Colorectal Cancer - Molecular Basis To Targeted Therapeutics.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$19,818,386.00
Summary
Cancer of the colon and rectum is the most common form of cancer in Australia. Over 12,000 people are diagnosed each year with colorectal cancer (CRC) and more than one third of people will die of their disease. CRC is caused by mistakes in production of colon cells. Our research aims to discover new ways to detect CRC, develop smart drugs and nanoparticle delivery systems for destroying all types of CRC cells. We will then test our new anti-cancer drugs in clinical trials with CRC patients.
Colon Cancer: Receptors, Signalling And Therapeutics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$7,115,542.00
Summary
This program aims to understand the biochemical and biological basis of colorectal cancer, a major cause of cancer deaths in Australia. The Chief Investigators have extensive experience in the analysis of the molecular defects in colorectal cancer cells and have already developed new drugs to treat successfully experimental colon tumours in animals. During this research program, we will explore these systems further, concentrating on the identification of novel inhibitors of colon cancer cell gr ....This program aims to understand the biochemical and biological basis of colorectal cancer, a major cause of cancer deaths in Australia. The Chief Investigators have extensive experience in the analysis of the molecular defects in colorectal cancer cells and have already developed new drugs to treat successfully experimental colon tumours in animals. During this research program, we will explore these systems further, concentrating on the identification of novel inhibitors of colon cancer cell growth, survival and movement. Newly developed instruments and techniques will allow us to identify and detect the critical steps during the development of colorectal cancer and to design potent drugs to fight the disease. We have experience in conducting novel clinical trials in colon cancer and have developed imaging techniques for monitoring the effectiveness and safety of new anti-cancer drugs. Our collective scientific experience and ability to work in the clinic provides a unique opportunity for developing more effective treatments for colorectal cancer patients.Read moreRead less
The Translation Of Dendritic Cell Biology Into Clinical Practice
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,674,406.00
Summary
This Program combines world recognized expertise in the science of immunology and the blood system, with top Australian expertise in the practice of bone marrow transplantation and the treatment of hematological malignancies. Its vision is to study the biology of dendritic cells, which are the specialized white cells that initiate the immune response, and then, to apply this knowledge to the design and introduction of novel diagnostic and therapeutic immune strategies, to improve the survival of ....This Program combines world recognized expertise in the science of immunology and the blood system, with top Australian expertise in the practice of bone marrow transplantation and the treatment of hematological malignancies. Its vision is to study the biology of dendritic cells, which are the specialized white cells that initiate the immune response, and then, to apply this knowledge to the design and introduction of novel diagnostic and therapeutic immune strategies, to improve the survival of patients with leukaemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma.Read moreRead less
Control Of Proteases In Infectious, Degenerative And Cardiovascular Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$11,668,789.00
Summary
Proteases are enzymes that control key processes in humans. The research in this program will result in major discoveries in the field of proteases and their inhibitors, with a focus on inflammatory, cardiovascular and degenerative disease. The knowledge gained from this strong foundation of fundamental research will underpin the translational outcomes necessary to combat the debilitating effects of immunological dysfunction, conformational and cardiovascular disease.
Structural Biology Of Cytokine Receptor Signalling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,988,996.00
Summary
This Program will be focused on a group of protein hormones and their receptors, implicated in blood cell cancers and inflammatory diseases and for which current treatments are inadequate. We will determine the mechanism of receptor activation and in particular will seek to link different forms of receptor assembly to different functions. This information will help us develop new drugs with more specificity for certain hormone functions and thus less side-effects.
The goal of the proposed Program is to improve treatments forpain, especially persistent pain, which remains a poorly managed global health burden. Our pre-eminent team integrates a unique set of complementary research skills in using peptides derived from venomous invertebrates to dissect the pharmacology of pain pathways in persistent pain states, and develop these novel peptides to the point where they can be considered for pre-clinical development in collaboration with commercial partners.
Antibodies are made by B-cells and are essential for a functional immune system. B cells circulate in the body, and, when they encounter an invader, they mature into antibody-producing cells (ASC). A small proportion of the cells become “memory” cells with the potential to become ASC should the same infection occur in the future. This is the basis of vaccination. This program aims to understand how a B cell changes into an ASC. We aim eventually to be able to improve vaccines and understand dise ....Antibodies are made by B-cells and are essential for a functional immune system. B cells circulate in the body, and, when they encounter an invader, they mature into antibody-producing cells (ASC). A small proportion of the cells become “memory” cells with the potential to become ASC should the same infection occur in the future. This is the basis of vaccination. This program aims to understand how a B cell changes into an ASC. We aim eventually to be able to improve vaccines and understand diseases such as allergy, lupus, arthritis and leukaemia to develop novel therapies.Read moreRead less
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is threatening the health of this nation and if unchecked will cripple our health care system. There are several problems: (1) The incidence of T2D is growing and we do not fully know why; (2) T2D involves defective insulin action but how insulin works normally is still unclear; (3) much research in this area is performed in laboratory cells or animals and the translation of this research to the human disease is yet to be fully realised; and (4) current therapies and diagno ....Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is threatening the health of this nation and if unchecked will cripple our health care system. There are several problems: (1) The incidence of T2D is growing and we do not fully know why; (2) T2D involves defective insulin action but how insulin works normally is still unclear; (3) much research in this area is performed in laboratory cells or animals and the translation of this research to the human disease is yet to be fully realised; and (4) current therapies and diagnostic markers for early disease prediction are inadequate. Our goal is to make progress in each of these areas.Read moreRead less
A major obstacle to the development of safer and more effective pain treatments is the poorly defined nature of the different pathways involved in chronic pain. The applicant team bring together a unique set of research expertise in using neurotoxins to define, at the molecular level, how the nervous system functions. The applicants also share a common interest in understanding and improving treatments for pain, especially chronic pain which continues to remain poorly managed Through a focus on ....A major obstacle to the development of safer and more effective pain treatments is the poorly defined nature of the different pathways involved in chronic pain. The applicant team bring together a unique set of research expertise in using neurotoxins to define, at the molecular level, how the nervous system functions. The applicants also share a common interest in understanding and improving treatments for pain, especially chronic pain which continues to remain poorly managed Through a focus on pain research, the Program will significantly enhance the scope of existing multidisciplinary collaborations between the Cis Lewis Alewood, Adams and Christie, which have already made a considerable impact in the fields of pharmacology and neuroscience. The CIs also have considerable experience in the development of pain therapeutics, having discovered two conopeptides now under commercial development with AMRAD (AM336) and Xenome Ltd (Xen2174). This Program will discover and use highly selective conopeptides such as these to dissect the pharmacology of peripheral pain pathways and their projections into the central nervous system, and to identify and characterise new targets amenable to drug intervention. The long-term goal of the Program is to discover new targets in pain pathways and develop conopeptides that act on these targets in animal models of chronic pain. These molecules will be optimised within the Program to the point where they can be considered for pre-clinical development in collaboration with commercial partners.Read moreRead less