Understanding the vesicle release mechanisms that regulate peripheral serotonin levels. The purpose of this project is to understand how serotonin is released into the circulation from specialised cells within the gut. As circulating serotonin controls multiple biological systems within the gut and throughout the body, the outcomes of this project will further understandings of the systems controlling essential bodily functions.
Effect Of Sex Steroids, Inflammation, Environmental And Biopsychosocial Factors On Cardiometabolic Disease Risk In Men
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,817,271.00
Summary
Heart disease is more frequent and occurs at an earlier age in men than women. The reason is unknown. Apart from obesity and associated disturbances of metabolism, changes in sex hormones such as testosterone, together with the effects of inflammation may be important, and may in turn be affected by environment, lifestyle behaviours, and stress. To untangle these relationships, we will use cutting edge technology, in a large sample of men, in partnership with other international scientists.
Size matters, but at what cost? Role of male sex hormones in the placenta. This project aims to understand molecular pathways regulated by male sex hormones in the placenta that may contribute to sex-specific fetal growth and survival outcomes in response to reduced oxygen and/or glucose. Through this project, we expect to generate new knowledge of the mechanisms that drive sex-specific placental molecular function using interdisciplinary approaches. The application of this advanced understandin ....Size matters, but at what cost? Role of male sex hormones in the placenta. This project aims to understand molecular pathways regulated by male sex hormones in the placenta that may contribute to sex-specific fetal growth and survival outcomes in response to reduced oxygen and/or glucose. Through this project, we expect to generate new knowledge of the mechanisms that drive sex-specific placental molecular function using interdisciplinary approaches. The application of this advanced understanding of the sex-specific regulation of placental molecular function and fetal growth may be targeted in future studies to improve fetal growth outcomes in placental mammals such as livestock, domestic pets, and humans.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0883078
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$356,000.00
Summary
Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry Steroid Analysis Facility. This first of a new generation of ultra-sensitive analytical mass spectrometers for small molecules will be established as a national assay facility allowing all Australian researchers open access to a new dimension of highly accurate and simultaneous measurements of multiple bodily chemicals such as steroids, vitamins and hormones. It is crucial to developing new knowledge in basic, developmental and pathological cell bio ....Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry Steroid Analysis Facility. This first of a new generation of ultra-sensitive analytical mass spectrometers for small molecules will be established as a national assay facility allowing all Australian researchers open access to a new dimension of highly accurate and simultaneous measurements of multiple bodily chemicals such as steroids, vitamins and hormones. It is crucial to developing new knowledge in basic, developmental and pathological cell biology and for underpinning commercial developments of new molecular targets for therapeutic drugs for many diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease and reproductive disorders. This facility is pivotal to maintaining international competitiveness in many areas of biological research in national priority areas.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220100403
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$468,582.00
Summary
Defining how gut bacteria regulate metabolism: a role for gut serotonin. This project aims to understand how serotonin-producing cells in the gut interact with gut bacteria (the microbiome), using a combination of cells in culture and live germ-free and genetically modified mice. This project expects to generate new knowledge regarding cellular interactions that underlie important physiological pathways, such as the control of blood glucose and fat storage. The intended outcomes of this project ....Defining how gut bacteria regulate metabolism: a role for gut serotonin. This project aims to understand how serotonin-producing cells in the gut interact with gut bacteria (the microbiome), using a combination of cells in culture and live germ-free and genetically modified mice. This project expects to generate new knowledge regarding cellular interactions that underlie important physiological pathways, such as the control of blood glucose and fat storage. The intended outcomes of this project are to identify how gut bacteria communicate with serotonin-producing cells to regulate metabolism, and whether diet acts via a gut microbiome-serotonin axis to impact physiology. The expected benefit of this project will be to provide a new understanding of highly complex physiological systems that regulate our health.Read moreRead less
Effects Of The Fatty Acid, Lauric Acid, On Energy Intake And Gut Motor And Hormonal Function In Health And Obesity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$744,645.00
Summary
Obesity is largely due to energy intake exceeding energy expenditure, thus, strategies that reduce energy intake will result in weight loss. We discovered recently that the fatty acid, lauric acid, markedly reduces energy intake. Our studies will determine the effects of lauric acid on energy intake and body weight reduction in obese subjects. The research is a new initiative and explores the potential of lauric acid as a novel, nutrient-based and side-effect free approach to obesity management.
Innovative Approaches for Defining the Interaction of Insulin like Growth Factor I (IGF I) with the Type 1 IGF Receptor. This study will improve our understanding of the interactions of Insulin-like Growth Factors (IGFs) with their principal receptor, the IGF-1R. A sound understanding of these interactions is essential for the development of non-peptide IGF antagonists designed for therapeutic applications. Such molecules could lead to new therapeutic approaches for diseases in which dysregul ....Innovative Approaches for Defining the Interaction of Insulin like Growth Factor I (IGF I) with the Type 1 IGF Receptor. This study will improve our understanding of the interactions of Insulin-like Growth Factors (IGFs) with their principal receptor, the IGF-1R. A sound understanding of these interactions is essential for the development of non-peptide IGF antagonists designed for therapeutic applications. Such molecules could lead to new therapeutic approaches for diseases in which dysregulation of the IGF system has been implicated including cancer, diabetes and atherosclerosis.
Since IGFs are major determinants of growth, the outcomes of this project could also lead to improvements in animal production with major benefit to primary industry. New IGF analogues developed could assist biotechnology exports.
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Non-classical steroid signalling through SF-1 responsive genes: a key mechanism in environmental endocrine disruption, cancer, and aging. Endocrine disruption by pervasive manmade chemicals, which mimic natural hormones, and are found in plastics, cosmetics, and fire retardants, is known to cause developmental defects in model organisms and wildlife, with substantial risk also to human health. This risk increases with increasing population density and dependence on water recycling. Current tests ....Non-classical steroid signalling through SF-1 responsive genes: a key mechanism in environmental endocrine disruption, cancer, and aging. Endocrine disruption by pervasive manmade chemicals, which mimic natural hormones, and are found in plastics, cosmetics, and fire retardants, is known to cause developmental defects in model organisms and wildlife, with substantial risk also to human health. This risk increases with increasing population density and dependence on water recycling. Current tests to assess such substances use oversimplified modes of hormone action and grossly underestimate the risk of endocrine disruption. This proposal will yield new knowledge about how such substances act in the body, or on wildlife, and form the basis for new more sensitive methods of environmental monitoring.Read moreRead less
Molecular dynamics of steroid receptor crosstalk. This project uses state-of-the-art technology to show how steroids (for example, testosterone) affect many aspects of human life, and how these can be disrupted by chemicals and synthetic hormones. The results can be used to interpret disease, predict safety of new drugs, and to monitor risk to humans and wildlife of environmental chemicals.