Unravelling The Mechanism Of MHC Class-I Associated Drug Hypersensitivities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$566,308.00
Summary
Some drugs cause adverse reactions that are life threatening. We think these reactions are mediated by killer T cells as they are genetically controlled by immune response genes that normally guide immunity to microbes. We will study immune reactions to the drug abacavir, used to treat HIV (AIDS); allopurinol used to prevent gout and carbamazepine, used to treat epilepsy. The study may also help devise better treatments for patients who experience severe forms of these reactions.
Sensory strategies for protecting endangered sawfishes. The Gulf of Carpentaria is the last habitat worldwide containing sustainable populations of sawfish. Easily entangled in nets, the saw has reduced population numbers dramatically in Australia with all species now protected under the Australian Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). This study will provide basic biological information on feeding ....Sensory strategies for protecting endangered sawfishes. The Gulf of Carpentaria is the last habitat worldwide containing sustainable populations of sawfish. Easily entangled in nets, the saw has reduced population numbers dramatically in Australia with all species now protected under the Australian Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). This study will provide basic biological information on feeding, prey manipulation and the role of critical senses in the only captive population of sawfishes in Australia. Such knowledge will underpin the development and use of visual, chemical and/or magnetic repellents by fisherman that are still responsible for the loss of large numbers of sawfish as by-catch.Read moreRead less
Optimisation Of Antimicrobial Therapy For Severe Bacterial Infections In Neonates And Young Children In Papua New Guinea
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$943,865.00
Summary
This study aims to provide important information on the way young Papua New Guinean children with serious bacterial infections handle antibiotics, including newer agents that may be required if bacterial resistance is confirmed or increases. The data will be used to optimise treatment, thus reducing mortality and potential adverse drug effects, in PNG nad other tropical countries, and may have implications for the developed world as well.
Seeing without eyes: the evolution of non-visual photoreceptors in vertebrates. Australia's underwater biodiversity is second to none with endemic species representing the earliest stages in vertebrate evolution, many of them relying heavily on vision for survival. Tracing the evolution of light detection and image formation will provide crucial information about the lifestyles of our vertebrate ancestors, the environmental selection pressures driving speciation and colour communication. Charact ....Seeing without eyes: the evolution of non-visual photoreceptors in vertebrates. Australia's underwater biodiversity is second to none with endemic species representing the earliest stages in vertebrate evolution, many of them relying heavily on vision for survival. Tracing the evolution of light detection and image formation will provide crucial information about the lifestyles of our vertebrate ancestors, the environmental selection pressures driving speciation and colour communication. Characterisation of optimal light environments and extra-ocular light detection will also help protect and manage endemic species in wild and captive environments. Read moreRead less
Molecular Pharmacology Of Chemokine Receptor Signalling In Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$371,770.00
Summary
Molecular pharmacology is the study of how hormones, neurotransmitters and pharmaceuticals interact with our cells through receptors, which transfer a signal across the cell membrane to change the function of that cell. Chemokine receptors are recognised to play a role in the development of many cancers. Understanding how these receptors work has enormous implications for improving our ability to develop better anti-cancer treatments with fewer side effects.
DYRK1A As A Novel Target For Glioblastoma Therapies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$620,294.00
Summary
Glioblastoma is a form of brain cancer that is currently incurable. We have discovered that switching-off an enzyme called DYRK1A (using ‘DYRK1A inhibitors’) kills glioblastoma cells. This therapeutic advantage is even greater when combined with drugs approved for other cancers. This project will develop new DYRK1A inhibitors and examine a novel combination treatment for glioblastoma patients. This could initiate a novel therapy that could significantly extend patients’ lives.
Assessing the benefits of closed fishing areas for spawning aggregations and egg production for coral trout. Coral trout is a valuable finfish species that inhabits coral reef systems in Australia. Like most other finfish species, coral trout is managed mainly through catch and size limits. However, closed fishing areas also provide a degree of protection from exploitation. Worldwide, closed fishing areas have been shown to provide larger and more fish within their boundaries. At present, there ....Assessing the benefits of closed fishing areas for spawning aggregations and egg production for coral trout. Coral trout is a valuable finfish species that inhabits coral reef systems in Australia. Like most other finfish species, coral trout is managed mainly through catch and size limits. However, closed fishing areas also provide a degree of protection from exploitation. Worldwide, closed fishing areas have been shown to provide larger and more fish within their boundaries. At present, there are limited empirical data to show that they provide benefits to fish stocks. This project aims to examine whether closed fishing areas provide a benefit to coral trout at the Abrolhos Islands, Western Australia.Read moreRead less
Aquatic eye design: sharks and rays as models of underwater colour and luminance vision. Sharks are usually assumed to be colour blind. We have discovered that they may in fact see colour very well and that the eyes of different species are adapted to their particular lifestyles. Our research will help to raise the profile of sharks and portray them as animals with advanced sensory systems and complex visual behaviours rather than just dangerous killing machines. Studying the vision of sharks m ....Aquatic eye design: sharks and rays as models of underwater colour and luminance vision. Sharks are usually assumed to be colour blind. We have discovered that they may in fact see colour very well and that the eyes of different species are adapted to their particular lifestyles. Our research will help to raise the profile of sharks and portray them as animals with advanced sensory systems and complex visual behaviours rather than just dangerous killing machines. Studying the vision of sharks may also help to reduce the number (currently >50,000) that are killed each year as bycatch by Australian long-line fisheries and make a valuable contribution to one of Australia's National Research Priorities (an Environmentally Sustainable Australia) for managing and conserving our biodiversity.Read moreRead less
Impact Of An Ivermectin Mass Drug Administration Program Against Endemic Scabies And Strongyloidiasis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,289,786.00
Summary
Overseas studies suggest sustainable and long term benefits can be obtained through the use of ivermectin in mass drug administration programs to control parasitic infections. Our study will be a critical first step in establishing if such a program can be successful in a remote Indigenous community setting, where the disease burden from scabies and strongyloidiasis (threadworm infections) is very high.
Preclinical Development Of A Therapeutic Anticancer Antibody To C-Met
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$435,530.00
Summary
Many common cancers cannot be effectively treated. A range of these cancers (e.g. gastric and lung cancer) display the molecule c-Met on their cell surface. c-Met promotes tumour growth; therefore, blocking c-Met is a promising strategy for treating these cancers. However, no antibodies or drugs that target c-Met have been licensed. The therapeutics that are being developed to target c-Met all have considerable limitations. Thus, there is an opportunity to develop a 'best-in-class' therapeutic.