The Role Of Accessory Subunits And Assembly Factors In The Biogenesis Of Respiratory Chain Complex I
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$569,987.00
Summary
The mitochondrial respiratory chain produces most of the energy required for our cells to grow and function. Complex I is the first enzyme of this chain and its defects are the most prevalent cause of mitochondrial disease, which often results in infant fatality. Defects in complex I have also been associated with Parkinson's disease and oxidative stress. This study will provide important new information into how complex I is built and what goes wrong to cause disease.
Characterising Complex I Function And Dysfunction In Mitochondrial Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$316,449.00
Summary
The cells in our body produce energy in power plants called “mitochondria”. Mitochondrial disease affects 1 in 5000 live births. Currently there is no cure, but understanding how the genes mutated in mitochondrial disease work is an important step to finding one. Previous research relied on patient samples; however we will employ new technologies allowing us to rapidly model mitochondrial disease in a laboratory setting.
Alterations In Secretion And Gene Expression In Pancreatic Beta Cells Exposed To Lipid.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,250.00
Summary
The project is aimed at a better understanding of the way in which fats control gene expression in the pancreatic beta cells of the islets of Langerhans. Because changes in gene expression are to likely to explain why exposure of these cells to fat disrupts their ability to release insulin, identification of these genes could explain why only some obese people develop Type 2 diabetes.