Identification Of Genes For Non-syndromic Intellectual Disability And Walker-Warburg Syndrome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$399,984.00
Summary
Mental retardation (MR) affects 3% of people and the cause is still largely unknown. Walker-Warburg syndrome (WWS) is an inherited cause of severe MR that also includes eye and muscle disease. Recent studies suggest that there are at least ten WWS genes. This project will identify MR and WWS genes by searching for gene alteration (mutations) that affected families have in common. Knowledge of the genetic causes will lead to better understanding of normal brain development and therapies.
Using Genetic Tools To Study Helicobacter Pylori Pathogenesis And Persistence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$316,449.00
Summary
H. pylori infection is the leading cause of gastric ulcer disease and stomach cancer. In light of emerging antibiotic resistance and failed vaccine trials, alternative therapies are needed to treat this lifelong infection. This project aims to develop tools to identify and characterize genes required by H. pylori for infection which will serve as new drug targets. This new knowledge will also contribute to a better understanding of the persistence of this and other bacteria.
Structural And Functional Studies On Leptospiral Antigens Central To Pathogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$287,321.00
Summary
Leptospirosis, also known as Weil's disease and canefield fever, is a potentially fatal disease caused by infection with the bacteria Leptospira. Leptospira is able to infect a broad range of animals including livestock and humans. Human infection typically occurs through contact with water or vegetation that has been exposed to the urine of an infected animal. This project focuses on a key step in the bacterial infection in trying to understand how these bacteria adhere to human cells.
Investigating Mechanisms Of Dementia And Motor Neuron Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$303,924.00
Summary
Dementia and motor neuron disease (MND) are both neurodegenerative diseases which have devastating impacts on patients and their families. My research investigates the biochemical mechanisms involved in these diseases. Pathology in the nervous system of dementia and MND patients contains a protein called ‘TDP-43’, but it remains unknown how this causes disease. This project will therefore explore the effects of TDP-43 malfunction, which will provide insight into potential therapeutic strategies.
Microbial Involvement In The Development Of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$302,123.00
Summary
Despite extensive research investigating the causative agent(s) of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), the results of current studies remain inconclusive. One reason for this relates to study design and the sensitivity of techniques used. This project will investigate differences in the microbial composition and metabolic profiles of newly diagnosed IBD children as compared with matched controls. If successful, these results will provide insights into possible aetiological agent(s) of IBD.