To understand how Hendra virus multiplies in infected cells, we will investigate the structure of its replicative machinery. This will provide the basis for rational drug design increasing Australia’s preparedness against the emergence of Hendra-like viruses.
Harnessing Lipid-reactive Immunity To Combat Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$341,458.00
Summary
Critcial to the survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB) is its unique waxy (lipid)-rich cell wall. This proposal aims to target components of its cell wall to devlop novel therapeutic strategies. Specifically, the Australian-Singapore alliance will examine how the immune system "sees" lipid based antigens from M. tuberculosis, and then will ultimately use this information towards the devlopment of novel lipid-based vaccines.
BRIDGET: BRain Imaging, Cognition, Dementia And Next Generation GEnomics: A Transdisciplinary Approach To Search For Risk And Protective Factors Of Neurodegenerative Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,081,489.00
Summary
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) begins many years before diagnosis and yet its aetiology is still poorly understood. The BRIDGET consortium aims to identify genetic variants that are associated with structural brain ageing, cognitive performance, and dementia risk in richly phenotyped international and Australian population-based samples. This work aims to provide crucial information on the molecular pathways leading to AD, potentially leading to improved health outcomes for our ageing population.
Prospective Imaging Study Of Ageing: Genes, Brain & Behaviour
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$6,465,047.00
Summary
While the burden of dementia in Australia occurs late in life, the underlying brain disease accumulates for decades prior to dementia onset. Disease modifying interventions have the greatest potential to avert later disease burden if introduced during this crucial window, well before the onset of clear cognitive decline. To reduce Australia's future dementia burden, it is thus imperative to identify those Australians at risk of dementia whilst they are still relatively young.
Comprehensive Risk Prediction Models And Presymptomatic Biomarkers For Dementia.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$720,144.00
Summary
Extensive information on a large population of over 15,000 older Australians will be used to determine more precisely which factors increase or reduce the risk of developing dementia, and thus will provide valuable information on how to reduce the number of Australians with dementia. In parallel, this research will identify new ways to accurately diagnose dementia at an earlier stage, even before symptoms appear.
Identifying Novel Lipid And Genetic Signatures Of Metabolic Disease In Early Childhood
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$354,592.00
Summary
Both our genetic makeup and environment can contribute to the development of obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Although onset usually occurs in adulthood, the progression towards disease can start in early life. Early childhood represents an opportunity for intervention to avoid adverse health outcomes in adulthood. This proposal combines two established birth cohorts from Singapore (GUSTO) and Australia (BIS) to examine the genetic and environmental origins of metabolic diseases.
Novel Assessment And Intervention For Dementia: An Inter-disciplinary Translational Approach
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$720,021.00
Summary
This program of research focuses on i) a highly novel internationally competitive program of work focusing on the neural network correlates of sleep in dementia, sleep as a risk factor and the efficacy of sleep-wake interventions in reducing cognitive decline; ii) Innovative technologies for widespread screening of preclinical dementia and early intervention and iii) clinical trials focused on the testing of a of novel, highly translatable dementia risk reduction interventions.
Genetic Biomarkers And Molecular Pathways For Migraine
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$273,988.00
Summary
Common migraine, is a frequent, debilitating and painful disorder that affects people during their most productive years (up to 25% of women and 8% of men). Our recent results indicate the presence of multiple genetic factors contributing towards migraine susceptibility. Utilising detailed migraine symptom and medication data, larger numbers of migraine cases and controls, and applying the latest genotyping and imputation technologies, we will identify novel genetic biomarkers and molecular path ....Common migraine, is a frequent, debilitating and painful disorder that affects people during their most productive years (up to 25% of women and 8% of men). Our recent results indicate the presence of multiple genetic factors contributing towards migraine susceptibility. Utilising detailed migraine symptom and medication data, larger numbers of migraine cases and controls, and applying the latest genotyping and imputation technologies, we will identify novel genetic biomarkers and molecular pathways for migraine.Read moreRead less
Optimising Exercise Prescription For Brain Health In Older Adults At Risk Of Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$594,123.00
Summary
To reduce dementia burdens in the community, cost effective and targeted early regenerative strategies are critical. Engaging in frequent aerobic exercise is one strategy that can delay the onset and slow the progression of dementia. However, prescription is limited by an incomplete understanding of how exercise positively influences brain health. Here I will investigate the influence of current exercise levels, intensity and exercise environment on brain health in adults at risk of dementia.
This project will investigate the causes of respiratory disease and poor lung function across the life course. Using existing lung health data from Australia and Europe, we will determine which behavioral, environmental, occupational, nutritional, other modifiable lifestyle, or genetic factors play a role in lung health. This research will enable the development of a personalised risk predictor application for implementation with patients and health care providers as well as the general public.