Identifying Target Genes For Novel Anti-epileptic Therapies In The Mouse
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$469,802.00
Summary
Epilepsy is a disease which affects 2-4% of the population. There are a wide range of drugs available to treat the condition but there is consistently 30-40% of patients who do not respond well to any of these drugs and who continue to have seizures. The reason that there are no drugs available for these people is that most of the drugs available have been designed along the same principles. A new set of principles is needed to develop new drugs which will be able to treat those people not respo ....Epilepsy is a disease which affects 2-4% of the population. There are a wide range of drugs available to treat the condition but there is consistently 30-40% of patients who do not respond well to any of these drugs and who continue to have seizures. The reason that there are no drugs available for these people is that most of the drugs available have been designed along the same principles. A new set of principles is needed to develop new drugs which will be able to treat those people not responding to current therapy. This project is designed to identify new biologic pathways which may be interrupted with drugs to prevent seizures in people with epilepsy. This project uses a procedure to induce mutations into genes in mice and then screens for mice which do not seize when challenged with a drug which generates seizures in mice. Genetic studies will identify the mutated genes and these will be used as potential targets for new therapies or will identify new biological pathway which should expand the use of future anti-epileptic drugs.Read moreRead less
Understanding And Overcoming Cardiovascular And Diabetes Inequalities In Indigenous Australians
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$707,370.00
Summary
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders experience the highest rates of heart disease and diabetes of all Australians. The reasons for this large disparity is not yet fully understood. I propose to investigate the patterns, causes, complications and links between heart disease and diabetes in Indigenous populations to identify better ways of managing and preventing chronic disease in high risk communities.
Targeting RCAN1 To Treat Type 2 Diabetes And Obesity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$814,468.00
Summary
Obesity and impaired insulin secretion are significant contributors to Type 2 diabetes. In this project we demonstrate that a protein called RCAN1 contributes to both fat mass and insulin secretion and that this contribution is exacerbated in obesity and in Type 2 diabetes. We will identify how RCAN1 controls these major metabolic pathways with outcomes including the development of new therapeutics for obesity and Type 2 diabetes.
Using Online Social Technologies To Improve Health Behaviour
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,048.00
Summary
Physical inactivity and poor eating habits are leading causes of death and disease in Australia. Our health behaviours are influenced by our social networks. What’s more, Australians love social technologies, such as Facebook and smartphones. My research aims to harness these two factors to create socially-influential health programs. I will work with video game developers to develop fun and engaging interventions, and a viral marketer and leading organisations to spread the interventions.
Pathophysiology And Alternative Preventative Strategy For Breast Cancer Chemotherapy-induced Bone Loss
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$540,356.00
Summary
Combination cytotoxic chemotherapy is the current optimal approach for treating breast cancer in premenopausal women. However, long-term skeletal defects (osteoporosis and fractures) caused by the chemotherapy have become an increasingly serious problem due to its intensified use and improved patient survival rate. This project seeks to elucidate the mechanisms for chemotherapy-induced bone defects and to initiate development of a preventative treatment using natural bioactive micronutrients.
Novel Interventions To Address Methamphetamines In Aboriginal Communities, Including A Randomised Trial Of A Web Based Therapeutic Tool Used To Treat Dependence In Clinical Settings.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,177,908.00
Summary
Methamphetamine use in Aboriginal communities has gained much media attention, despite limited research studies to ascertain the full extent of its use and its impact. We propose a randomised trial of a web based therapeutic tool for use in Aboriginal Medical Services to treat clients using methamphetamines. In addition we will characterise the health and well-being of Aboriginal people who use methamphetamines and trial unique Aboriginal community led interventions to address methamphetamines.
Improving Maternal And Infant Outcomes: A Multicentre Randomised Controlled Trial Of Midwifery And Dental Intervention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$457,724.00
Summary
Poor oral health during pregnancy can impact the health of the mother and baby. Yet, many expectant mothers are unaware of the implications of poor oral health. In Australia there is a lack of importance being placed on maternal oral health. The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of a new service which will promote maternal oral health through collaboration between midwives and dentists. We expect the new service will improve women's oral health, uptake of dental services and po ....Poor oral health during pregnancy can impact the health of the mother and baby. Yet, many expectant mothers are unaware of the implications of poor oral health. In Australia there is a lack of importance being placed on maternal oral health. The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of a new service which will promote maternal oral health through collaboration between midwives and dentists. We expect the new service will improve women's oral health, uptake of dental services and potentially improve pregnancy outcomes.Read moreRead less
Good nutrition is a vital element in a healthy start to life. Determining the correct foods to ensure that pregnant women meet both their needs as well as those of their new baby can be very confusing. Do I need to take iron supplements? How can I ensure I get enough iodine? This project will develop new methods for evaluating the effects of nutrients and to pass that information on to health practitioners so that Australian mothers will be in no doubt about the best diet for them and their chil ....Good nutrition is a vital element in a healthy start to life. Determining the correct foods to ensure that pregnant women meet both their needs as well as those of their new baby can be very confusing. Do I need to take iron supplements? How can I ensure I get enough iodine? This project will develop new methods for evaluating the effects of nutrients and to pass that information on to health practitioners so that Australian mothers will be in no doubt about the best diet for them and their children.Read moreRead less
Topical peptide delivery for cosmetic and therapeutic benefits. Milk is a major Australian agricultural commodity and is now used in a number of topical products for the management of various skin conditions including chafing in babies, eczema and ageing skin. Hence, this work hopes to contribute to promoting and maintaining good health of Australians.
In addition, there is considerable research being conducted on peptide development for a range of diseases and there may be a possibility of ....Topical peptide delivery for cosmetic and therapeutic benefits. Milk is a major Australian agricultural commodity and is now used in a number of topical products for the management of various skin conditions including chafing in babies, eczema and ageing skin. Hence, this work hopes to contribute to promoting and maintaining good health of Australians.
In addition, there is considerable research being conducted on peptide development for a range of diseases and there may be a possibility of delivering these by the skin.
This work, in seeking to understand some of the fundamental determinants governing how exogenously applied peptides distribute in the skin, is also contributing to the development of Australian pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.Read moreRead less
A Pragmatic Randomised Clinical Trial Of Nicotine Vaporisers Added To Smoking Cessation Treatment For Priority Populations Living With Comorbidities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,499,145.00
Summary
Smoking is a leading cause of early death for people with certain health conditions because they are more likely to smoke and are also at greater risk of tobacco-related disease. This clinical trial will test whether encouraging people living with Hepatitis C Virus, people on opiate substitution therapy and people living with HIV who smoke to use nicotine vaporisers long-term, in addition to current smoking cessation treatments, will help them to stay abstinent from smoking.