Obesity-associated diseases are leading causes of death and are expected to increase as the obesity epidemic worsens. Because of the limited efficacy and/or safety concerns of currently available anti-obesity drugs, it is important to identify new drug targets. The results from this whole-genome scan will help to identify agents for obesity that reduce body weight and fat mass.
Problems in learning, memory and other complex mental processes are common to many brain disorders. This project will study the impact of mutations on a family of genes reported in autism and schizophrenia, on complex cognitive behaviours using novel behavioural technologies. This will not only shed fundamental insights into the specific mental processes regulated by these genes and their role in disease, but importantly provide novel targets for the development of therapies.
Functional Dissection Of The Malaria RhopH Complex And Its Contribution To New Permeation Pathways
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$604,718.00
Summary
The ability of Plasmodium to invade and remodel its host erythrocyte are the most significant contributors to its ability to cause the disease malaria. This project aims to understand how proteins secreted from a specialized rhoptry organelle during erythrocyte invasion help Plasmodium to remodel the erythrocyte so that the parasite can gain access to the vital nutrients it requires for survival. This research will validate whether drugs targeting the rhoptry proteins are viable drug targets.
Defining The Apoptotic And Therapeutic Activities Of Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$694,627.00
Summary
HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) are new chemotherapeutic drugs that kill tumors cells through a cell suicide process called apoptosis. We have used a mouse model of human blood cancers to show that these inhibitors can be used safely to severely limit the growth and spread of blood cancers. HDACi have the ability to inhibit multiple different target proteins (HDACs) and we aim to identify the key HDACs that cancer cells require to remain viable. Such information will lead to a more targeted or rational ....HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) are new chemotherapeutic drugs that kill tumors cells through a cell suicide process called apoptosis. We have used a mouse model of human blood cancers to show that these inhibitors can be used safely to severely limit the growth and spread of blood cancers. HDACi have the ability to inhibit multiple different target proteins (HDACs) and we aim to identify the key HDACs that cancer cells require to remain viable. Such information will lead to a more targeted or rational approach to chemotherapy using HDACi.Read moreRead less
Elucidating The Role Of MiR-196 In Formation Of The Axial Skeleton
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$520,087.00
Summary
Exquisite regulation of gene expression is a fundamental principle underlying growth and development of an embryo as well as homeostasis in the adult. Following the identification of hundreds of microRNAs within the genome which act to modulate gene expression, the challenge and the goal of these studies, is to identify individual microRNAs which contribute significantly to bone formation in the developing embryo.
Ciliopathies are an emerging group of syndromes in society that have devastating health effects. Ciliopathy patients exhibit a specturm of disorders including polycystic kidneys, extra digits, retinal degeneration and neural tube defects. INPP5E is a gene that is mutated in patients with a ciliopathy syndrome. These studies will determine the role of INPP5E in ciliopathy disease and may identify INPP5E as a novel treatment target.
Nuclear Receptors And Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$681,979.00
Summary
This project will explore the potential for a nuclear receptor known as the thyroid receptor to suppress growth of breast cancer using cell culture models and mouse models. We hope to show that activating the thyroid receptors leads to a reduction in breast cancer growth providing evidence that the thyroid receptor pathway could be targeted for therapy.
Identification Of Genes Causing Medulloblastoma By Transposon Mutagenesis.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$621,997.00
Summary
Brain tumours are the most common cause of cancer-related death in children and the tumour medulloblastoma is the most frequent. There is a need to develop new therapeutic approaches to treating medulloblastoma through the development of new drugs to directly target the tumour. This research has identified new genes that are good candidates as drug targets for treating medulloblastoma.
Effects Of Melanocortin Neurons On Systemic Glucose Homeostasis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$860,251.00
Summary
There is good evidence that the brain can control blood glucose, but we do not know how this occurs, or why this doesn’t work in diabetes. This grant will use cutting edge mouse genetic technology to determine how the brain controls blood glucose, and what changes in diabetes. This grant will determine how several hormones act through the brain to change glucose levels, and will help develop new strategies to treat high blood glucose.
Molecular Characterization Of V-ATPase V0 Domain Subunits E1 And E2 In Osteoclast
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$558,909.00
Summary
Osteoporotic fractures in the elderly are often linked to increased mortality rates. Excess bone resorption is a major contributor to the onset of the disease. The proposed project focuses on the investigation of the molecular mechanisms of acid secretion that is required for the bone degradation in body. The project will examine the role of the proton pump in bone resorption and seek potential targets for the treatment of osteoporosis.