Exploring DNA Methylation As A Mechanism For Long-term Memory For Fear Extinction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,322.00
Summary
Traumatic experiences are well remembered. In some cases, fear-related memories become debilitating and require therapeutic intervention to diminish the impact of these kinds of memories on daily living. Such therapies engage a process of inhibitory learning called fear extinction. Since anxiety disorders are particularly sensitive to relapse even after extensive exposure therapy, a deeper understanding of the extinction process is crucial if we are to develop more effective treatment protocols ....Traumatic experiences are well remembered. In some cases, fear-related memories become debilitating and require therapeutic intervention to diminish the impact of these kinds of memories on daily living. Such therapies engage a process of inhibitory learning called fear extinction. Since anxiety disorders are particularly sensitive to relapse even after extensive exposure therapy, a deeper understanding of the extinction process is crucial if we are to develop more effective treatment protocols for a variety of anxiety disorders.Read moreRead less
This study will address the idea that cancer commonly involves a genetic pathway that is normally used by stem cells to proliferate in an undifferentiated state. We have evidence to indicate that this system is active in cancer cells and believe this could explain how cancer cells manage to divide rapidly in a primitive state. This project may bring a new perspective to the study of malignant transformation and has the potential to reveal multiple new targets for cancer therapy.
Cell-specific Regulation Of The MicroRNA/RNAi Pathway
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$659,390.00
Summary
MicroRNAs are a group of molecules that are critical for controlling the activity of genes. They function in a diverse range of biological systems, such the brain and immune system. Although we know that these molecules are important, how they are made in cells is still poorly understood. Because these molecules have potential therapeutic applications, it is essential that we gain a precise understanding of their biology before we will be able to apply these to medicine.
The exciting field of small RNA research was the subject of the 2006 Nobel Prize in Medicine, and holds great potential in the diagnosis and prognosis of disease such as cancer. Recent clinical studies suggest that drugs inhibiting small RNAs called microRNA present novel therapeutic opportunities. By defining the non-specific effects of such drugs and investigating new avenues for their delivery, this project will secure the safe application of these drugs into the clinic.
The Molecular Basis Of HLA-linked Drug Hypersensivity Reactions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$683,040.00
Summary
Adverse drug reactions are one of the leading causes of death in hospitalised patients. We have discovered a new mechanism that links these reactions to recognition of drug induced changes in immunological self, resulting from interactions of drugs with immune receptors. This project probes the generality of this mechanism by examining the basis of life threatening reactions to drugs used to treat epilepsy (carbamazepine), gout (allopurinol), HIV (Nevirapine) and towards aspirin a commonly used ....Adverse drug reactions are one of the leading causes of death in hospitalised patients. We have discovered a new mechanism that links these reactions to recognition of drug induced changes in immunological self, resulting from interactions of drugs with immune receptors. This project probes the generality of this mechanism by examining the basis of life threatening reactions to drugs used to treat epilepsy (carbamazepine), gout (allopurinol), HIV (Nevirapine) and towards aspirin a commonly used pharmaceutical.Read moreRead less
Understanding The Complexity Of Antigen Presentation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$774,540.00
Summary
I have developed and established the use of mass spectrometry to identify and quantitate ligands of antigen presenting molecules to understand the breadth of immune responses in a variety of human disease states including autoimmunity, cancer, infection and allergy. By embedding the technology in disease focussed research programs I will define the molecular bases of these diseases and the important immunological targets that will provide new avenues for therapeutic development and vaccines.