Early Origins, Progression And Aetiology Of Obesity, Metabolic Syndrome And Diabetes: A 30 Years Follow-up Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,194,979.00
Summary
This research proposal aims to use the unique existing Mater University Study of Pregnancy (MUSP) and its offspring data and conduct a 30-year follow-up of MUSP children to investigate the early origins, progression and causal pathways of obesity, metabolic syndrome and diabetes for young Australian. Findings of this study will extend our understanding of the factors driving these health problems with the ultimate aim of being able to reverse the obesity epidemic and improve public health.
Complement C5a Receptors , Placental Inflammation And Reproductive Impairment.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,025,229.00
Summary
We are investigating how mothers may have health difficulties during pregnancy, such as high blood pressure, and how this can affect their fetuses' health. There is emerging evidence that an unhealthy placenta during pregnancy can greatly affect fetal development, and it seems that inflammation in the placenta during pregnancy may be a key factor in reducing fetal growth, resulting in low birth weight infants. Our studies are aimed at developing new treatments for this.
Identification Of Novel Mechanisms Governing Stage-specific Regulation Of The Human Globin Genes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$481,826.00
Summary
Hemoglobin is the major protein in red blood cells and is essential for the transport of oxygen from the lungs to the tissues. The disorders of hemoglobin production are the commonest genetic diseases worldwide. These diseases can be markedly improved with elevation of the form of hemoglobin produced by the developing embryo, fetal hemoglobin. We have identified key factors important for fetal gene expression. Our goal is to translate these findings into therapies for the hemoglobin disorders.
Body Segment Identity Specification By The Transcription Regulator, Moz
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$366,301.00
Summary
One in 28 newborns have birth defects. Cleft palate and aortic arch defects are among the most common, always requiring surgery and often causing lethality. We propose to study a protein, Moz, which is essential for palate and aortic arch development. Moz (Monocytic leukaemia zinc finger protein) was first identified in human chromosomal abnormalities causing particularly aggressive forms of childhood and adult leukaemia. We have shown previously that Moz is essential for the formation of blood ....One in 28 newborns have birth defects. Cleft palate and aortic arch defects are among the most common, always requiring surgery and often causing lethality. We propose to study a protein, Moz, which is essential for palate and aortic arch development. Moz (Monocytic leukaemia zinc finger protein) was first identified in human chromosomal abnormalities causing particularly aggressive forms of childhood and adult leukaemia. We have shown previously that Moz is essential for the formation of blood stem cells. Moz can regulate the activity of genes, but which genes it regulates in vivo is unknown. In the absence of Moz, mice are born with a cleft palate, lack the thymus, where immune cells are instructed, and fail to form the lung blood circulation, so that they are unable to supply their blood with oxygen after birth. Moz deficiency also causes defects of the vertebrate column, such that individual vertebrae acquire the appearance of their neighbours. These symptoms are typical for a general defect in positional information of individual body segments with respect to their location along the body axis. We will investigate the molecular mechanisms that require Moz in patterning of the body axis. This project will characterize a genetic mechanism that is crucial for normal development of the palate, the aorta and the vertebrate column.Read moreRead less
Foetal Determinants Of Sleep Disordered Breathing In Infants
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$174,691.00
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been identified and recorded in infants, however the factors that lead to the development of OSA and its prevalence in infants is unknown. We have recorded OSA in some infants and we demonstrated that the severity of apnea was at its peak at approximately 2 months of age and then resolved by 1 year. We hypothesised that these infants possibly had a maturational delay of breathing control during sleep. This project is designed to examine the development and preva ....Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been identified and recorded in infants, however the factors that lead to the development of OSA and its prevalence in infants is unknown. We have recorded OSA in some infants and we demonstrated that the severity of apnea was at its peak at approximately 2 months of age and then resolved by 1 year. We hypothesised that these infants possibly had a maturational delay of breathing control during sleep. This project is designed to examine the development and prevalence of sleep and breathing disorders in infants. The prenatal factors that possibly influence development of sleep and breathing disorders in infants, in particular, the effects of maternal smoking will be determined. Pregnant women will be recruited for the study during their third trimester. The foetal movements, foetal breathing movements, heart rate and sleep state will be monitored continuously overnight in the patients home between 32 and 36 weeks gestation using a newly developed foetal movement monitor. The infants will be subsequently studied using overnight polysomnography at 2 months of age to assess their breathing, sleep patterns, arousal behaviour, and the presence and severity of central and obstructive apnea. A group from these infants will be selected and studied longitudinally to examine the development of sleep and breathing disorders more closely. These infants will undergo overnight sleep studies during the first week of life, then at 2 and 6 months of age. A detailed medical history will also be collected regarding the pregnancy, the perinatal history of the infant, exposure to cigarette smoke during pregnancy and postnatally, and the medical history of other family members. We will examine the quality and quantity of foetal movements and its association with the development of OSA. The occurrence of sleep and breathing disorders in the infants will be correlated with the foetal behaviour and, the prenatal and postnatal factors.Read moreRead less
What shapes our brain? This project aims to improve our fundamental understanding of the biological mechanisms that drive folding of the cerebral cortex, which occurs during development of the brain. Cortical folding is unique to humans and higher mammals, and is thought to underpin the emergence of intelligence and contribute to higher-order brain functions. This project will enhance knowledge of how the cerebral cortex folds and develop novel tools for analysing brain development. The project ....What shapes our brain? This project aims to improve our fundamental understanding of the biological mechanisms that drive folding of the cerebral cortex, which occurs during development of the brain. Cortical folding is unique to humans and higher mammals, and is thought to underpin the emergence of intelligence and contribute to higher-order brain functions. This project will enhance knowledge of how the cerebral cortex folds and develop novel tools for analysing brain development. The project will provide significant benefits including the generation of fundamental knowledge with implications for future understanding of cortical folding abnormalities in babies born preterm, following fetal growth retardation in utero, or when exposed to maternal alcohol. In the longer term, the project will contribute to improvements to human neurodevelopment and brain health.Read moreRead less