Immune Correlates Of Early Corticosteroid Therapy In Vietnamese Children And Young Adults With Dengue
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$467,073.00
Summary
Dengue is a globally important infectious disease. This study will seek to understand how corticosteroids, an immune modulating class of drug, effect the immune responses in children with dengue. The basis for this study is a randomised controlled trial at a large hospital in Viet Nam that treats many patients with dengue. We expect to obtain the laboratory evidence needed to support further clinical trials of this drug and in doing so we will improve our understanding of dengue.
Towards Adequate National Provision Of Genomic Testing In Pregnancy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$515,493.00
Summary
Genomic information about unborn children can now be provided using chromosomal microarrays which have the potential to revolutionize maternal care in Australia, but are currently only used in high risk pregnancies. Soon all pregnant women, the vast majority who currently have prenatal screening, will be able to access this and other genomic technologies. We will examine the psychological impact of fetal genomic testing and, in doing so, assess the need for service planning, as well as potential ....Genomic information about unborn children can now be provided using chromosomal microarrays which have the potential to revolutionize maternal care in Australia, but are currently only used in high risk pregnancies. Soon all pregnant women, the vast majority who currently have prenatal screening, will be able to access this and other genomic technologies. We will examine the psychological impact of fetal genomic testing and, in doing so, assess the need for service planning, as well as potential legal and policy changes in Australia.Read moreRead less
Deciphering The Metabolic And Endocrine Profile Of Healthy Adipocytes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$563,194.00
Summary
Obesity is associated with the development of metabolic diseases, however, it is becoming clear that it is where the excess fat is stored that is more important when predicting the health risks associated with obesity. This project aims to identify whether adipocyte progenitor cells, which eventually become fat cells, are ‘preprogrammed’ and whether differences in these cells explain the generation of either healthy or unhealthy fat in different locations of the body.
Var Gene Diversity And Naturally Acquired Immunity To Malaria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$410,664.00
Summary
In areas where malaria is common, people develop natural immunity to the disease albeit very slowly due to the many parasite strains that circulate. The project will use protein microarrays to investigate the patterns by which antibodies are acquired to the majority of strains. This will reveal how antibodies are acquired with age and which are associated with protection against malaria symptoms. The research aims to identify biomarkers of malaria immunity and may lead to new vaccine candidates.
Comparison Of Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells And Induced Pluripotent Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells For Periodontal Regeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$831,955.00
Summary
In the first part of this study we will determine whether induced pluripotent stem cells or adult stem cells from the periodontal ligament are better candidates for periodontal regeneration. Secondly, using CAD/CAM technology we will make tissue engineering scaffolds tailored to fit periodontal defects and seeded with stem cells to improve on current techniques used to regenerate damaged tissues around teeth affected by periodontal disease.
Investigating Human Keratinocyte Stem Cells And Their Microenvironmental Niche
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$570,928.00
Summary
The stem cells in the outer protective layers of the epithelium of the skin (keratinocyte stem cells), possess an intrinsically high capability to regenerate tissue. However, this tissue regenerative ability can be enhanced by interactions with microenvironmental elements i.e. connective tissue cells and proteins. This study seeks to investigate specific keratinocyte-microenvironment interactions which will ultimately be used to improve current methods for generating skin tissue for burns patien ....The stem cells in the outer protective layers of the epithelium of the skin (keratinocyte stem cells), possess an intrinsically high capability to regenerate tissue. However, this tissue regenerative ability can be enhanced by interactions with microenvironmental elements i.e. connective tissue cells and proteins. This study seeks to investigate specific keratinocyte-microenvironment interactions which will ultimately be used to improve current methods for generating skin tissue for burns patients.Read moreRead less
Osteochondroreticular Stem Cell Therapy For Osteoarthritis: The Right Cells For The Job.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$561,956.00
Summary
"Wear and tear" arthritis of the knee, hip and back joints is known as osteoarthritis. This causes significant health burden and costs in our community, particularly in older Australians. Osteoarthritis begins with the loss of joint cartilage. We believe that a new type of stem cells (OCR stem cells) offer the greatest promise to generate and thus therapeutically replace joint cartilage. Our studies test this hypothesis and develop preclinical translation of our discoveries in mice into humans.
Regulation Of The Placental Renin-angiotensin System By MicroRNAs; Implications For Pregnancies Complicated By Placental Insufficiency?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$483,058.00
Summary
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and preeclampsia (PrE) are life threatening to mother and baby, making the baby susceptible to disease as an adult. One of the major causes of PreE and IUGR is placentation. Placentation is affected by the placental renin-angiotensin system (RAS), which is controlled by microRNAs. We will describe these microRNAs, what controls them; determine their expression and RAS expression in normal pregnancy, IUGR and PrE, thus providing novel biomarkers for their ea ....Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and preeclampsia (PrE) are life threatening to mother and baby, making the baby susceptible to disease as an adult. One of the major causes of PreE and IUGR is placentation. Placentation is affected by the placental renin-angiotensin system (RAS), which is controlled by microRNAs. We will describe these microRNAs, what controls them; determine their expression and RAS expression in normal pregnancy, IUGR and PrE, thus providing novel biomarkers for their early detection.Read moreRead less
In the study of common disease, it is becoming apparent that it is not only an individual's DNA sequence that can encode susceptibility to disease, but also chemical modifications to that sequence. Despite the importance of these chemical modifications in the development of disease, there has been no comprehensive survey of the extent which they are transmitted across generations in humans. This proposal will investigate how one of those modifications, DNA methylation, is inherited.
Transcriptome Landscape Of Brown/beige Adipogenesis In Humans
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$393,369.00
Summary
There are three kinds of fat in the body: white, brown and beige. While excess white fat results in obesity, brown fat is associated with leanness and lowers blood glucose levels. Recent animal experiments show that under certain conditions, white fat can be transformed into beige fat, leading to benefits such as weight loss. The current project grant involves examination of human fat cells grown in the laboratory and investigation on the genetics of brown and beige fat.