Investigating The Biological Significance Of Proteolytic Prion Protein Processing.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$328,558.00
Summary
Prion diseases, including Bovine Spongiform encephalopathy (“mad cow disease”) and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease in humans are transmissible and fatal diseases that occur when the normal prion protein (PrPc) mis-folds and accumulates in the brain. The specific function of PrPc within a cell remains unclear, however its presence is essential for prion diseases to occur. This project aims to define how PrPc cleavage affects its biological function(s), and influences susceptibility to prion infection.
Pandemic Influenza Vaccine: Exploiting The Conserved HA Cleavage Site
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$243,300.00
Summary
Influenza virus needs to cleave its surface spike protein, hemagglutinin or HA, to become mature and infectious. This project is aimed at producing a vaccine that will block the cleavage thus rendering the virus non-infectious. To achieve this, we will use synthetic fragments (called peptides) of the viral HA spike protein mimicking its cleavage site to immunize mice. This will produce specific antibodies that will bind to the cleavage site while the virus is inside the infected cell, thus preve ....Influenza virus needs to cleave its surface spike protein, hemagglutinin or HA, to become mature and infectious. This project is aimed at producing a vaccine that will block the cleavage thus rendering the virus non-infectious. To achieve this, we will use synthetic fragments (called peptides) of the viral HA spike protein mimicking its cleavage site to immunize mice. This will produce specific antibodies that will bind to the cleavage site while the virus is inside the infected cell, thus preventing the viral spike protein from being cleaved and remain immature. This idea is particularly suited to fight the bird flu, as all pathogenic bird influenza viruses cleave HA spike proteins within the infected cell.Read moreRead less
Investigate The Role Of Ectoenzymes In Regulating The Haemostatic Function Of Human Platelets
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$215,882.00
Summary
Platelets are cells found in the blood that are essential for stopping bleeding after injury. These cells stick to the blood vessel wall and initiate the formation of a blood clot which plugs the injured blood vessel. Similiar processes are involved in the formation of harmful blood clots that block blood vessels in the heart or brain, causing heart attacks and stroks, respectively. Platelets stick to the blood vessel wall through proteins called receptors, which are located on the platelet surf ....Platelets are cells found in the blood that are essential for stopping bleeding after injury. These cells stick to the blood vessel wall and initiate the formation of a blood clot which plugs the injured blood vessel. Similiar processes are involved in the formation of harmful blood clots that block blood vessels in the heart or brain, causing heart attacks and stroks, respectively. Platelets stick to the blood vessel wall through proteins called receptors, which are located on the platelet surface. We are investigating the processes that naturally regulate these receptors and therefore modulate the adhesive properties of platelets. We have found that a group of enzymes, also located on the platelet surface, remove these receptors, thereby limiting the ability of these cells to stick to blood vessels and form clots. Unravelling these processes will not only help with our understanding of clot formation in health and disease, but also with the potential development of new therapies for the prevention of heart disease and stroke.Read moreRead less
High blood pressure and heart disease, are a significant health issue affecting more than 25% of the Australian population. We have recently found that a new enzyme called ACE2 involved in cardiovascular regulation is greatly increased in heart tissue following heart attack. Furthermore, we have evidence that this enzyme is released into the blood after a heart attack or as a consequnce of chronic liver injury. The current project aims to expand on our preliminary data and to understand the basi ....High blood pressure and heart disease, are a significant health issue affecting more than 25% of the Australian population. We have recently found that a new enzyme called ACE2 involved in cardiovascular regulation is greatly increased in heart tissue following heart attack. Furthermore, we have evidence that this enzyme is released into the blood after a heart attack or as a consequnce of chronic liver injury. The current project aims to expand on our preliminary data and to understand the basic biology underlying the mechanism of ACE2 secretion in cardiovascular and liver diseases. In addition, the measurement of ACE2 in plasma may provide useful information on prognosis and knowledge of the mechanism underlying ACE2 secretion may define new therapeutic targets to treat and prevent cardiovascular and liver diseaseRead moreRead less
The Role Of Vitamin D In Beta Cell Function, Glucose Tolerance And Diabetes Mellitus.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$102,820.00
Summary
A significant proportion of Australians are deficient in Vitamin D, a vitamin obtained from sunlight exposure and to a lesser extent from food. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with increased risk of Type 2 diabetes. This study aims to demonstrate the mechanisms through which vitamin D affects the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas and to determine whether deficiency affects the body's handling of glucose and subsequent risk of Type 2 diabetes and diabetes in pregnancy.