Profiling Global Inflammatory Signatures For GPCRs In Human Macrophages
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$687,770.00
Summary
Macrophages are important white blood cells of the immune system. They trigger inflammatory responses to infection or injury, but prolonged inflammatory responses can lead to chronic diseases. In this project we aim to better understand how macrophages sense the outside environment, how external signals trigger inflammatory processes, how this leads to diseases such as autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, cancer and cardiovascular diseases, and how to control them with drugs.
Immune Correlates Of Early Corticosteroid Therapy In Vietnamese Children And Young Adults With Dengue
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$467,073.00
Summary
Dengue is a globally important infectious disease. This study will seek to understand how corticosteroids, an immune modulating class of drug, effect the immune responses in children with dengue. The basis for this study is a randomised controlled trial at a large hospital in Viet Nam that treats many patients with dengue. We expect to obtain the laboratory evidence needed to support further clinical trials of this drug and in doing so we will improve our understanding of dengue.
Towards Adequate National Provision Of Genomic Testing In Pregnancy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$515,493.00
Summary
Genomic information about unborn children can now be provided using chromosomal microarrays which have the potential to revolutionize maternal care in Australia, but are currently only used in high risk pregnancies. Soon all pregnant women, the vast majority who currently have prenatal screening, will be able to access this and other genomic technologies. We will examine the psychological impact of fetal genomic testing and, in doing so, assess the need for service planning, as well as potential ....Genomic information about unborn children can now be provided using chromosomal microarrays which have the potential to revolutionize maternal care in Australia, but are currently only used in high risk pregnancies. Soon all pregnant women, the vast majority who currently have prenatal screening, will be able to access this and other genomic technologies. We will examine the psychological impact of fetal genomic testing and, in doing so, assess the need for service planning, as well as potential legal and policy changes in Australia.Read moreRead less
Var Gene Diversity And Naturally Acquired Immunity To Malaria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$410,664.00
Summary
In areas where malaria is common, people develop natural immunity to the disease albeit very slowly due to the many parasite strains that circulate. The project will use protein microarrays to investigate the patterns by which antibodies are acquired to the majority of strains. This will reveal how antibodies are acquired with age and which are associated with protection against malaria symptoms. The research aims to identify biomarkers of malaria immunity and may lead to new vaccine candidates.
Regulation Of The Placental Renin-angiotensin System By MicroRNAs; Implications For Pregnancies Complicated By Placental Insufficiency?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$483,058.00
Summary
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and preeclampsia (PrE) are life threatening to mother and baby, making the baby susceptible to disease as an adult. One of the major causes of PreE and IUGR is placentation. Placentation is affected by the placental renin-angiotensin system (RAS), which is controlled by microRNAs. We will describe these microRNAs, what controls them; determine their expression and RAS expression in normal pregnancy, IUGR and PrE, thus providing novel biomarkers for their ea ....Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and preeclampsia (PrE) are life threatening to mother and baby, making the baby susceptible to disease as an adult. One of the major causes of PreE and IUGR is placentation. Placentation is affected by the placental renin-angiotensin system (RAS), which is controlled by microRNAs. We will describe these microRNAs, what controls them; determine their expression and RAS expression in normal pregnancy, IUGR and PrE, thus providing novel biomarkers for their early detection.Read moreRead less
In the study of common disease, it is becoming apparent that it is not only an individual's DNA sequence that can encode susceptibility to disease, but also chemical modifications to that sequence. Despite the importance of these chemical modifications in the development of disease, there has been no comprehensive survey of the extent which they are transmitted across generations in humans. This proposal will investigate how one of those modifications, DNA methylation, is inherited.
The NF-kB Transcription Factors C-Rel And RelA Control Multiple Steps In Natural CD4 Regulatory T Cell Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$566,592.00
Summary
An unfortunate consequence of immune function is that occasionally rogue immune cells are produced that attack the host and lead to the development of so-called autoimmune diseases such as arthritis. Normally a white blood cell called a regulatory T cell suppresses these self-reactive immune cells. We have identified factors that govern the generation of regulatory T cells. Understanding how these factors work should permit the development of new strategies to combat autoimmune diseases. ?
The Role Of UPF3B And Nonsense Mediated MRNA Decay Surveillance In The Pathology Of Intellectual Disability.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$789,954.00
Summary
Proper functioning of the nonsense mediated mRNA decay (NMD or 'mRNA police') is crucial for any cell to ensure normal development and function. When NMD is compromised the outcome is learning and memory problems, autism or schizophrenia. Under this project we study malfunctioning NMD using stem and neuronal cells derived from patients' skin cells. Some of the affected genes might be considered for therapeutic interventions. NMD is relevant to 1000s of human disorders and as such it is of fundam ....Proper functioning of the nonsense mediated mRNA decay (NMD or 'mRNA police') is crucial for any cell to ensure normal development and function. When NMD is compromised the outcome is learning and memory problems, autism or schizophrenia. Under this project we study malfunctioning NMD using stem and neuronal cells derived from patients' skin cells. Some of the affected genes might be considered for therapeutic interventions. NMD is relevant to 1000s of human disorders and as such it is of fundamental importance.Read moreRead less
Uncovering New Epigenetic-based Regulatory Mechanisms Of Gene Expression: Novel Links Between Histone Variants, RNA Function And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,053,671.00
Summary
It is estimated that greater than 90% of human genes undergo alternative RNA splicing, which can explain how protein diversity is achieved with a limited number of genes. However, how alternative splicing patterns are established remains poorly understood but is an important question given that 15-50% of human disease mutations are associated with changes to the splicing patterns of RNA. We have uncovered a new splicing mechanism, which involves changing the way DNA is packaged in a cell.
Molecular Control Of Interneuron Development And Function In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$527,828.00
Summary
This project will study the changes that occur in neurons, during normal brain maturation and in pathology. We hypothesise that early signs of brain malfunction can be detected in neurons before symptoms appear. The role of a gene will be studied during development and disease in a mouse model of autism, in order to identify the molecular and electrical signs of abnormal activity. This research will ultimately enable us to propose new strategies to treat symptoms of brain disease.