Unveiling The Origin Of Munc18-1 And Alpha-synuclein Co-aggregation At Nanoscale
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$620,005.00
Summary
Our recent work on Munc18-1 mutations leading to a severe form of human early infantile epileptic encephalopathy (EIEE) led us to uncover a critical role for Munc18-1 in controlling the formation of toxic protein aggregates containing ?-Synuclein. Targeting the Munc18-1 ?-Synuclein interaction may have therapeutic values not only for EIEE but also for other neurological diseases characterised by protein aggregations.
Testing The Prion Hypothesis In Parkinson’s Disease Using A Novel In Vivo Model Of Α-synuclein Transmission
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$622,555.00
Summary
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a debilitating neurological disease with no cure. Recently it has been discovered that the disease can spread through the brain. We have developed the worlds first animal model to study exactly how the disease propagates inside of neurons during this spread. We will use the model to answer key questions about this critical stage of disease spread, knowledge that is essential for the development of successful therapies to prevent disease progression.
Human Tyrosine Hydroxylase Isoforms And Susceptibility Of Dopaminergic Neurons To Degeneration In Parkinson's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$359,683.00
Summary
In Parkinson's disease there is major loss of the dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra. We are investigating how the control of dopamine synthesis may affect the differential loss of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease. Understanding why certain dopaminergic die in Parkinson's disease and others do not will help the development of new treatment strategies for Parkinson's disease.
Neuronal Toll-like 2 Receptors Contribute To The Spread Of Parkinson's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$900,010.00
Summary
How the pathological protein in Parkinson’s disease (PD), ?-synuclein, spreads through the brain remains unknown. Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) located on microglial cells have been identified as the receptor responsible for the internalization of ?-synuclein by this cell. We have found TLR2 in PD neurons accumulating Lewy pathologies, suggesting that neuronal TLR2 contributes to the neuronal spread of ?-synuclein in PD, a theory requiring further biological evidence prior to therapeutic targeting
The Functional Interplay Between Alpha Synuclein And Synaptophysin In Synaptic Vesicle Recycling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$405,461.00
Summary
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, affecting 7 million people worldwide. ?-synuclein is a protein in that brain that is likely to contribute to the death of brain cells in PD, but the normal role of the protein remains unknown. This study will investigate the function of ?-synuclein in maintaining normal healthy brain activity. In addition, this work will help us understand the processes that go awry in neurodegenerative disease states such as PD.
The Role Of Long Noncoding RNAs In Parkinson’s Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$692,699.00
Summary
Parkinson's disease is a complex neurodegenerative disorder. For 90% of patients there is no known cause and for all patients there is no cure. The development of genome studies and transcriptome sequencing has revealed a class of noncoding RNAs whose regulation or dysregulation may lay at the heart of what goes wrong for PD sufferers. Our laboratory focuses on critical PD genes and their regulation by long noncoding RNAs.
The Role Of PARK9 And Autophagy In Parkinson's Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$396,198.00
Summary
With an ageing population, the health burdens of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD) are numerous. We have found a role for a PD suspectibility gene, PARK9, in autophagy- a neuroprotective degradative pathway, that may also be involved in keeping ÎSyn, a pivitol protein in PD, levels in check.
Targeting Small Heat Shock Proteins In Diseases Associated With Alpha-synuclein Aggregation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Summary
This research will provide fundamental insight into processes that control the onset and progression of neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, and may lead to the development of novel drugs to treat these disorders. The work will increase Australia's international research standing and provide high-quality multi-disciplinary training to research students.
Worldwide Molecular Analysis Of Streptococcus Pyogenes Scarlet Fever Outbreaks
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$544,041.00
Summary
The microorganism group A Streptococcus (also called GAS or Streptococcus pyogenes) ranks among the top 10 infectious disease killers of humans. Recently, outbreaks of scarlet fever have occurred in both Asia and the United Kingdom, placing a serious strain on health systems. The reasons underlying these outbreaks remain unknown. Our team will lead the global effort to characterise this rise in scarlet fever, and provide recommendations and solutions to health professionals.
Interrogation Of Streptococcal Genomic Epidemiology Within Disease Endemic Regions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$325,896.00
Summary
Group A streptococcal (GAS) bacterial infections within the Indigenous populations of Northern Australia are amongst the highest in the world. This project uses comparative bacterial genomics to examine current and historical outbreaks of GAS disease in Northern Australia relative to globally sourced GAS. This will be used to examine the spread of disease causing GAS between remote communities as well as investigating genetic markers of disease and informing therapeutic interventions.