratory morbidity and disability in the future, which will be original and significant not only in Australia but also internationally.Read moreRead less