The Role Of Susceptibility Genes And Microbiota In Inflammatory Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$303,924.00
Summary
Utilising my background in Immunology I will investigate whether specific genetic mutations can create a susceptibility for dysregulation of the flora and immune system within the gut, thus predisposing an individual to inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease) as well as non-intestinal inflammatory conditions. These diseases are becoming an increasingly prevalent and serious health burden in Australia. We aim to use this knowledge in order to design specific treatment ....Utilising my background in Immunology I will investigate whether specific genetic mutations can create a susceptibility for dysregulation of the flora and immune system within the gut, thus predisposing an individual to inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease) as well as non-intestinal inflammatory conditions. These diseases are becoming an increasingly prevalent and serious health burden in Australia. We aim to use this knowledge in order to design specific treatments for these diseases.Read moreRead less
MicroRNA Networks That Safeguard The Functional Program Of Regulatory T Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$457,941.00
Summary
A newly discovered group of molecules termed microRNAs are thought to function as rheostats for the activity of genes. We have shown that these molecules are critical for the function of an immune cell type termed regulatory T cells. Without these cells, the immune system is unable to prevent uncontrolled and destructive inflammation. This proposal aims to utilize diverse technologies to uncover the precise molecular mechanisms by which microRNAs safeguard the function of regulatory T cells.
Pathogenesis Of A New Mouse Model Of Ankylosing Spondylitis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$682,820.00
Summary
Ankylosing spondylitis and Crohn's disease are autoimmune inflammatory diseases which cause long-term pain and deformity of joints, spine and bowel. Using a new mouse model of both diseases, we will study cells and processes involved in the initiation of disease, in order to discover new targets for prevention and treatment. The work will have importance for design of new therapies for human inflammatory spine and bowel diseases.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a condition which causes inflammation in many different organs and can lead to significant suffering and death. Glucocorticoids (GC) are very good at controlling inflammation, however they have severe side effects such as diabetes and bone thinning, and cannot be used long term. This project aims to investigate a protein “GILZ” in patients with SLE. GILZ may have similar anti-inflammatory effects to GC but may not be associated with the same side effects.
The Molecular Determinants Of Immunological Tolerance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$473,477.00
Summary
Autoimmune diseases, such as type I diabetes and multiple sclerosis, are debilitating disorders that impose a massive toll on wellbeing in Australia and worldwide. This fellowship will support research aimed at determining the genes and mechanisms that control autoimmunity. New technologies will be brought to bear to track immune cells throughout their development, maturity and malfunction in disease settings. We aim to uncover new therapeutic targets to prevent and reverse autoimmune disease.
The Control Of Autoimmunity Originating From Somatically Hypermutated B Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$530,337.00
Summary
Our immune systems are capable of producing long-lived antibodies that can last a lifetime. Sometimes, this powerful process can however become abnormal and result in autoimmune diseases such as lupus. We have recently developed the first experimental mouse model that allows researchers to study this process in great detail. This funding will extend our initial observations by identifying the exact mechanisms by which important regulators of autoimmune disease act.
Prevention Of Autoimmune Diabetes By Immune Tolerance To Proinsulin
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$504,597.00
Summary
In type 1 diabetes, insulin is the first target of the immune system. Strategies to prevent the immune system targeting insulin in mice early in the disease process work, but it is not clear if such strategies would be effective if applied late. This is important because preventive therapies for human type 1 diabetes are currently feasible only late in the disease process. We aim to address this by removing T cells specific for insulin at different stages of the disease.
How Deletional And Non-Deletional Tolerance Mechanisms Integrate To Prevent Autoimmune Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$509,944.00
Summary
The body produces millions of immune cells every day to fight infection. Some of these immune cells are defective and dangerous because they can cause autoimmune diseases, like Type I diabetes and multiple sclerosis. To defuse this risk, such immune cells are either caused to die or are inactivated to prevent autoimmunity. We propose to investigate how the processes of immune cell death and inactivation work in health and disease so we may harness these mechanisms to cure autoimmunity.