Deciphering Specific Roles For The Common Arnt Proteins In BHLH/PAS Transcription Factor Complexes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$526,421.00
Summary
Understanding the precise control of neuronal genes related to appetite and obesity, and neuropsychiatric disorders and dementia, is complicated by some gene regulating proteins having highly related sequences. This project will eludcidate how two closely related proteins can determine specific target gene outputs, information important for designing methods to control activities of neurological disease related genes within cells.
Gene-environment Interactions In The Aetiology Of Myopia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$671,285.00
Summary
The rapid rise in the prevalence of shortsightedness poses a major public health challenge. The Sydney Myopia Study has collected a large database on environmental risk factors, and has documented a major protective effect of children spending more time outdoors. Other studies suggest that myopia has a major genetic component. This study will collect DNA samples from over 4000 participants in the Sydney Myopia Study, and through genome-wide scanning, will look for gene-environment interactions.
Understanding Gene-environment Interactions In Relation To Risk Of Age-related Cataract
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$86,514.00
Summary
Age-related cataract is the clouding of the lens, a leading cause of visual impairment among older persons. The burden of this common eye disease will only increase as the population ages. Besides age, other environmental and genetic risk factors that increase the risk of cataract have been identified. The aim of this research is to examine how the interplay of genes and environment contributes to age-related cataract formation, using population-based data of established studies.
Genetic And Environmental Risk Factors On Lifetime Risk Of Obstructive Lung Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$351,414.00
Summary
Classification of lifetime phenotypes of obstructive lung disease allows investigation of the effect of environmental and genetic influences on specific phenotypes along with the interactions between them. Through improved phenotyping ,the currently inconsistent relationships between asthma and COPD and their associations with genetic and environmental factors may become clearer.
Defining Factors That Contribute To Individual Diversity In The Diet-health Axis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,668,059.00
Summary
There is a complex interplay between nutrition and genetics such that one diet maybe good for some but not for others depending on genetic makeup. Preliminary experiments in flies and mice support this. We found that for some flies, diets high in fat are harmful resulting in short life but certain flies resist the harmful effects of fat and live a longer lives. We propose to unravel the gene-environment interaction and determine which genes might lead to optimal health outcomes on certain diets.
Molecular Mediators, Epigenetic Modulators And Therapeutic Targets For Cognitive Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$763,845.00
Summary
Brain disorders constitute an enormous, and growing, burden. My research investigates how genes and environment combine to cause disorders of cognition, including dementia, schizophrenia and autism. The research will provide new insights into these disorders, at the level of molecules, cells and behaviour. I will explore how genetic and environmental factors interact, with a focus on mental activity, physical exercise and stress, which affect a range of neurological and psychiatric disorders.