The Contribution Of Gp130-Stat3 During Wnt-beta-catenin Induced Intestinal Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$396,275.00
Summary
There is growing evidence that cancer is initiated and develops not by the deregulation of a single gene or signaling pathway, but by multiple events. We will study the co-operation between two pathways - gp130-Stat and Wnt. These signaling pathways are frequently deregulated in many types of cancer, however their interaction remains poorly understood. We shall explore their mechanism of interaction during intestinal cancer in order to develop a novel therapeutic target for this disease.
Participation Of Intrinsic Sensory Neurons In The Initiation Of Colonic And Gastric Reflexes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$109,448.00
Summary
The gastrointestinal tract adjusts its digestive activity in response to the food that we eat. To do this, the bulk and chemical composition of the food and products of digestion must be sensed. In the small intestine, this sensing is by neurons in the wall on the intestine (intrinsic neurons) and by neurons with cells outside the intestine and endings in its wall (extrinsic neurons). There is evidence for there being intrinsic sensory neurons in the colon, subserving fewer functions than in the ....The gastrointestinal tract adjusts its digestive activity in response to the food that we eat. To do this, the bulk and chemical composition of the food and products of digestion must be sensed. In the small intestine, this sensing is by neurons in the wall on the intestine (intrinsic neurons) and by neurons with cells outside the intestine and endings in its wall (extrinsic neurons). There is evidence for there being intrinsic sensory neurons in the colon, subserving fewer functions than in the small intestine, but direct recordings from putative colonic intrinsic sensory neurons during sensory stimuli have not been made. The literature does not indicate whether there are intrinsic sensory neurons in the stomach. Some data suggests they may be present only in the antrum. It is important to determine whether there are intrinsic sensory neurons in the colon and stomach, which seems likely, to identify them morphologically and physiologically, and to investigate their responsiveness to physiological sensory stimuli. These data may be useful to understand the pathogenesis of functional bowel disorders, including delayed emptying in the stomach (which occurs in diabetes, for example) and slow transit constipation. Proper identification and characterisation of intrinsic sensory neurons might guide the development of therapies for disorders of colonic and gastric motility.Read moreRead less
Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation To Relieve Chronic Constipation In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$82,450.00
Summary
1 in 300 children suffer from chronic constipation that is not fixed by changing their diet or taking laxatives. They continue to suffer the problem into adulthood. They also have fecal incontinence or soiling that causes problems with socialising and schooling. We are testing a method of electrical stimulation through the skin on the belly to increase the movement of the bowel. Initial results are encouraging, showing that the rate of movement of the bowel is increased and soiling is decreased.