During injury or infection, our body’s immune system protects us by launching inflammation. But uncontrolled inflammation drives common diseases such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson's. This research program will reveal how the body deactivates inflammasomes – protein complexes at the heart of inflammation and disease – so we can design better drugs for treating patients with inflammation-driven disease.
Regulation Of Cytokine Signalling: Structure And Biophysical Characterisation Of Key Protiens
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$420,872.00
Summary
Cells are informed when to grow, divide, migrate or die by protein molecules called cytokines. The cellular response to cytokines needs to be carefully regulated or else inflammation and other disorders will result. The SOCS (Suppressors Of Cytokine Signalling) family of proteins are a major regulator of cytokine signalling. This work will examine the structure and interactions of this important protein class.
Novel Insights Into The Mechanisms Of How Viruses Cause Arthritis/Arthralgia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$78,187.00
Summary
Viruses cause many diseases today and new viruses emerge to post threats to future health and well being. The proposed work investigates how viruses cause disease in people, particularly how viral infections can lead to arthritis or muscle pain. This understanding will be used in the development of new prevention strategies and treatments.
Cell death is a normal process that permits the growth and defense of our vital tissues. One kind of cell death, necroptosis, is characterised by the swelling and bursting of cells, triggering inflammation. Necroptosis is a key feature of illnesses ranging from colitis to arthritis, and contributes to the brain and heart damage that follows strokes and heart attacks. Understanding necroptotic cell death will pave the way for new therapies for those who suffer from these devastating conditions.
Proteomics And Confocal Endomicroscopy In The Evaluation Of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$436,096.00
Summary
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) result in devastating consequences and affect more young Australians than epilepsy or road traffic accidents. Damaged bowel results in loss of the normal gut barrier and flora can enter the tissue and even the blood. This concept of the "leaky gut" has been previously difficult to demonstrate. This can now be seen and measured using two new technologies called proteomics and confocal endomicroscopy. These tests offer new avenues of research for the 61,000 Austra ....Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) result in devastating consequences and affect more young Australians than epilepsy or road traffic accidents. Damaged bowel results in loss of the normal gut barrier and flora can enter the tissue and even the blood. This concept of the "leaky gut" has been previously difficult to demonstrate. This can now be seen and measured using two new technologies called proteomics and confocal endomicroscopy. These tests offer new avenues of research for the 61,000 Australian sufferers of IBD.Read moreRead less
Neuroimmune Interactions In Functional And Organic Gastrointestinal Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,180.00
Summary
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) are chronic, incurable diseases of the lower gastrointestinal tract with unknown causes and poor treatment options. Both the immune and nervous systems are altered in GI disease, but have traditionally been studied in isolation. My research investigates how the neuro-immune axis is altered in these diseases, using animal models and human tissue samples to identify novel treatment options for these debilitating diseases.
Role Of Inflammation In The Physiological And Pathological Function Of The Gastrointestinal Tract
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$443,946.00
Summary
The gastrointestinal tract is continuously exposed to the external environment as a consequence of what we ingest. We have therefore evolved distinct mechanisms to deal with exposure to non-pathogenic insults in the gut. Sometimes, however these mechanisms fail leading to chronic inflammation and resultant pathology, which can under certain circumstances develop into cancer. This study will investigate inflammation in the gut, with particular interest in the systems that control inflammation.