Exploring The Therapeutic Potential Of TRAIL In Diabetes And The Metabolic Syndrome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$446,374.00
Summary
TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a protein with potentially useful actions in human health and disease. TRAIL is able to prevent atherosclerosis, the cause of heart attacks and strokes. In addition, we have recently shown that its actions on fat and the pancreas may prevent the development of the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. These studies will explore the therapeutic potential of TRAIL for the prevention of diabetes and heart disease in a range of animal models.
Role Of Epigenomic Changes In Conferring Hyperglycemic Memory
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$636,146.00
Summary
The major burden of type I diabetes remains its vascular complications including diabetes-accelerated athersclerosis. Despite improved glucose control, diabetic individuals develop complications as a result of prior poor glycemic control. Although the development and progression of these diabetic complications is strongly associated with mean levels of glucose, recent studies suggest that the deleterious effects of early exposure to high levels of glucose persist for years even after treatment h ....The major burden of type I diabetes remains its vascular complications including diabetes-accelerated athersclerosis. Despite improved glucose control, diabetic individuals develop complications as a result of prior poor glycemic control. Although the development and progression of these diabetic complications is strongly associated with mean levels of glucose, recent studies suggest that the deleterious effects of early exposure to high levels of glucose persist for years even after treatment has returned glucose levels towards normal.Read moreRead less
Effects Of Replacement And Withdrawal Of Testosterone In Human Males On Muscle, Bone And Fat
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$156,682.00
Summary
Male sex hormone or androgen deficiency (AD) is a common, but under-diagnosed condition. AD decreases well being and contributes to muscle weakness, bone fragility and weight gain. Cutting edge technology will be used to help explain how AD may relate to these negative effects, particularly on muscle function. Given the importance of aging, frailty, osteoporosis and obesity, understanding the role of hormones in these conditions may have major implications for prevention and treatment.
The Role Of Dicarbonyl-derived AGEs And RAGE In Diabetes Associated Atherosclerosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,617.00
Summary
Based on our pilot data we postulate that glucose derived molecules such as methylglyoxal (MGO) have effects on inflammation and oxidative stress leading to accelerated atherosclerosis in diabetes. Our studies aim to identify novel treatments which block these effects thus leading to superior protection and prevention of atherosclerosis in diabetes.
Vascular Cognitive Risk Score: Quantifying The Vascular Burden In Alzheimer's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$627,180.00
Summary
What causes dementia in a patient presenting to a clinic is often uncertain. While there are exciting potential treatments in the pipeline, we need to understand the cause of the disease in a specific patient to make correct treatment decisions. Stroke and other vascular diseases of the brain cause a significant proportion of dementia in the community. Using MRI scanning technology, this project will quantify this burden in a given patient by developing a ‘vascular cognitive risk' (VCR) score.
Local Sleep In The Awake Brain: An Underlying Cause Of Neurobehavioural Deficits In Sleep Apnea?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$582,330.00
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder which significantly impacts daytime functioning leading to excessive sleepiness, and problems with attention and thinking. Currently, the causes for cognitive impairment in OSA (including attentional lapses and performance deficits) are poorly understood. In the awake state, groups of neurons can briefly go “offline” as they do in sleep. These periods of “local sleep” may explain impaired task performance in OSA.
New Generation Antiplatelet Therapies To Prevent Preeclampsia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$483,148.00
Summary
Preeclampsia, a major complication of pregnancy, affects around 3-8% of pregnancies. Sadly, there is no way to prevent or delay disease. We have uncovered antiplatelet agents, used to prevent heart disease and stroke, may provide health benefits to women at risk of developing preeclampsia. We will test whether these agents can prevent the pathophysiology of preeclampsia in specialized human & mouse models developed in our laboratory. This work may provide a prevention strategy for preeclampsia.
The Role Of Myo18b In Myopathies And Sarcomere Assembly
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$860,776.00
Summary
Muscle force is provided by a specific structure within the muscle cell termed the sarcomere. Sarcomeres are the engine-room of muscle cells, that act as complex cellular machines to controls muscle contraction. Many muscle degenerative disorders are caused by defects within the sarcomeres, but how this occurs is not well understood. This grant examines how one such muscle waiting disease, or myopathy, results from mutations in a gene encoding a component of the sarcomere called Myo18b.
We have discovered a single tumour factor which causes cancer cachexia, a wasting condition that is one of the worst complications of malignancy, for which there is no current effective treatment. We have developed antibodies which effectively block this condition in preclinical models and have produced human/humanised version of this. This application is to characterise these human antibodies to allow us proceed to clinical trials.