Novel Approaches To Nanomedicines For Future Therapies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,414,215.00
Summary
Nanomedicines have the potential to transform healthcare by targeting significant health issues such as Alzheimer’s, diabetes and Parkinson’s diseases that have mainly eluded successful therapeutic solutions. In addition, nanotechnology has the potential to significantly improve the treatment of chronic pain by repurposing analgesic medications for improved effectiveness without significant side effects. I will target these two areas of research during the next five years.
Developing Species-specific, Structure-targeting Peptides As A Novel Class Of Antibiotics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$607,967.00
Summary
Multidrug, antibiotic resistance is a serious global threat. It is a real possibility that in the absence of new antibiotics, common infections could soon become untreatable. This project will develop a novel class of antibiotics that target the core structures of essential bacterial proteins. The successful outcome of this work will also aid the development of specific peptide-based inhibitors for numerous additional diseases, including viral and fungal infections and cancer.
How Does Fra-1 Regulate The Invasive Properties Of Tumour Cells?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$468,119.00
Summary
Most cancer deaths occur when tumours spread and destroy vital body functions. The invasion of tumour cells into surrounding tissue is a critical step during the spread of cancer. This project aims to unravel the molecular mechanisms that control the ability of tumour cells to invade into surrounding tissue and subsequently spread to other sites in the body. We expect to identify potential targets to better diagnose and treat the spread of cancer.
Functional Assessment Of Bioenergetic Defects In Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$113,322.00
Summary
Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) is a degenerative, hereditary disorder which affects the legs. Currently there are no treatments that target the disease process. We seek to identify the genes responsible for this condition in a group of Australian patients. Cell samples obtained from these patients will be tested for energy defects. We hope to improve our understanding of the underlying disease processes in order to find new ways to prevent, treat and cure this condition.
Controlling The Development And Function Of Hindbrain Commissures In Vertebrate Animals: The Role Of Robo3 Receptor
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$393,834.00
Summary
Commissural axons connect and coordinate activity between neurons of the left and right sides of the central nervous system. In the forebrain, formation of commissural axons is determined by guidance factors at the midline between the two hemispheres, and abnormalities in guidance can cause developmental malformations. The aims of this project are to elucidate function of the Robo/Slit family of molecules in regulating axon guidance of commissural neurons, particularly in the corpus callosum.
Molecular Characterisation Of Telomere Trimming And Its Role In Cell Proliferative Capacity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$403,439.00
Summary
Telomeres are protective structures at the ends of chromosomes. Telomere length is a major determinant of how many times a cell can proliferate. We have recently discovered a rapid telomere shortening process that we have called telomere trimming. We will analyse the molecular details of this process to determine whether it could be used to shorten telomeres and stop cancer cell proliferation, and whether blocking it could increase cell proliferation in patients with short telomere syndromes.
Towards Targeting The Endosome In Neurodegenerative Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$601,959.00
Summary
Mutations and dysregulation of the SNX27-retromer protein platform are strongly linked to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). This research program will determine how SNX27-retromer interacts with key molecules associated with AD and PD, the outcomes of which be significantly improved understanding of how mutations in these proteins cause disease, and a necessary molecular framework for future therapeutic targeting.
L1 Retrotransposition: The Missing Link Between Genetics And Environmental Factors In Parkinson's Disease ?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$604,644.00
Summary
The study proposed here focuses on understanding the role of specific mobile DNA sequences in the interaction between environmental and genetic risk factors causing Parkinson’s disease (PD) leading to dementia. The project proposes identification of mobile DNA induced mutations in post-mortem human PD patient brain samples. The significance and mechanisms of mobile DNA induced mutations will be then tested in a PD mouse model.
Genome-wide Analysis Of Gene Coding Variants Increasing Risk Of Endometriosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$705,035.00
Summary
Developments in genomics provide tools to find genes linked to endometriosis risk. Functional variants in protein coding regions of genes are an important class of disease causing variant and these have not been systematically screened. This project aims to use new methods to survey >95% of low frequency protein coding changes to find functional variants in genes and help develop reliable disease biomarkers and effective preventative and therapeutic strategies for this important disease.