Translating Oocyte Biology Discoveries To New Clinical Practices
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$772,605.00
Summary
A/Professor Gilchrist is a reproductive biologist studying factors that regulate the intrinsic quality of unfertilised eggs. He has produced and patented the use of unique growth factors produced by the egg that enhance egg quality in women. Bringing together industry and a world-leading clinic, he is developing new forms of hormone-free infertility treatment which he will take to clinical practice over the next 5 years.
Investigating The Role Of Exosomal Shuttle RNA In Mediating Pathogenesis Of Neurodegenerative Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$292,639.00
Summary
The risk for dementia increases with age and is placing a growing burden upon Australian medical resources. Novel genetic signals can be communicated between cells. This process may contribute to the development of dementia related disorders, such as Alzheimer's and Prion diseases. We hope to identify the genetic signals communicated between cells that may contribute to dementia. This will help us develop novel treatments that delay the onset or ultimately prevent Alzheimer's and Prion disease.
Molecular Mechanisms Of Human Cytochrome P450 CYP3A4 Gene Regulation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$196,059.00
Summary
Liver cytochrome P450 enzymes are important to medicine in areas as broad as drug breakdown, steroid hormone regulation and the formation or elimination of cancer causing chemicals. These enzymes are present in high concentration in the human liver, but the factors governing how much of these enzymes are produced have been poorly understood. Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) is arguably the single most important factor is how humans handle therapeutic drugs. It has been estimated that over 60% of all ....Liver cytochrome P450 enzymes are important to medicine in areas as broad as drug breakdown, steroid hormone regulation and the formation or elimination of cancer causing chemicals. These enzymes are present in high concentration in the human liver, but the factors governing how much of these enzymes are produced have been poorly understood. Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) is arguably the single most important factor is how humans handle therapeutic drugs. It has been estimated that over 60% of all drugs presently on the market are broken down, either in full or in part, by this enzyme. The amounts of CYP3A4 expressed in the liver differs markedly between individuals, and explains a great deal of the large variation in the way people break down drugs. Also, variations in the levels of CYP3A4 in the liver may be an important factor in both prostate cancer (the most common cancer in men) and the risk of developing leukemia after receiving chemotherapy for other cancers. The present projects builds on discoveries concerning the regulation of cytochrome P450 enzymes made by our group over the last few years, including an in-depth understanding of the way the production of CYP3A4 is increased by some drugs. In this project we seek to understand why individuals differ so much in terms of the amount of CYP3A4 in the liver (up to 10-fold) and why this enzyme is predominantly expressed in the liver and to as lesser extent, the intestine, while not being found at all in many other tissues. An understanding of these issues will allow us to: Y predict how patients will respond to drugs (pharmacogenetic testing). Y determine susceptibility to certain diseases (e.g., prostate cancer). Y develop novel drugs that can influence CYP3A4 production in the liverRead moreRead less
EGF Peptide Signalling Improves Oocyte Maturation And Quality
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$586,891.00
Summary
Infertility is common and although IVF is widely accepted, the procedure is expensive and is associated with health risks. Using laboratory animals, we have developed significant new insights into mechanisms regulating egg quality. These insights have allowed us to develop a new approach to infertility treatment - crucially, one that eliminates the need for ovarian hormone therapy used in IVF. This project will investigate the basic mechanisms underlying our new approach to enable safe clinical ....Infertility is common and although IVF is widely accepted, the procedure is expensive and is associated with health risks. Using laboratory animals, we have developed significant new insights into mechanisms regulating egg quality. These insights have allowed us to develop a new approach to infertility treatment - crucially, one that eliminates the need for ovarian hormone therapy used in IVF. This project will investigate the basic mechanisms underlying our new approach to enable safe clinical implementation.Read moreRead less
A Novel Procedure For Efficacious Gonadotrophin-free Infertility Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$436,328.00
Summary
Infertility is common and is associated with health risks and is expensive. Using laboratory animals, we have developed a unique procedure, which has comparable success rates to IVF but crucially, it eliminates the need for ovarian hormone therapy used in IVF. A clinical trial using this method has started in Brussels and in this project we will examine cells from that trial and from animals to investigate the underlying mechanisms to enable safe and rapid clinical implementation.