RELapses PrevENTion In Chronic Autoimmune Disease: Common Mechanisms And Co-morbidities (RELENT)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$499,837.00
Summary
Treatment of people with chronic autoimmune and inflammatory diseases is not optimal, as we do not know how intensively to treat people, and current treatments often have significant side effects. The RELENT program aims, using multiple approaches, to gain a deeper and more useful knowledge of why these diseases are occuring, what might indicate that disease requires more treatment, and which treatments will be most targeted and have the fewest side effects.
A vaccine to prevent AIDS is urgently needed. The European Union recently awarded over 20 million euros to a European consortium, called EAVI2020, to advance multiple HIV vaccines into human testing. Five Australian HIV vaccine experts are named investigators on this award to provide advanced laboratory analyses and intellectual input into the 5 year program if this NHMRC-EU Collaborative Research Grant is successful.
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.
Implications Of Retinal Neurodegeneration In Alzheimer's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$602,213.00
Summary
Recent research has shown that “early signs” of Alzheimer ’s disease (AD) can be detected in the eyes. My research focus is to determine which particular changes in the retina are associated with AD. I will also investigate if blocking the production of beta amyloids (proteins produced in AD) in the eye will indeed help reduce their load in the brain and hence delay the onset of AD. Results from this research maybe used for early diagnosis and future medicinal studies that target the eye in AD.
Kidney Mesenchymal Stem Cells In Tubular Development, Repair And Turnover
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$989,141.00
Summary
In Australia, 11.3% of deaths are associated with chronic kidney disease with >$1 billion per annum spent on treating this condition. At present, only dialysis and transplantation are available to treat end stage kidney disease. We have found a kidney stem cell population in both human and mouse that can form new epithelial structures. In this project, we will investigate the normal role played by these kidney stem cells and examine whether they can contribute to kidney regeneration.
Stand Up To Dementia: Reducing Prolonged Sitting To Improve Cognitive Function In Older Adults
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$603,901.00
Summary
Australia has an ageing population, resulting in more people being diagnosed with dementia. Prolonged sitting - (a behaviour that is very common amongst older adults) may increase the risk of cognitive decline and thus developing dementia. This study aims to further explore the relationship of sitting with dementia and cognitive function by using objective measures of sitting and also to develop programs and resources to reduce prolonged sitting which are informed by consumers.
Improving Human FMRI Through Modeling And Imaging Microvascular Dynamics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$486,144.00
Summary
In this project we aim to establish a reliable vascular baseline to improve mapping of both small-scale functional architecture and large-scale brain networks in functional human brain mapping using MRI. By mapping the grey matter vasculature with high detail in both humans and animals, and by computing and matching of these atlases across species we will be able to validate this approach in vivo to confirm the better spatial specificity of the newly developed approach.
Dementias affect a large number of Australians each year with the number of patients expected to triple by 2050. As such, there is need to develop a better model of this debilitating disorder to provide improved treatments. Mesenchymal stem cells, are relatively easy to obtain and grow, and are able to produce the key cell types in the brain. We can use these cells to identify the processes that control the production of brain cells, which will likely provide better treatment of this disease.
How Do Mutations In Autophagy Receptors Cause FTD And ALS?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$566,966.00
Summary
As cells age the "garbage disposal" process within cells slows down, becoming less functional. In inherited forms of dementia the genes involved often code for damaged proteins that "clog up" the disposal system or directly affect the “garbage men”. These defective garbage men genes include SQSTM1/p62, OPTN, VCP and UBQLN2. We will determine how these defective genes lead to build up of garbage in neuronal cells and how leads to disease.
Self-assembled Hydrogels As A Model For Neurodegeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$594,644.00
Summary
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease which currently affects over 340,000 Australians. Often, symptoms of AD are not apparent until the disease is well advanced, limiting chances of successful treatment. In this project, hydrogels made from biocompatible peptides will be used to grow neural cell culture models to study the development of the disease in its early stages. This will help to develop new diagnostic tools for the early detection of AD.