Understanding The Role Of Light Exposure In Individual Differences In The Circadian Response To Shift Work
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$803,672.00
Summary
This study will evaluate the effects of environmental light exposure on the response of the circadian pacemaker to night shift in a large sample of shift workers. It will refine a novel biomathematical model of the circadian pacemaker to improve predictions of circadian timing for individual shift workers. This prediction will inform personalised recommendations to enhance circadian adaptation to night shift and reduce the negative implications of circadian misalignment on health and safety.
Reducing Global Mortality And Severity Of Disease In Newborn Infants Through Innovation And Holistic Interventions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,060,520.00
Summary
Infants born prematurely often encounter problems affecting the growth, development and function of multiple body systems. This multi-organ disease usually results from infection, inflammation, and excessive or insufficient oxygen. Importantly, many premature infants are born in low-resource settings. This fellowship aims to reduce global mortality and multi-organ disease in preterm infants using simple, holistic and low-cost interventions that directly target the underlying causative factors.
Investigating New Molecular Mechanisms That Contribute To The Establishment Of Epigenetic Silencing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,488,142.00
Summary
Epigenetic marks are changes made to the DNA which help genes to be switched off in some cells and switched on in others e.g. for elastin to be switched on in skin and off in blood. Epigenetic marks are critical to normal development. We are interested in the genes that are necessary to add epigenetic marks to the DNA and understanding how the many genes involved in this process co-operate at the molecular level to switch genes off.
Seizures appear unpredictable and greatly affect the quality of all aspects of life for patients with epilepsy and their carers. New advances in complex systems theory suggest that transitions from normal brain activity to seizures are preceded by measurable changes in the brain’s responses to stimuli, known as critical slowing. Measurement of critical slowing will enable prediction of seizures, providing a warning system, and possibly an opportunity to deliver preventative therapies.
Monitoring Cortical Excitability Using A Probing Stimulus For Epileptic Seizure Anticipation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$392,997.00
Summary
Millions of people with epilepsy suffer from seizures that cannot be controlled by medication. Life-threatening seizure may strike at any time, restricting patients from leaving their homes due the constant fear of a seizure. This research offers hope for people with epilepsy by developing a method of anticipating seizures. Successful outcomes will not only provide a warning of impending seizures, but also an opportunity for intervention, thereby preventing seizures.
Circadian Clock Regulation Of Dendritic Cell Metabolism And Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,768.00
Summary
Immunological and metabolic parameters change with the time of day, and are known as circadian rhythms. These fluctuations are critical for host adaptation to the environment and anticipate any increased risks of tissue damage and infection that accompany changes in activity and feeding. How the molecular circadian clock influences innate control of adaptive immunity is unknown. We will investigate how circadian proteins influence immune function through their sensing of nutrient and metabolic
Altering Meal Times To Reverse The Metabolic Consequences Of Shift Work
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$735,715.00
Summary
Shift work disrupts the internal body clock, which increases the risk for obesity and type 2 diabetes. Our research demonstrates meal timing plays an important role in this metabolic disturbance. Data from animal studies suggests that the adverse consequences of shift work can be reduced by eating only during the day. This study will investigate if this also occurs in humans, potentially leading to a straightforward solution to reduce the burden of chronic diseases in shift workers.