Predicting Drug-drug Interactions Due To Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors: Inhibition Of Drug Metabolising Enzymes And Transporters
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$535,495.00
Summary
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are a new class of anticancer agents. Cancer patients typically receive multiple drugs, for the treatment of cancer and other diseases, increasing the probability of interactions between coadministered drugs. Despite the widespread use of TKIs, their potential to cause drug interactions is poorly understood. Using novel in vitro approaches, this project will identify drug interactions precipitated by TKIs thereby improving drug efficacy and patient safety.
Development And Evaluation Of Novel Anti-inflammatory Products Derived From An Indigenous Medicinal Plant
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$276,598.00
Summary
This collaborative project between researchers at the University of South Australia and Indigenous traditional owners from Northern Kaanju homelands (Cape York Peninsula, Qld) will develop and evaluate products derived from the Northern Kaanju medicinal plant Dodonaea polyandra. Extracts of the plant and novel compounds isolated from it have anti-inflammatory activity. These have the potential to be used in inflammatory diseases such as dermatitis, arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.
A Novel Metabolic Role For UDP Glycosyltransferase 8 (UGT8)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,144.00
Summary
The UDP glycosyltransferases (UGTs) are a family of enzymes that remove drugs and toxins from the human body as well as control levels of naturally produced molecules such as bile acids and hormones. We found that a new member of this family called UGT8 processes bile acids in the kidney and intestine and can affect how bile acids act to regulate metabolism. Our studies uncover new roles for bile acids in liver, kidney and gut health and in metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity.
Structure And Function Of Antimicrobial Therapies And Their Interaction With Upper Respiratory Biofilms
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,891.00
Summary
Bacterial infections of the upper respiratory tract are a major public health problem affecting millions of Australians. Commonly prescribed antibiotics are often not able to eradicate all bacteria as the bacteria often reside in a protective, self-produced gel-like matrix known as biofilm. This Fellowship aims to unravel the interaction of modern anti-infective therapeutics with the biofilm for the development of the next generation of safe and efficacious anti-biofilm strategies.
The migration of cancer cells (metastasis) is responsible for most cancer deaths. Central to this is dynamic organisation of the actin cytoskeleton _ an internal structure that provides cell shape and enables movement. We have identified a family of small molecules (called miR-200) that regulates this actin cytoskeleton through specifically downregulating various genes. We are investigating the nature of these genes and their role in cell motility _ an underlying pre-requisite of metastasis.
Stimulant laxatives are widely used and usually very effective in the short term, but how they work is very poorly understood. Our recent work has shown that they selectively excite sensory pathways from the colon which then trigger defaecation. This points to an undiscovered mechanism that potently affects colonic sensation and motility. This is likely to be a target for new treatments for other colonic disorders such as Irritable bowel syndrome and faecal incontinence.
Can Decision Analytic Modelling Promote Clinical Translation Of Personalised Medicine Markers For Oncology Drugs?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$69,893.00
Summary
Personalised medicine is an approach that has great potential to improve healthcare. There has been limited success to date, however, in utilising proposed tests in the clinical. It is proposed that use of mathematical models early in the development of personalised medicine tests will allow early understanding of the value that the test will have for patients and society. Such insight will help build a strong case to undertake the research required before personalised medicine can be more widel ....Personalised medicine is an approach that has great potential to improve healthcare. There has been limited success to date, however, in utilising proposed tests in the clinical. It is proposed that use of mathematical models early in the development of personalised medicine tests will allow early understanding of the value that the test will have for patients and society. Such insight will help build a strong case to undertake the research required before personalised medicine can be more widely used to improve treatment for cancer.Read moreRead less
MICROFABRICATED DEVICES: A SIGNIFICANT ADVANCE FOR THE DETECTION AND MOLECULAR ANALYSES OF CIRCULATING CANCER CELLS?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$422,107.00
Summary
Using advanced microfabrication concepts, this project aims to develop a platform technology able to capture tumour cells circulating in the blood of cancer patients. Although present only in extremely small numbers, these cells provide invaluable insights into the pathophysiology of the disease and consequently provide vital diagnostic and prognostic information. Molecular analyses of these cancer cells could ultimately enable the design of improved and personalized cancer treatment.