Neurodegeneration In The Ageing Brain: How The Pathways Leading To Aggregated Protein Cause Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$12,322,838.00
Summary
The team consists of eight highly experienced research scientists who are dedicated to solving the question of how the brain degenerates in the elderly when associated with the accumulation of certain proteins: e.g. A_ amyloid (Alzheimer�s disease) and PrP (Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease). Understanding the molecular pathways leading to the degeneration (loss of neuronal synapses) will permit the development of rational diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Over the past five years the program ha ....The team consists of eight highly experienced research scientists who are dedicated to solving the question of how the brain degenerates in the elderly when associated with the accumulation of certain proteins: e.g. A_ amyloid (Alzheimer�s disease) and PrP (Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease). Understanding the molecular pathways leading to the degeneration (loss of neuronal synapses) will permit the development of rational diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Over the past five years the program has identified several diagnostic and therapeutic avenues which are now being developed by the Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology industries. Much more research is still required for maximizing the chances of success using these approaches.Read moreRead less
IMPROVING STROKE OUTCOMES: NEW TARGETS AND THERAPIES
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$7,212,064.00
Summary
Previously we established a unique collaboration of researchers from the basic and clinical sciences.. The main aim of this ' vertically integrated ' model was to develop new therapies to improve stroke outcomes. We developed a system to identify ' off-the-shelf ' compounds which protect the brain after stroke onset. This involves data assimilation (meta-analysis) in a unique way, an approach which has attracted attention internationally. We are also completing an important clinical trial using ....Previously we established a unique collaboration of researchers from the basic and clinical sciences.. The main aim of this ' vertically integrated ' model was to develop new therapies to improve stroke outcomes. We developed a system to identify ' off-the-shelf ' compounds which protect the brain after stroke onset. This involves data assimilation (meta-analysis) in a unique way, an approach which has attracted attention internationally. We are also completing an important clinical trial using the clot dissolving agent tPA to extend the time during which the drug may be effective beyond the three-hours currently used. In the next phase of our program we plan to expand the basic science component to identify parts of brain cells (axons and dendrites) which may yield important information about new drugs to protect the brain. We will use our novel summary data technique to test drugs in animal models more appropriate to the human stroke paradigm than have been used in the past In clinical studies we will follow our theme of identifying new targets for therapy using sophisticated PET and MRI imaging techniques, both in patients who are at great risk of stroke recurrence after a minor warning stroke and those with stroke caused by bleeding within the brain. These studies will provide information about predictors of recurrent and worsening stroke which may be modified by new therapies. The final stage in identifying new therapies is the Phase III clinical trial. We will complete one of these in which the most appropriate drug preventing further strokes in a major new stroke subtype will be identified. Toward the end of the program, we will commence phase 3 studies of drugs we have selected as being most likely to protect the brain based on our animal experiments. The main benefit of this unique collaborative research model is to efficiently identify new therapies to reduce the burden of stroke, currently the second most common cause of death globally.Read moreRead less
Molecular Mechanisms Of Cardiac Function And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,053,131.00
Summary
Adult-onset heart disease remains the leading cause of death and disability in our society, with almost 2 million Australians affected. Furthermore, structural heart malformations are the most common type of abnormality at birth and the leading cause of deaths in infants dying from non-infectious causes. Many of these problems are due to defects in the development, repair and-or function of heart muscle cells or cardiomyocytes. Thus, we propose to understand, in fine detail, cardiomyocyte as wel ....Adult-onset heart disease remains the leading cause of death and disability in our society, with almost 2 million Australians affected. Furthermore, structural heart malformations are the most common type of abnormality at birth and the leading cause of deaths in infants dying from non-infectious causes. Many of these problems are due to defects in the development, repair and-or function of heart muscle cells or cardiomyocytes. Thus, we propose to understand, in fine detail, cardiomyocyte as well as integrated heart development, biology, physiology and function as a prerequisite for the development of major advances in the prevention and treatment of these disorders.Read moreRead less
Nerodegeneration In The Aging Brain: How The Pathways Leading To Aggregating Protein Cause Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$15,050,508.00
Summary
The Neurodegeneration Program is discovering the basic pathways that cause Alzheimer’s disease and related diseases of the aging brain; from these discoveries the team are finding new methods for early diagnosis and therapeutic interventions which will allow them to determine whether it is possible to delay the onset or improve the way in which the brain copes with these diseases
The Biology And Therapeutic Manipulation Of Lymphatic Vessels In Human Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,688,743.00
Summary
This proposal is for an established team of researchers and clinicians to explore the molecular control of the lymphatic system. This network of lymphatic vessels, located in organs throughout the body, is critical for regulation of tissue fluid and immune function. This program will explore the molecules which control the function of lymphatic vessels and their interactions with other cells in the body. It will greatly enhance our understanding of the lymphatic vessels and identify molecular ta ....This proposal is for an established team of researchers and clinicians to explore the molecular control of the lymphatic system. This network of lymphatic vessels, located in organs throughout the body, is critical for regulation of tissue fluid and immune function. This program will explore the molecules which control the function of lymphatic vessels and their interactions with other cells in the body. It will greatly enhance our understanding of the lymphatic vessels and identify molecular targets for medicines designed to treat cancer, cardiovascular disease and lymphoedema.Read moreRead less
Heart Failure And Its Antecedents: Pathophysiology, Prevention And Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$9,061,084.00
Summary
Heart failure is mainly a result of coronary artery disease. It is a major cause of disability and mortality in Australia and is projected to increase markedly over the next two decades. This program brings together clinical and basic science expertise to address aspects of the prevention and control of coronary disease and heart failure. The outcomes that will arise will provide a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the progression from stable heart disease to failure.
Immunological Therapies For Cancer And Autoimmunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,928,323.00
Summary
The programme team comprises a group of leading scientists with a history of successful investigation into the mechanisms and treatment of diseases in which the immune system plays a role in their development. These include cancers of the cervix and blood system, and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes. Working together, the team have made discoveries that have led to testing and clinical development of new treatments for these diseases. In this programme, the te ....The programme team comprises a group of leading scientists with a history of successful investigation into the mechanisms and treatment of diseases in which the immune system plays a role in their development. These include cancers of the cervix and blood system, and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes. Working together, the team have made discoveries that have led to testing and clinical development of new treatments for these diseases. In this programme, the team aims to discover mechanisms regulating the immune response, and to exploit this knowledge to define new ways of switching on or off, specific immune responses. We will particularly seek to develop novel vaccines for chronic infections and autoimmune diseases, and to improve the safety of bone marrow transplantation.Read moreRead less
Integration Of Risk Evaluation In Cardiovascular Disease Management Programs.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,162,176.00
Summary
This study will determine the feasibility of a coordinated health care team approach to the treatment of cardiovascular disorders. It will examine a range of issues – who would most benefit from this approach, its value for money, the relative importance of health care services to consumers, and where to invest additional health funds. Built on strong collaborations between expert researchers in advanced diagnostic techniques, coordinated health care, community health care and health economics, ....This study will determine the feasibility of a coordinated health care team approach to the treatment of cardiovascular disorders. It will examine a range of issues – who would most benefit from this approach, its value for money, the relative importance of health care services to consumers, and where to invest additional health funds. Built on strong collaborations between expert researchers in advanced diagnostic techniques, coordinated health care, community health care and health economics, this provides a unique opportunity to benefit millions of Australians.Read moreRead less
Molecular Mechanisms Of Cardiac Function And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$8,213,642.00
Summary
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in our society. Almost two million Australians suffer from the debilitating effects of heart disease and it is the leading cause of premature permanent disability in our workers. Heart defects are also the most common type of birth defect and the leading cause of deaths in infants dying from birth defects. Many of these problems can be attributed directly to defects in the development, repair and-or function of heart muscle and, at the cellular le ....Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in our society. Almost two million Australians suffer from the debilitating effects of heart disease and it is the leading cause of premature permanent disability in our workers. Heart defects are also the most common type of birth defect and the leading cause of deaths in infants dying from birth defects. Many of these problems can be attributed directly to defects in the development, repair and-or function of heart muscle and, at the cellular level, of heart muscle cells or cardiomyocytes. Understanding the cardiomyocyte as well as integrated heart development, biology, physiology and function, therefore, holds great promise for major advances in the prevention and treatment of contemporary heart diseases. This Program Grant brings together a unique team of interactive researchers with expertise in cardiovascular physiology, as well as developmental, cellular and molecular biology. The outcomes anticipated from new insights into heart biology that will result from the proposed studies, are the development of novel therapeutic approaches for the prevention and treatment of heart attacks and heart failure.Read moreRead less