How Replication Stress Activates The Mitotic Telomere DNA Damage Response To Kill Cancer Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$486,467.00
Summary
We discovered a novel mechanism linking stress during DNA replication to difficulties with the cell division process, and identified how this turns on DNA damage response signals from the chromosome ends (i.e. “telomeres”). We have further identified that we can exploit this mechanism to kill cancer cells. In this project we will explore this newly discovered mechanism and identify how it can be targeted for therapeutic purposes.
The Mechanism Of HSV-1 Transport In Sensory Axons And Its Unique Assembly At The Axon Terminus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$670,284.00
Summary
Herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2 cause common diseases such as genital herpes and, occasionally, neonatal deaths and encephalitis and predisposes to HIV infection. New antiviral strategies are required for resistant viruses for control. These aims will be facilitated by understanding how HSV is transported down nerves and across into skin. In this study, we will define how a key viral protein plays a major role in assembly of the virus at the tip of the nerve before it enters skin.
A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Effectiveness Of 4RIF And 9INH For Treatment Of Latent TB Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$496,875.00
Summary
Treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is one intervention that is known to prevent the occurrence of active TB. Current treatment is based on a six to nine month course of isoniazid. The treatment has side effects in some people and many people do not complete the treatment. The present study is to test an alternative treatment regimen (4 months of rifampicin) which has fewer side-effects and is more likely to be completed.
Anti-sporulation Strategies For Clostridium Difficile Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$651,559.00
Summary
Hospital-acquired infections with the bacterium Clostridium difficile are a major global public health concern with highly virulent isolates emerging overseas in 2002 and in Australia in 2010. These strains have spread through our hospitals and are also found in the community. This project will increase our understanding of how these strains spread and will provide knowledge that is critical for developing improved strategies for preventing these infections.
A New Direction For TB Control In Highly Endemic Countries: A RCT Of Active Case Finding
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,362,910.00
Summary
Tuberculosis is the number 1 health problem in Vietnam . Many people with TB do not know they have the disease but are infectious to others. Hence, the disease continues to spread. This project will investigate the role of x-ray screening to detect and treat more people with TB, particularly those who do not have symptoms. This may be an important element of future TB control programs in Vietnam and elsewhere in our region.
Real Time Models To Inform Prevention And Control Of Emerging Infectious Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$549,728.00
Summary
This proposed research addresses the need for real-time tracking of emerging infectious diseases (EID), both spatially and temporally, to inform international and national outbreak response teams, aid in the implementation of real-time containment strategies and ultimately the timely control of emerging infectious diseases. Outcomes will directly enhance & inform policy-making and EID preparedness at a national and international level.
Evaluating Cancer Screening: Context, Evidence, Values And Ethics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$572,460.00
Summary
The research and clinical communities are divided over whether certain forms of cancer screening do more harm than good. This project asks: What is the right thing to do about cancer screening now? Using robust qualitative methodologies, we will study real cases of cancer screening and analyse their ethical implications. Drawing on this data and analysis, we will produce tools to help policy-makers, consumers and professionals make good decisions about cancer screening in future.
The Effects Of Tonic Muscle Pain On The Sympathetic And Somatic Motor Systems In Human Subjects
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$462,948.00
Summary
The main objective of this proposal is to reveal the effects of nociceptive reflexes in humans, and thus identify their functional and clinical implications. By performing invasive recordings from the nerves that control blood vessels and muscles in healthy volunteers subjected to long-lasting (~1 hour) experimental pain, this work will increase our understanding of the adaptive changes that pain induces and improve treatments to prevent pain from becoming chronic.
Ubiquitin And SUMO DNA Damage Response Signalling At Deprotected Telomeres During The Cell Cycle
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$302,627.00
Summary
Following genome damage cells stop the cell division process and initiate DNA repair. We discovered that at specific times during cell division his does not happen if the damage signals originate from the chromosome ends (i.e. “telomeres”). We anticipate this is necessary to prevent genomic instability in healthy cells and may be driving genomic instability in cancer cells. Experiments described here will elucidate the molecular mechanisms and biological significance of our observation.
Improving Sexual Health In Men With Prostate Cancer: Randomised Controlled Trial Of Exercise And Psychosexual Therapies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$583,416.00
Summary
Sexual dysfunction is one of the most common and distressing side effects of prostate cancer. Despite being a critical survivorship care issue, there is a clear gap in knowledge surrounding the optimal treatment of sexual dysfunction in men with prostate cancer. This project examines whether exercise aids in the management of sexual dysfunction and explores if an integrated treatment model incorporating pharmacological, exercise and psychosexual therapies maximises improvement in sexual health.