The Therapeutic Role Of Complement Inhibition In ANCA Associated Glomerulonephritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,964.00
Summary
ANCA associated vasculitis is an inflammatory disease involving the kidney filters which is a major cause of chronic kidney failure. Current drugs to treat it are toxic. Less toxic treatments are required. In this study we will explore the potential for new treatments targeting complement (a normal blood protein involved in inflammation) to attenuate this disease in mice. We hope to define the role of complement in this disease and the benefits of inhibiting it before we use it in humans.
Phagocytic Clearance And Immune Activation In Malaria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$564,644.00
Summary
Macrophage white blood cells clear malaria infected cells by eating them, by three routes- by recognising ANTIBODIES or COMPLEMENT on the cell surface, or by the cell BINDING directly to the macrophage. Each has different results, such as amounts of cytokines produced. Cytokines clear malaria; in excess they can cause fatal immune pathology. We will investigate how variations in amount of antibody and complement and route of uptake of malaria infected cells might determine malaria outcome.
Interactions Between RAGE And The Type 1 Angiotensin Receptor Determine The Pro-atherosclerotic Actions Of Angiotensin II
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$521,956.00
Summary
Heart attacks and strokes are a major cause of death and disability in Australians. Activation of the renin angiotensin system plays a key role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis, the process that leads to narrowing and obstruction of arteries. In preliminary data we have found a way to block these pathways without affecting the control of blood pressure. We believe that interventions based on these data will be important for the prevention and treatment of heart disease.
Spatial And Temporal Dimensions Of Mu-opioid Receptor Signalling: Implications For The Development Of Tolerance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$799,316.00
Summary
The use of morphine as an analgesic is still limited by undesirable side effects such as tolerance. Despite decades of research, the mechanisms behind the development of tolerance are poorly understood. The ? opioid receptor is a protein expressed at the surface of the cells that is the target of morphine. This project will investigate the signalling events triggered by opioids with unprecedented resolution and will aim to elucidate why morphine elicits more tolerance than other opioid drugs.
Structural Events In Insulin And IGF Signalling - A Nanodisc Approach To A Problem In Cancer, Diabetes And Alzheimer's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$752,403.00
Summary
Insulin and its insulin-like growth factors play a major role in three major disease states facing ageing Australians—diabetes, cancer and Alzheimer's disease. We aim to understand how these proteins send messages into cells via their so-called receptors. We will isolate the receptor molecules from cells and then image them in an advanced electron microscope to produce three-dimensional images. Our findings will have implications for the design of therapeutics targeting the above three diseases.
Development Fo A Novel Treatment For Asthma: The Identification Of Lead Small Molecule Antagonists Of The IL-13/IL-13 Re
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$99,750.00
Summary
In developed countries Asthma ranks among the most common chronic illnesses. Over two million Australians now have this condition and the cost to our community is estimated to be in excess of $720 million per annum. In 1996 researchers at The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute discovered a new member of the cytokine receptor family, IL-13Ra1, which further research has strongly implicated in the pathology of this disease. The main goal of the proposed research is to discover small molecule antagoni ....In developed countries Asthma ranks among the most common chronic illnesses. Over two million Australians now have this condition and the cost to our community is estimated to be in excess of $720 million per annum. In 1996 researchers at The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute discovered a new member of the cytokine receptor family, IL-13Ra1, which further research has strongly implicated in the pathology of this disease. The main goal of the proposed research is to discover small molecule antagonists of IL-13Ra1 and to identify those suitable for development as novel asthma therapeutics.Read moreRead less
Targeting The Insulin And Insulin-like Growth Factor Receptors In Cancer, Diabetes And Alzheimer's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$993,251.00
Summary
Diabetes, cancer and Alzheimer's disease are three major diseases facing Australia. This Project will investigate a common point-of-focus of these diseases, namely the interaction of insulin and the insulin-like growth factors with their receptor molecules on the cell surface. It will use recent breakthrough findings by the Chief Investigators to develop new therapeutic approaches for these diseases that could function by targeting these interactions.
Biology Of EGFR Mutations In Glioblastoma Multiforme
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$287,445.00
Summary
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a protein that has a critical role in the development of normal cells. In glioma, the most lethal of the brain cancers, the EGFR is altered. These alterations result in uncontrolled activation of the EGFR, causing signals that promote the growth and survival of brain cancer. This grant seeks to understand the nature of the signals mediated by the altered EGFR, in turn helping us develop better therapeutics for the treatment of this deadly cancer.