The Role Of A Low Emulsifier Diet To Treat Crohn's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$447,603.00
Summary
Currently, there are no specific diets known to treat Crohn’s disease (CD). Initial lab- and animal-based studies have indicated emulsifiers added to food drive inflammation in CD, but no human trials completed. This study will design and feed high and low emulsifier diets to healthy and CD subjects and measure markers of inflammation. This will establish the role of a low emulsifier diet to treat CD.
Genetic Validation Of Stat3 As A Tractable Pharmacological Target In Gastrointestinal Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$586,964.00
Summary
Cancers of the stomach and the colon are a major health burden. One of the central signaling molecules that drives these cancers is called Stat3. Here we propose to use a novel strain of mice that allows us to experimentally dial down the amount of Stat3 protein and hence to predict how effective a future anti-Stat3 cancer drug will be.
Bacterial pathogens are a major cause of illness and death, producing diseases ranging from acute infections to cancer. However, not all infected individuals will succumb to these pathologies. What factors dictate which individuals develop these diseases is an important complex question. The core focus of my research is the identification and characterisation of novel host factors that are involved in resistance or susceptibility to bacterial-associated diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Regulation Of Cellular Responses To Neuropeptides.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$83,510.00
Summary
Neuropeptides are chemicals released from nerves that are responsible for communication between the nerves, glands, muscles or other nerves. Neuropeptides exert their diverse biological effects by interacting with small structures on the cells they wish to communicate with. These structures bind the neuropeptide and are termed neuropeptide receptors. The responses of tissues to neuropeptides, for example, contraction of muscle, decrease with continued exposure to the neuropeptide. This reduction ....Neuropeptides are chemicals released from nerves that are responsible for communication between the nerves, glands, muscles or other nerves. Neuropeptides exert their diverse biological effects by interacting with small structures on the cells they wish to communicate with. These structures bind the neuropeptide and are termed neuropeptide receptors. The responses of tissues to neuropeptides, for example, contraction of muscle, decrease with continued exposure to the neuropeptide. This reduction in response is termed desensitization is thought to turn off the response to cells following stimulation by neuropeptides. In this study, I will investigate the mechanisms behind the desensitization of VPAC receptors which are a found throughout the body and have many important roles for example, gastrointestinal, pancreatic and reproductive function and control of muscle. VPAC receptors are also highly expressed in certain many cancers such as breast, prostate and colon carcinoma. The wide variety of functions that these receptors perform and the wide distribution in the body suggest that these are very important receptors. To date research into the responses and desensitisation of these receptors has been lacking, and the work that has been done has become confusing as more receptors and neuropeptides which bind them are discovered. The current project aims to carefully study these receptors and to determine their role in health and disease. The understanding the interaction of receptor and neuropeptide can perhaps lead to development of new therapeutic agents.Read moreRead less
Pancreatic Cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in men and women in Western societies. Nothing, apart from surgery in a small proportion of individuals gives any hope. The identification of novel treatment strategies in the modern era necessitates a rational scientific approach, where an understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the evolution of cancer underpins the development of such strategies in an efficient manner. Retinoids are derivatives of Vitamin A, and have b ....Pancreatic Cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in men and women in Western societies. Nothing, apart from surgery in a small proportion of individuals gives any hope. The identification of novel treatment strategies in the modern era necessitates a rational scientific approach, where an understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the evolution of cancer underpins the development of such strategies in an efficient manner. Retinoids are derivatives of Vitamin A, and have been used extremely successfully in the treatment of some leukaemias. Unfortunately, retinoids have not worked as well in other cancers. We have identified an important role for abnormal retinoid function in the evolution of pancreatic cancer, which may be responsible for the lack of effective response to retinoid treatment. This project focuses on identifying if these abnormalities in retinoid function can be reversed with adding specific pharmaceuticals so that retinoid based therapies will be effective in pancreatic cancer.Read moreRead less
Gut motility requires enteric neurons, which are located in the gut wall. During development, enteric neurons arise from precursors in the brain that migrate into the intestine. Failure of enteric neuron precursors to migrate and differentiate normally results in pediatric motility disorders. The aim of this research is to identify the mechanisms controlling the development of enteric neurons so that therapies can be developed for pediatric motility disorders.