Training-induced Restoration Of Topographic Maps And Vision During Opticnerve Regeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$379,725.00
Summary
The mature brain and spinal cord, or central nervous system (CNS), are extremely complex. A consequence of such complexity is that little if any spontaneous repair or regeneration occurs after damage. Brain injury and para- or quadriplegia thus inflict extremely high costs on the individual and to society, estimated at approximately $1 billion annually in Australia. One of the greatest medical challenges therefore is to restore function following neurotrauma. One of the most exciting advances, h ....The mature brain and spinal cord, or central nervous system (CNS), are extremely complex. A consequence of such complexity is that little if any spontaneous repair or regeneration occurs after damage. Brain injury and para- or quadriplegia thus inflict extremely high costs on the individual and to society, estimated at approximately $1 billion annually in Australia. One of the greatest medical challenges therefore is to restore function following neurotrauma. One of the most exciting advances, however, over the last decade is the recognition that the adult CNS, particularly after damage, does have a capacity for repair and that appropriate neural activity, produced either via relevant experience or specific training, is essential in driving the repair process to produce useful behavioural recovery. One of the clearest examples comes from our laboratory in which we have recently shown that training animals on specific visual tasks during optic nerve regeneration allows useful vision to be restored; untrained animals are blind via the experimental eye. The advantage of the visual system is that it is a relatively simple part of the CNS with one major class of nerve cell projecting to well defined and accessible brain regions. The significance of the project is that, for the first time, we are able pinpoint specific training-induced effects within identified nerve cells and their connections, a task that is much harder within other CNS regions. In particular, we will examine molecular, anatomical and functional changes that are induced via training and explore whether intervention with blockers of inhibitory neurotransmission further improves the beneficial effects of training. Understanding the changes in nerve cells that underlie the positive effects of training after neurotrauma will have implications for the continuing development of rehabilitation strategies for improved recovery after CNS injury.Read moreRead less
Use Of Expression Profiling To Identify Genes Influencing Cardiovascular Risk In The Norfolk Island Population Isolate
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$697,409.00
Summary
This study will use a unique population isolate from Norfolk Island. We aim to identify genes that play a role in cardiovascular disease risk. Norfolk has a population of ~1200 permanent residents, most of whom are direct descendents of 18th century English Bounty mutineers and Polynesian women. We will undertake gene expression mapping to identify genomic loci that influence cardiovascular disease using samples from this population isolate.
Structural Basis For Inhibition Of Malaria Invasion By Targeting The Apical Membrane Antigen Of Plasmodium Falciparum.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$434,134.00
Summary
3 million children die every year from malaria infections. A leading vaccine candidate is a protein from the malaria parasite called AMA1. Humans that have been infected with malaria make antibodies to this protein which can kill parasites, however little is known about how this occurs. We aim to identify regions of the protein that generate antibodies that prevent malaria parasites from invading human cells and help in the search for a vaccine against malaria.
Building Decision Support Systems To Combat Emerging Infectious Diseases And Neglected Tropical Diseases: A Precision Public Health Approach
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,562,250.00
Summary
Emerging infectious diseases and neglected tropical diseases cause significant disease burden globally, and pose major health security threats in the Asia Pacific. The frequency and severity of disease outbreaks are increasing, mostly driven by environmental and socio-demographic change. My research program will use cutting-edge technologies and analytics to develop interactive, dynamic and user-friendly decision support systems that optimise surveillance and control of infectious diseases.