The Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC) invites you to participate in a short survey about your
interaction with the ARDC and use of our national research infrastructure and services. The survey will take
approximately 5 minutes and is anonymous. It’s open to anyone who uses our digital research infrastructure
services including Reasearch Link Australia.
We will use the information you provide to improve the national research infrastructure and services we
deliver and to report on user satisfaction to the Australian Government’s National Collaborative Research
Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) program.
Please take a few minutes to provide your input. The survey closes COB Friday 29 May 2026.
Complete the 5 min survey now by clicking on the link below.
Molecular Markers Of The Progression Of Intestinal Metaplasia To Gastric Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$556,618.00
Summary
Gastric cancer (GC) is the second most common cause of cancer-related death globally. It is a surgically treatable disease that has good prognosis if detected at an early stage. The majority of patients in our community are detected at a late stage, where less than 20% of patients survive 5 years. The majority of GC is preceded by distinct histological stages that follow a progression from gastric mucosal inflammation, intestinal metaplasia (IM) and eventually cancer. These stages are characteri ....Gastric cancer (GC) is the second most common cause of cancer-related death globally. It is a surgically treatable disease that has good prognosis if detected at an early stage. The majority of patients in our community are detected at a late stage, where less than 20% of patients survive 5 years. The majority of GC is preceded by distinct histological stages that follow a progression from gastric mucosal inflammation, intestinal metaplasia (IM) and eventually cancer. These stages are characterised by genetic events that are largely unknown and occur over a period that can take years. It is also evident, especially in countries where GC is not as prevalent, that only a proportion of individuals will eventually develop GC. The long latency from the develpoment of IM and diagnosis of GC offers an opportunity to intervene and study the changes that lead to GC as well as find genes that may predict which individuals will progress. IM is the stage in which intervention is obvious. It is very easily diagnosed, is present for a long time and, for certain individuals, will eventually accumulate enough genetic events that will mandate progression to GC. Targeted screening of these individuals will enable a feasible strategy to find early GC, and avoid costly non-targeted screening. This proposal seeks to find key genetic events responsible for the transition of IM to GC. The first step utilises Affymetrix arrays to detect genes expressed in IM and specifically linked to GC. These candidates will be validated and used to study their role in the progression to GC using a mouse model of GC. This study is designed to find genes responsible for GC that can be used as: 1) a marker of progression in humans that will be used as a tool to stratify individuals into a screening protocol; 2) candidates to be tested in animal studies to study the pathogenesis of GC and potentially used as preventative or therapeutic targets.Read moreRead less
Liver Injury And Iron Homeostasis In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,370.00
Summary
Iron disorders and liver disease are a significant burden on society, affecting many in the prime of their life. Disordered iron metabolism also plays a significant role in many disorders and diseases including cancers, neurodegenerative and iron overload disorders, and anaemia associated with chronic disease. My objective is to understand the molecules and mechanisms involved, and to develop strategies and reagents to diagnose, prevent and treat liver and iron-related disease.
Appendicitis, Protection Again Colitis And The Role Of Colonic Regulatory T Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$67,381.00
Summary
The appendix has been regarded as a useless organ, however, there are evidence showing its removal reduces the risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease. We have shown that this may be due to altered intestinal immune regulation. The project plans to explore the mechanisms responsible for this altered immune regulation. With knowledge of specific elements of disease causation gained from these studies, more effective and targeted treatment options will become available.
Understanding The Role Of PI 3-kinase Mutations In Gastrointestinal Tumourigenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$283,880.00
Summary
Mutations in the PIK3CA gene are frequently found in bowel cancers but it remains unclear exactly how these mutations are involved in cancer development. We will exploit a unique mouse model to explore the role of PIK3CA mutations in the initiation, progression and-or metastasis of gastrointestinal cancers. This work will provide critical new insights into the biology of PIK3CA mutations and lead to the development of better models for the testing of new anti-cancer therapies.
Defining how serotonin regulates gut motility. This project aims to deepen knowledge of gastrointestinal physiology, and reveal the mechanisms by which the major gastrointestinal signalling molecule, serotonin, regulates gut peristalsis. Almost all of the serotonin in our body is made in the gastrointestinal tract where it controls many functions, including how our gut wall contracts during peristalsis. Proper control of gut peristalsis and the transit of material through our bowel is important ....Defining how serotonin regulates gut motility. This project aims to deepen knowledge of gastrointestinal physiology, and reveal the mechanisms by which the major gastrointestinal signalling molecule, serotonin, regulates gut peristalsis. Almost all of the serotonin in our body is made in the gastrointestinal tract where it controls many functions, including how our gut wall contracts during peristalsis. Proper control of gut peristalsis and the transit of material through our bowel is important for our health. This project expects to define how serotonin controls peristalsis, where in the bowel this serotonin comes from, how serotonin communicates with the nervous system in our gastrointestinal tract, and how the cells that synthesise gut serotonin respond to contraction to trigger the secretion of serotonin.Read moreRead less
Role Of A Nuclear Receptor Coregulator In Colorectal Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$623,152.00
Summary
Colorectal cancer is a major burden to society. We have identified a protein called SLIRP that is altered in colorectal cancer, and this project will investigate how SLIRP regulates growth of these cancer cells. We envisage that the results of this project will lead to new ways to reduce colorectal cancer cell growth, and potentially a new marker to help in diagnostic and treatment decisions.
Too little or too much of the essential element iron is the cause of some of the most common disorders affecting humans. These include iron overload, anaemia, and anaemia of chronic disease. This project examines the genes and the roles they play in regulating iron levels in the body, and the consequences to the individuals when they are mutated. Ultimately I intend to develop therapeutics and diagnostics which will help early diagnosis and effective treatment of these disorders.
Delineating The Relationship Between Iron And Peroxisomal Disorders: The Role Of The Peroxisomal Enzyme GNPAT In Iron-Overload Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$700,767.00
Summary
Hereditary haemochromatosis is one of the most common genetic disorders in humans, affecting 1 in 200 Australians. We have identified a change in a peroxisomal gene which may affect iron levels in humans. The prevalence of this gene change in Australian haemochromatosis patients will be examined followed by a systematic analysis of how this protein controls iron levels in the body. Our goal is to identify and diagnose genetic changes which influence iron loading in haemochromatosis patients.
Clinical And Microbiological Predictors Of Post-operative Crohn's Disease Recurrence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$120,253.00
Summary
The multi-centre randomised controlled POCER (Post-Operative Crohn’s Disease Recurrence) trial has shown that following “curative” surgery, the anti-tumour necrosis factor drug adalimumab prevents recurrent disease in almost all patients. I will examine the multiple factors that contribute to disease recurrence including assessment of mucosal microbiota, faecal biomarkers and serological antibody markers in patients with Crohn's disease. Results will improve clinical outcomes and change internat ....The multi-centre randomised controlled POCER (Post-Operative Crohn’s Disease Recurrence) trial has shown that following “curative” surgery, the anti-tumour necrosis factor drug adalimumab prevents recurrent disease in almost all patients. I will examine the multiple factors that contribute to disease recurrence including assessment of mucosal microbiota, faecal biomarkers and serological antibody markers in patients with Crohn's disease. Results will improve clinical outcomes and change international practice.Read moreRead less
Clinical And Microbiological Studies Of Faecal Microbiota Transplantation In Ulcerative Colitis - A Phase II, Multicentre, Randomised Double Blind, Exploratory Proof Of Concept, Placebo Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$140,949.00
Summary
Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the large bowel. It is the result of a dysfunctional immune system that inappropriately targets and damages the colon. There is increasing evidence that gut bacteria play a crucial role in UC, possibly by stimulating inappropriate activation of immune cells. We believe that by "transplanting" the faeces (and thus gut microbes) of healthy individuals into the colon of UC patients, we may change the bacterial make up and correct ....Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the large bowel. It is the result of a dysfunctional immune system that inappropriately targets and damages the colon. There is increasing evidence that gut bacteria play a crucial role in UC, possibly by stimulating inappropriate activation of immune cells. We believe that by "transplanting" the faeces (and thus gut microbes) of healthy individuals into the colon of UC patients, we may change the bacterial make up and correct the inappropriate immune system activation.Read moreRead less