Centre For Research Excellence In Prostate Cancer Survivorship (CRE-PCS)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,498,842.00
Summary
The Centre for Research Excellence in Prostate Cancer Survivorship will 1) develop, evaluate and translate responsive, equitable and accessible survivorship interventions for men with prostate cancer and their partners and families in high need areas 2) support evidence-based policy and practice in prostate cancer survivorship care 3) train and equip the workforce and its leaders to ensure translation and sustainably improve the underpinning health care and other relevant systems.
The Tasmanian Healthy Brain Project: A Longitudinal Intervention Study To Reduce The Risk Of Ageing-related Cognitive Decline And Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$878,792.00
Summary
It has been proposed that engagement in purposeful complex mental stimulation provides protection against dementia. The Tasmanian Healthy Brain Project (THBP) is a unique, large-scale prospective trial that examines whether university-level study in older adult population reduces ageing-related cognitive decline and risk of dementia. This project will also examine how an individual’s genetic profile may influence the potential benefits of complex mental stimulation as well as risk of dementia.
Estrogen signalling in gonadotropes. Estrogen action is a normal prerequisite for cyclic function of reproduction in the female, but little is known about how this important hormone acts in the relevant cells of the pituitary gland (gonadotropes). In order to gain information on normal function, we will conduct studies on gonadotropes treated with estrogen in a range of paradigms. The information will be valuable in understanding normal reproduction, but will also form the basis of further studi ....Estrogen signalling in gonadotropes. Estrogen action is a normal prerequisite for cyclic function of reproduction in the female, but little is known about how this important hormone acts in the relevant cells of the pituitary gland (gonadotropes). In order to gain information on normal function, we will conduct studies on gonadotropes treated with estrogen in a range of paradigms. The information will be valuable in understanding normal reproduction, but will also form the basis of further studies to investigate the effects of drugs that affect estrogen action and environmental estrogens. Read moreRead less
Evolution of nervous system patterning processes: characterisation of homologs of key Drosophila regulatory genes from the coral Acropora. Defining the common mechanisms of nervous system development is one of the major goals of modern biology, but is presently being addressed largely by comparisons between a few very advanced (and therefore specialised) animals. Comparative data from a lower animal is urgently needed, and will clarify many aspects of nervous system evolution and development. Th ....Evolution of nervous system patterning processes: characterisation of homologs of key Drosophila regulatory genes from the coral Acropora. Defining the common mechanisms of nervous system development is one of the major goals of modern biology, but is presently being addressed largely by comparisons between a few very advanced (and therefore specialised) animals. Comparative data from a lower animal is urgently needed, and will clarify many aspects of nervous system evolution and development. The pioneering work carried out on Acropora in this laboratory suggests that it is perhaps the best choice currently available for this purpose. This project will use Acropora to address fundamental questions about the evolution of nervous system developmental processes.Read moreRead less
Sustaining neuronal communication through bulk endocytosis. Brain activities such as learning and memory rely on the ability of neurons to communicate. This research will improve our understanding of how synaptic vesicles recycle during periods of intense synaptic activity. This is a fundamental process relevant to neuronal communication, insulin release, hormone secretion, and allergic responses in health and disease and therefore has broad significance. This work will enhance Australia's exist ....Sustaining neuronal communication through bulk endocytosis. Brain activities such as learning and memory rely on the ability of neurons to communicate. This research will improve our understanding of how synaptic vesicles recycle during periods of intense synaptic activity. This is a fundamental process relevant to neuronal communication, insulin release, hormone secretion, and allergic responses in health and disease and therefore has broad significance. This work will enhance Australia's existing strength in cell biology and neuroscience and provide high quality training for an undergraduate student and post-doctoral scientist.Read moreRead less
Depression and Diabetes: Prevalence, diagnosis and help-seeking: Influence on depression, glycemic control and quality of life. Depression has been reported to be twice as prevalent and more persistent in individuals with diabetes than in the general population. The current research will investigate the point-prevalence of depression in a large sample of Australian diabetic outpatients using a case-finding instrument (CES-D) and follow-up structured clinical interview where appropriate. Demogr ....Depression and Diabetes: Prevalence, diagnosis and help-seeking: Influence on depression, glycemic control and quality of life. Depression has been reported to be twice as prevalent and more persistent in individuals with diabetes than in the general population. The current research will investigate the point-prevalence of depression in a large sample of Australian diabetic outpatients using a case-finding instrument (CES-D) and follow-up structured clinical interview where appropriate. Demographic, medical, and psychological correlates of depressiono will be investigated. The effects of the screening procedure and diagnosis on help-seeking behaviour, course of the depression, self-care, and glycemic control as well as qualtiy of life will be evaluated after six months.Read moreRead less
The function of menin in mammalian development. This project aims to determine the role of a ubiquitous transcriptional co-regulator, menin, in mammalian development. Mice that lack menin through targeted deletion of the gene die during embryogenesis, but the cause is unknown, although is likely to be due to the abnormal expression of genes usually regulated by this factor. We will determine which genes are inappropriately expressed and responsible for the accompanying developmental defects. Thi ....The function of menin in mammalian development. This project aims to determine the role of a ubiquitous transcriptional co-regulator, menin, in mammalian development. Mice that lack menin through targeted deletion of the gene die during embryogenesis, but the cause is unknown, although is likely to be due to the abnormal expression of genes usually regulated by this factor. We will determine which genes are inappropriately expressed and responsible for the accompanying developmental defects. This knowledge will help us understand the process of development in mammals, including birth defects in humans.Read moreRead less
Understanding and regulating autoimmune disease through the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kappaB) family transcription factor, v-rel reticuloendotheliosis viral oncogene homolog B (RelB). This program is well-aligned with the national research priority: Promoting and Maintaining Good Health. The disabling conditions rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes affect over 1% of Australia's population. They are incurable, so disability and the need for treatment p ....Understanding and regulating autoimmune disease through the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kappaB) family transcription factor, v-rel reticuloendotheliosis viral oncogene homolog B (RelB). This program is well-aligned with the national research priority: Promoting and Maintaining Good Health. The disabling conditions rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes affect over 1% of Australia's population. They are incurable, so disability and the need for treatment persist into old age and life expectancy is reduced. The program focuses on more effective and safer treatment, and future disease prevention, with immune therapy. This will have social and economic benefits to Australia. The research will advance Australia's intellectual leadership in Immunology, providing research training and career opportunities, and will lead to strong collaborations between basic scientists, clinicians and industry.Read moreRead less
Mapping and defining inter-organ cross talk during exercise. This project aims to examine precisely how organs communicate and interact. These interactions are particularly important during exercise, when continued movement demands intricate organ communication, and have major ramifications for the whole organism as it ages. Precisely how this communication takes place is unclear, but we now know that the movement of cargo with extracellular vesicles (EVs) plays an integral role in organ to orga ....Mapping and defining inter-organ cross talk during exercise. This project aims to examine precisely how organs communicate and interact. These interactions are particularly important during exercise, when continued movement demands intricate organ communication, and have major ramifications for the whole organism as it ages. Precisely how this communication takes place is unclear, but we now know that the movement of cargo with extracellular vesicles (EVs) plays an integral role in organ to organ communication. This project expects to build upon unprecedented recent developments we have made in the biology of inter-organ communication via EVs. The expected outcomes will have broad impact across life science and biotechnology.Read moreRead less
Role of 3'-phosphorylated phosphoinositides in neurosecretion. Neurons communicate through the release of neurotransmitter by synaptic vesicles. Minute changes underlie normal processes such as memory and modifications of neurotransmitter level contribute to a number of neurological diseases. I am interested in deciphering the role of phosphoinositides, an inner membrane-based lipid, during steps leading to the fusion of a synaptic vesicle with the plasma membrane. I have recently discovered tha ....Role of 3'-phosphorylated phosphoinositides in neurosecretion. Neurons communicate through the release of neurotransmitter by synaptic vesicles. Minute changes underlie normal processes such as memory and modifications of neurotransmitter level contribute to a number of neurological diseases. I am interested in deciphering the role of phosphoinositides, an inner membrane-based lipid, during steps leading to the fusion of a synaptic vesicle with the plasma membrane. I have recently discovered that phosphatidylinositol-3 phosphate production was critical for the vesicle to acquire the competence to fuse with the plasma membrane. This project aim to understand by which mechanism this lipid interacts with the release machinery to promote such priming step.Read moreRead less