Tapasin And Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I Antigen Presentation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$226,650.00
Summary
An effective T cell response (cellular immune response) to infections is vital to a functional immune system. Normally, proteins are cleaved into small molecules called peptides and these peptides are in turn presented by Major Histocompatibility Complex molecules to T cells. However, we have only partial understanding of what determines the choice of peptides that are finally presented to T cells. Recent research suggests that a molecule called tapasin may also influence the choice of peptides. ....An effective T cell response (cellular immune response) to infections is vital to a functional immune system. Normally, proteins are cleaved into small molecules called peptides and these peptides are in turn presented by Major Histocompatibility Complex molecules to T cells. However, we have only partial understanding of what determines the choice of peptides that are finally presented to T cells. Recent research suggests that a molecule called tapasin may also influence the choice of peptides. This research proposal aims to examine the role of tapasin in this regard. A thorough understanding of the basic principles of peptide presentation to T cells is crucial to the design of effective vaccines. Furthermore it will also broaden our understanding of immunological responses to cancer, autoimmune diseases and infections.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160101178
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$344,324.00
Summary
Water Harvesting and the Cultural Politics of Resource Equity. This project aims to provide a new framework for understanding water equity challenges in urban South Asia. Equitable water access is an everyday struggle in this region. For example, in New Delhi, millions suffer from inadequate supplies, while the wealthy enjoy more than their share. The project plans to investigate how people respond to water stress by adopting techniques such as water harvesting. It also plans to examine the degr ....Water Harvesting and the Cultural Politics of Resource Equity. This project aims to provide a new framework for understanding water equity challenges in urban South Asia. Equitable water access is an everyday struggle in this region. For example, in New Delhi, millions suffer from inadequate supplies, while the wealthy enjoy more than their share. The project plans to investigate how people respond to water stress by adopting techniques such as water harvesting. It also plans to examine the degree to which water harvesting leads to social inclusion or exclusion. Through ethnographic examinations of the water values, resource subjectivities and power dynamics that influence the success of urban water harvesting, the projects intends to gain insights to improve regional water policy and aid effectiveness.Read moreRead less
Central pathways regulating visceral pain. This project aims to investigate the neural pathways within the spinal cord and brain processing colorectal pain perception. The project aims to identify the spinal cord neurons relaying colorectal signalling into the brain and the influence of descending modulation from the brainstem upon these pathways. The outcomes will greatly benefit fundamental understanding of the central pathways processing visceral pain.
The Kids in Communities Study: national investigation of community level effects on children's developmental outcomes. This project (a cross-disciplinary collaboration) will investigate community level factors influencing early childhood developmental outcomes using a mixed methods approach in up to 10 communities across Australia. This will result in a potential set of measures or indicators that reflect communities that are good for children.
Creating better pathways into civic participation for young homeless people through sustainable accommodation and support program models. A sustained independent living environment is a significant contributor to health and well being. This project will offer new insights into how young homeless people use and experience supported accommodation and programs. It will recommend practical models for policy development, practice and service delivery.
Plasticity of gastrointestinal vagal afferents. The aim of this project is to identify how leptin modulates specific subtypes of vagal afferent within the gut and the plasticity of this system under different dietary conditions. This proposed project will substantially increase understanding of the interactions between leptin, known to influence food intake, and vagal afferent satiety signals. It will also increase understanding of how these interactions alter in obesity and ultimately provide t ....Plasticity of gastrointestinal vagal afferents. The aim of this project is to identify how leptin modulates specific subtypes of vagal afferent within the gut and the plasticity of this system under different dietary conditions. This proposed project will substantially increase understanding of the interactions between leptin, known to influence food intake, and vagal afferent satiety signals. It will also increase understanding of how these interactions alter in obesity and ultimately provide targets and/or concepts for the pharmacotherapy of obesity.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE150100037
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$170,000.00
Summary
Laser microdissection facility. Laser microdissection facility: Laser microdissection (LMD) is a proven and effective approach to isolate pure cell populations from heterogeneous tissue samples in order to analyse DNA, RNA, and protein content. LMD provides an important advantage to research engaged in basic biological research as it allows for molecular profiling at the cellular level that can not be achieved from whole tissue samples. This project will provide a LMD facility aimed at understan ....Laser microdissection facility. Laser microdissection facility: Laser microdissection (LMD) is a proven and effective approach to isolate pure cell populations from heterogeneous tissue samples in order to analyse DNA, RNA, and protein content. LMD provides an important advantage to research engaged in basic biological research as it allows for molecular profiling at the cellular level that can not be achieved from whole tissue samples. This project will provide a LMD facility aimed at understanding many important biologically cellular mechanisms.Read moreRead less
Ultradian rhythms in basal metabolism; relationship to thermoregulation, cardiovascular function and behavioural arousal. Results from this project will be of basic theoretical biological importance, and may well provide a foundation for understanding basal metabolic regulation and its link with cardiovascular function. Our findings may provide a new foundation for discovering strategies that alter basal metabolic rate in a manner that improves health and reduces the incidence of obesity related ....Ultradian rhythms in basal metabolism; relationship to thermoregulation, cardiovascular function and behavioural arousal. Results from this project will be of basic theoretical biological importance, and may well provide a foundation for understanding basal metabolic regulation and its link with cardiovascular function. Our findings may provide a new foundation for discovering strategies that alter basal metabolic rate in a manner that improves health and reduces the incidence of obesity related disease such as heart attack and stroke. Thus this research proposal is of special relevance to National Research Priority 2: Promoting and Maintaining Good Health. Obesity and obesity-related medical conditions particularly affect older people, so that our research is also highly relevant to National Research Priority 2 sub-areas: Ageing well, Ageing productively.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130100223
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Characterisation of visceral afferent spinal cord pathways. Sensory nerves in the gut wall are key mediators of chronic visceral pain. This project will characterise how sensory nerves supplying the bowel connect to the spinal cord and the spinal circuits mediating pain perception, providing information to identify sensory pathways underlying visceral pain.