Novel Muscle Therapeutics Through Selective Beta-Adrenoceptor Signalling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$603,608.00
Summary
Muscle wasting is an urgent and unmet health risk commonly associated with ageing; cancer, muscle diseases, and conditions including cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Manipulating beta-adrenergic signalling is a therapeutic target for muscle wasting but treatments have so far been limited due to cardiaovascular side effects. Using cutting edge technologies, we will identify treatments that effectively separate beneficial effects on skeletal muscles from unwanted effects on the heart.
Pre-clinical Assessment Of The Therapeutic Potential Of Targeting The Hippo Pathway In Muscle Wasting & Muscle-derived Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$621,979.00
Summary
Recent findings have identified the Hippo signalling pathway as an important regulator of processes in muscle fibres and muscle progenitor cells. This project will look at the significance of the Hippo pathway in the development of muscle wasting caused by statin administration, and in the genesis of muscle derived tumors (rhabdomyosarcoma). The studies will determine if interventions that regulate the Hippo pathway could provide new therapies for these important muscle-related diseases.
Investigating Follistatin-based Interventions For Long Term-protection Against Frailty Associated With Chronic Illness And Aging
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$987,169.00
Summary
Effective therapies are urgently needed to combat frailty arising from muscle wasting associated with chronic illness and aging. The proposed studies will investigate the prospects of developing novel short-term interventions that can confer long-term benefits for preventing and treating muscle wasting associated with chronic illness and advanced aging.
Working Towards A New Therapy For The Prevention Of Restricted Fetal Growth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$711,356.00
Summary
If a baby does not grow properly during pregnancy there can be serious health problems when it is born. We also know that small babies have life long risks of poorer health. We have no effective therapies for improving a baby's growth. This application aims to discover a treatment that can help babies grow. This would be an important advance in improving the health of our future Australians.
Establishing STARS As A Therapeutic Target To Reduce Muscle Wasting And Improve Muscle Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$446,189.00
Summary
Muscle wasting occurs rapidly with disuse after injuries occurring at work, during sport, with chronic disease and in road accidents. It is also a consequence of ageing. Muscle wasting and reduced muscle function places considerable financial strain on our health care system. We aim to use gene therapy and pharmacological interventions to increase the levels of a protein called STARS. We hypothesize that STARS will reduce disuse-induced muscle wasting, increase recovery and improve function.
Phosphoinositide 3-kinase Signalling And Skeletal Muscle Mass.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$597,598.00
Summary
Maintenance of skeletal muscle mass is essential for human health and locomotion. In ageing and cancer, loss of muscle mass leads to severe weakness and immobilization causing morbidity and mortality. This grant aims to characterise a novel gene that when deleted in mice leads to significant muscle damage. The molecular pathways within the cell that lead to the observed muscle damage will be investigated and this may provide insights into the pathways that control muscle damage and its regenerat ....Maintenance of skeletal muscle mass is essential for human health and locomotion. In ageing and cancer, loss of muscle mass leads to severe weakness and immobilization causing morbidity and mortality. This grant aims to characterise a novel gene that when deleted in mice leads to significant muscle damage. The molecular pathways within the cell that lead to the observed muscle damage will be investigated and this may provide insights into the pathways that control muscle damage and its regenerationRead moreRead less
Regulation Of T Cell Effector Function In Peripheral Tissues
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$698,550.00
Summary
Protection from infections relies on different types of immune cells. While some of these cells are found in the blood, others reside in peripheral tissues such as the skin. We will analyse the function of these peripheral immune cells to understand how they work to fight off infections. We will also investigate how so-called memory cells that permanently reside in peripheral tissues can protect from re-infection with similar bacteria or viruses.
Identifying The Ontogeny And Fate Of T Follicular Helper Cells By Two-photon Photoconversion
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$623,070.00
Summary
The aim of this proposal is to investigate immune cells called T follicular helper cells using a novel microscopy-based method that we have developed. This method lets us ‘tag’ these cells in a way that enables us to distinguish them from all other cells and follow them as they migrate to different immunological compartments during the response. T follicular helper cells are important for protective immune responses against pathogens and a better understanding of this T cell subset will aid vacc ....The aim of this proposal is to investigate immune cells called T follicular helper cells using a novel microscopy-based method that we have developed. This method lets us ‘tag’ these cells in a way that enables us to distinguish them from all other cells and follow them as they migrate to different immunological compartments during the response. T follicular helper cells are important for protective immune responses against pathogens and a better understanding of this T cell subset will aid vaccine design.Read moreRead less
The Impact Of Micropolymorphism Within The T Cell Receptor Genes And Their Target Antigenic Peptides
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$365,126.00
Summary
T lymphocytes play a pivotal role in the immune system by recognising virus-infected tissue through the use of highly specific T cell receptors (TCRs). This project will investigate the importance of genetic variation in the TCR genes in influencing how we fight infections. Another aim is to examine how the immune system tolerates genetic variation in an infecting virus. Advances in these areas will aid in the development of new "intelligent" vaccines.
Immunotherapy has recently shown promise in bone cancer. We have found that while immune modulators Il-6 and Ifn?? contribute to tumour suppression Il-23 promotes the growth of radiation-induced bone cancer. We have generated mouse models of bone cancer to investigate tumour growth and immune surveillance in immune competent mice with an overall aim of identifying therapeutic targets in this disease.