Acid Resistance Mechanisms Of Helicobacter Pylori And Their Impact On Gastric Colonisation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$287,036.00
Summary
The gastric bacterium, Helicobacter pylori, infects more than half the population of the globe. H. pylori may cause either no symptomatic disease, induce peptic ulcers or be responsible for one of the major killing cancers, gastric cancer. Millions die or suffer from this infection each year. Yet we are remarkably ignorant of why the infection causes these different patterns of disease. This project aims to provide evidence to show that the very mechanism the bacterium has acquired to help it re ....The gastric bacterium, Helicobacter pylori, infects more than half the population of the globe. H. pylori may cause either no symptomatic disease, induce peptic ulcers or be responsible for one of the major killing cancers, gastric cancer. Millions die or suffer from this infection each year. Yet we are remarkably ignorant of why the infection causes these different patterns of disease. This project aims to provide evidence to show that the very mechanism the bacterium has acquired to help it resist stomach acid and so live in the stomach, is responsible for these differences. I.e. The organism lives in different parts of the stomach due to differences in local acid at that site. If the acid in a particular part of the stomach is too high, the acid resistance mechanism cannot cope. If the acid is too low, the organism also cannot grow well. Because the bacterium has evolved to only thrive in a relatively narrow range of acid, it will behave very differently in these different parts of the stomach. This results in different diseases. Various populations in different countries of the world have different levels of acid production and this also explains why in some countries duodenal ulcers predominate and in others gastric ulcer- gastric cancer is the norm. Showing why H. pylori lives where it lives will provide fundamental information relevant to understanding some of the world s major diseases and will also provides insights relevant to the design of new therapeutic approaches.Read moreRead less
Understanding The Relationship Of Incretin Hormones, Gastric Emptying And Reactive Hypoglycaemia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$132,743.00
Summary
Low blood glucose levels following a meal occur frequently in otherwise healthy people and those who have had surgery for weight loss. It affects quality of life adversely and current management is unsatisfactory. The proposed studies will use sophisticated techniques to evaluate the roles of the rate of stomach emptying and the so-called 'incretin' hormones which stimulate the release of insulin after a meal. The outcomes will have major implications for more rational management.
Establishment Of A Biomarker To Test Molecular Risk Of Gastric Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$834,448.00
Summary
Less than 20% of patients live 5 years after a diagnosis of gastric cancer (GC). This is due to the advanced stage at the time of diagnosis. We have no markers to monitor therapy of cancer. This proposal aims to use next generation sequencing to find specific genetic changes in a persons tumour that can be used to monitor therapy. We aim to use the same technology to group patients into high-risk or low risk for development of GC. This will allow specific screening only for those at high-risk.
Structural Basis For Helicobacter Pylori Adhesion To Host Epithelial Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$665,328.00
Summary
The aim of this grant is to understand how the bacteria that cause gastric cancer and ulcers interact with the cells that line the stomach. This information will be used to develop new treatments to combat disease.