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Type 2 diabetes causes significant health problems. The fundamental reasons underlying this disease are not fully known and will require molecular analysis of proteins critical to blood glucose control. This work aims to define a novel pathway that responds to circulating nutrients. The research will enhance our understanding of the links between diet and metabolic disease, with potential to reveal much needed therapeutic targets and/or dietary interventions for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes.
Targeting Skeletal MTORC1 As A Novel Approach For The Treatment Of Diet-induced Insulin Resistance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$586,979.00
Summary
Diet-induced insulin resistance is a pathology that underlies type 2 diabetes. Elucidating the pathways and tissues that contribute to this condition is crucial for drug development. The skeleton has emerged as a critical insulin target tissue. We provide evidence that suppression of mTORC1, a complex over-activated by nutrients, in bone cells improves insulin sensitivity. In this study, we will determine if blocking mTORC1 function in bone cells can treat diet-induced insulin resistance.
A Novel Portable System For Day And Night Closed Loop Automated Insulin Delivery In The Patient With Type 1 Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$251,133.00
Summary
For patients with Type 1 Diabetes, improved glucose control has been shown to reduce the development of diabetes complications. Although advances have been made in therapy, most people with diabetes do not achieve optimal treatment targets and the burden of care is high. Technologies now exist that allow the development of automatic insulin therapy and the artificial pancreas. These experiments will test a novel portable system that represents a significant step advancing toward this goal.
Glycaemia-increasing Effects Of Sprinting In Type 1 Diabetes: Toward The Validation Of New Clinical Guidelines For Hypoglycaemia Prevention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,323.00
Summary
Recently, we found that the risk of hypoglycaemia associated with moderate intensity exercise in type 1 diabetic individuals is opposed by one or several short sprints performed during or after exercise. Our goal is to examine if exercising several hours before sprinting decreases its protective effect, and whether sprinting may impair several hours later the counterregulatory responses to hypoglycaemia. Finally, we will determine if guidelines advocating the use of short sprints reduce the risk ....Recently, we found that the risk of hypoglycaemia associated with moderate intensity exercise in type 1 diabetic individuals is opposed by one or several short sprints performed during or after exercise. Our goal is to examine if exercising several hours before sprinting decreases its protective effect, and whether sprinting may impair several hours later the counterregulatory responses to hypoglycaemia. Finally, we will determine if guidelines advocating the use of short sprints reduce the risk of hypoglycaemia under free living conditions.Read moreRead less
Does Mitochondrial Metabolism In Neurons Act To Link Peripheral Metabolic State To Motivated Food-seeking Behaviour?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$335,697.00
Summary
Obesity, and its associated pathologies, is a major disease concern. The brain systems that regulate food intake and body weight break down under the strain of obesity and this creates a vicious cycle where failure to regulate metabolism promotes further weight gain. I am investigating how the mitochondrial enzyme CPT1c regulates these brain systems, and whether obesity impairs CPT1c function. Understanding CPT1c function in the brain will help us understand the causes of obesity and diabetes.
Carnitine Palmitoyl Transferase 1 In POMC Neurons Controls Glucose Homeostasis And Body Weight
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$474,499.00
Summary
The brain plays a critical role in body weight gain by balancing appetite-inducing and appetite-suppressing signals. An imbalance in this process causes obesity, promotes diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The aim of this research is to identify how appetite-suppressing brain signals are maintained as a method to prevent obesity progression.
Age- And Energy-status Dependent-plasticity Of Glucose Sensing, Orexigenic NPY Neurons: The Glucose-ghrelin Balance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$578,641.00
Summary
Our research aims to identify how specific brain cells detect changes in glucose levels and how ageing and diet affect their function. We identified a subset of nerve cells that detect changes in glucose and the “hunger” hormone ghrelin, their ability to do so adapting with age and nutritional status. This project will investigate the potential of these nerve cells as targets for therapeutic and diet- intervention strategies to target obesity, diabetes and promote healthy ageing
We have discovered that activating a cell surface protein increases blood sugar levels in mice. This might occur in diabetes and liver disease. We plan to (1) learn which activators of this protein increase glucose; (2) understand how they affect glucose metabolism; (3) study new inhibitors of this protein for blocking increased glucose production; (4) test the potential therapeutic benefits of blocking this protein in mouse models of type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Brain Glucose-sensing: Age- And Energy-status-dependent Plasticity Of Function-specific Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) Glucose-sensing Neurons In The Arcuate Nucleus Of The Hypothalamus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$495,071.00
Summary
Obesity and ageing predispose individuals to diabetes, the health and socio-economic implications of which posing significant challenges for Australia in the foreseeable future. Research outlined here aims to identify novel mechanisms enabling brain cells to detect changes in glucose and how ageing and diet affect the function of these nerves. We believe this research could provide novel therapeutic and early diet-based intervention strategies for diabetes and obesity.