Molecular Dissection Of Aberrant IL6/gp130 And TGF? Signaling In The Pathogenesis Of Interstitial Pneumonitis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$590,009.00
Summary
Interstitial pneumonia (IP) is frequently observed in the group of lung diseases which affect the transfer of oxygen from inhaled air into the bloodstream. Current treatments for these diseases only effectively manage patient’s symptoms but don’t cure patients of IP. We have developed a strategy to identify the exact cell type responsible for an acute IP and the molecular intermediates that may offer novel treatments and pave the way for a possible cure for this disease.
Characterisation Of Emerging New Signaling Networks That Underlie COPD Phenotypes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$696,966.00
Summary
Incurable diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are becoming increasingly prevalent in Australia’s aging population and new therapies are urgently needed. We have discovered a possible cause of severe emphysema and developed a novel method to image functional changes in the diseased lung. Using advanced molecular and imaging techniques we are now probing for ways to turn this discovery into effective treatments for this fatal disease.
Active Lung Disease In Survivors Of Preterm Birth? Can We Treat It?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$612,862.00
Summary
More than 15 million babies are born preterm each year. Those that survive face a lifetime of ongoing breathing problems and lung function that worsens through childhood. Our study will work out how inflammation in the lungs contributes to these ongoing breathing problems during childhood. We will also look at how the exhaled breath of preterm children is different to term children and test how treatment with an inhaled anti-inflammatory medicine changes the lung disease in preterm children.
Targeting Macrophage Subtypes As A Strategy For Chronic Inflammatory Lung Disease Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$660,471.00
Summary
Researchers in Melbourne have discovered a possible cause of severe emphysema. Using disease models, patients’ samples and advanced genetic techniques they are now searching for ways to turn this discovery into effective treatments for this disease which is currently fatal and incurable.
Identification Of Interleukin-6 Trans-signalling As A Novel Target For Therapeutic Approaches To Lung Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$627,089.00
Summary
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been implicated as a causative factor in lung cancer, the most lethal cancer worldwide, albeit by unknown mechanisms. Since IL-6 is also important for immune system homeostasis, the development of anti-IL-6 therapies requires an intimate knowledge of pathological versus physiological IL-6 signalling pathways. This project aims for the first time to define an alternative IL-6 signalling pathway, termed “trans signalling”, in the molecular pathogenesis of lung cancer.
G-CSF: A Pathogenic Effector In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease And Its Comorbidities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,241,551.00
Summary
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an incurable lung disease that is a huge global health burden, and new therapies are urgently needed. We have recently discovered a possible cause of COPD. This single factor also appears to drive other associated medical problems that are the biggest contributors to patient deterioration. Using advanced genetics, biochemistry and molecular methods we are searching for ways to turn our discovery into effective treatments for this fatal disease.
Predicting The Long Term Lung Health Outcomes In Young Adults Born Very Preterm
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$854,201.00
Summary
Preterm birth and its resulting lung problems can lead to breathing problems during childhood and into adult life. There are very few lung health studies that have tracked preterm individuals from childhood and into early adult life. This study will conduct a detailed lung health assessment in a follow-up of a group of preterm individuals at 19 years of age. We aim to identify if information we obtained in the group at 6 and 11 years can predict how the lungs look and behave at 19 years of age.
Activin A And Follistatin Are Potential Key Regulators Of Organ Transplant Dysfunction And Graft Survival.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$535,579.00
Summary
The grant examines novel key regulators in organ transplantation. It examines molecules that are released during transplant surgery and on the return of blood flow to the organ which can cause inflammation and scarring. The release is increased by heparin, an anticoagulant used in organ preparation. Alternative anticoagulants and blockers of the regulators released will be tested to prevent the damage to the transplant, potentially improving both the short and long term graft survival and functi ....The grant examines novel key regulators in organ transplantation. It examines molecules that are released during transplant surgery and on the return of blood flow to the organ which can cause inflammation and scarring. The release is increased by heparin, an anticoagulant used in organ preparation. Alternative anticoagulants and blockers of the regulators released will be tested to prevent the damage to the transplant, potentially improving both the short and long term graft survival and function.Read moreRead less
Targeting Oxidant-dependent Mechanisms That Drive COPD And Its Co-morbidities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$741,343.00
Summary
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung disease that is the 4th leading cause of death worldwide. There is currently no effective therapy to treat people with COPD, which costs the Australian community over $8.8 billion/year. Much of the disease burden and health care costs in COPD is associated with the management of its comorbidities (i.e other chronic medical conditions such as heart disease). This project will develop novel therapies to treat COPD and its comorbidities.
Novel Pharmacological Strategies To Treat Cognitive Dysfunction In COPD
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$872,455.00
Summary
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major incurable global health burden and is the 4th largest cause of death worldwide. Up to 60% of COPD patients suffer from cognitive dysfunction (i.e. a brain disorder which affects learning, memory, attention) which often leads to dementia. The reason for this is unknown so the aim of this study is to determine why people with COPD suffer from mental disorders then develop novel treatments to treat these disorders in COPD patients.