Dopamine-2 Receptor Antibody In Movement And Psychiatric Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,783.00
Summary
Autoimmune movement and psychiatric disorders are a common cause of neurological disability young adults and adolescents. We have identified a subgroup of patients whose disease is associated with an autoimmune reaction. Our study will identify the earliest immune responses against the brain in children with autoimmune movement and psychiatric disorders. Identifying these early immune responses will allow early and directed treatments to prevent disability and death in the future.
Lipophilic Iron Chelators As Potential Therapeutic Agents In Parkinson's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$616,537.00
Summary
The impaired coordination and tremors experienced by the 64,000 Australians with Parkinson’s disease make managing life at work and home difficult. With 240,000 Australians projected to be living with Parkinson’s disease by 2033, the discovery of agents that slow or stop disease progression is urgent. Iron in the brain has been implicated in Parkinson’s disease. In this project, the performance of new low toxicity agents in altering brain iron distribution will be studied as potential drugs for ....The impaired coordination and tremors experienced by the 64,000 Australians with Parkinson’s disease make managing life at work and home difficult. With 240,000 Australians projected to be living with Parkinson’s disease by 2033, the discovery of agents that slow or stop disease progression is urgent. Iron in the brain has been implicated in Parkinson’s disease. In this project, the performance of new low toxicity agents in altering brain iron distribution will be studied as potential drugs for Parkinson’s disease.Read moreRead less
Calpeptin, And Related Candidates, For The Treatment Of Machado Joseph Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$888,040.00
Summary
Machado Joseph Disease (MJD) is a neurodegenerative disease that causes impaired movement and progressive paralysis, leading to patient death. MJD is inherited within families, including a high number of Indigenous families of northeast Arnhem Land. We have identified a possible treatment for MJD that has positive effects on a small animal model of the disease (zebrafish carrying the human MJD gene). We plan to test this treatment further with the aim of developing a treatment for MJD patients.
Sensory Cortex Processing Changes Underlying Brain And Behaviour Deficits Caused By Traumatic Brain Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$576,795.00
Summary
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) from physical head trauma causes behavior and cognitive deficits. The burden for victims, families and the community is enormous: total life-time expenses in moderate-to-severe TBI are estimated to be $8.6 billion in Australia. We aim to elucidate whether changes in how the brain processes sensory information could underlie TBI-induced deficits in complex behaviour and whether these changes will be ameliorated by the three currently-most-promising treatments for TBI.
RESTORE - Individualised Movement Rehabilitation And Movement Sensor Biofeedback For Chronic, Disabling Low Back Pain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,214,385.00
Summary
Low back pain is the leading cause of disability in Australia, with an enormous cost burden for society. Available treatments have resulted in only moderate improvements that typically do not last. We propose to investigate the clinical- and cost-effectiveness of two new treatments that have shown promising early results: i) an individualised movement and cognitive rehabilitation approach (‘Cognitive Functional Therapy’) and ii) biofeedback from wireless movement sensors worn on the spine
A Mechanotransduction Apparatus To Coordinate Epithelial Collective Cell Migration.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$994,596.00
Summary
Epithelial cells migrate as physically coherent collective groups, which is necessary for normal development and is disrupted as cancers progress to become invasive and spread. Collective migration requires communication so that the behaviour of individual cells is properly coordinated. In this project we investigate how the transmission of physical force between cells allows them to communicate; and test how its disruption contributes to cancer invasion.
Understanding The Role Of The Atypical Cadherin Fat4 In Lymphatic Vascular Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,006,248.00
Summary
This application will define the role of a large cell adhesion molecule, FAT4, in lymphatic vascular development. By understanding how FAT4 functions in lymphatic vessels, we will gain insight to the mechanisms by which mutations in the gene that encodes this protein cause a human lymphoedema syndrome.
Regulation Of T Cell Effector Function In Peripheral Tissues
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$698,550.00
Summary
Protection from infections relies on different types of immune cells. While some of these cells are found in the blood, others reside in peripheral tissues such as the skin. We will analyse the function of these peripheral immune cells to understand how they work to fight off infections. We will also investigate how so-called memory cells that permanently reside in peripheral tissues can protect from re-infection with similar bacteria or viruses.
The Role Of Clathrin In The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint And As An Anti-cancer Target
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$651,768.00
Summary
Cell division produces two daughter cells. Incorrect localisation and modification of proteins that regulate mitosis cause errors that can lead to cancer. As well as using a unique machinery mitosis uses proteins involved in non-cell cycle pathways. This project investigates the role during mitosis of one such protein: clathrin. We will identify lead clathrin inhibitory compounds, pitstops, that have potential anti-cancer properties, ultimately to be used as a chemotherapy agent.
The Molecular And Cellular Trajectories Of Clonal Dendritic Cell Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$826,742.00
Summary
Dendritic cells (DCs) are a blood cell type with a crucial role in our immune system. They are made in the bone marrow from stem and progenitor cells. How each of these cells individually makes DCs is complex and dynamic. We seek to understand this using cutting edge technologies to track each cell’s step-by-step role in this important process. This knowledge may help the use of DCs in the treatment of several diseases including autoimmunity and cancer.