The Fellowship would support Professor Bowtell, one of the world’s leading ovarian cancer researchers. His work focuses on clinical problems of chemotherapy resistance and the development of new therapeutic approaches. His studies are underpinned by the Australian Ovarian Cancer Study (AOCS), one of the world’s most sophisticated clinical cohort studies of ovarian cancer, with over 3000 Australian women enrolled.
Obesity is associated with type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, cardiovascular disease and cancer. These inter-related diseases reduce life expectancy and their treatments come at an enormous financial cost. The overriding aim of this work is to understand the molecular and cellular regulation of lipid metabolism in skeletal muscle, liver and adipose tissue, and how this impacts endocrine function to affect the pathogenesis of types 2 diabetes and prostate cancer.
New Antibiotics And Treatment Methods Against Drug-resistant Bacteria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$766,468.00
Summary
Infectious disease is a leading cause of death, and the emergence of "superbugs" in the community and hospitals is of grave concern. We are developing new, powerful antibiotics that can kill superbugs using ‘forgotten’ drugs from the 1970s. These will combat bacteria that cause pneumonia, skin and urinary track infections; diseases that cause death and discomfort for thousands of Australians today. We will also develop methods to directly remove bacteria from blood infections.
Targeting The Unmet Global Medical Need Caused By Gram-negative 'superbugs': From Antibiotic Discovery To Novel Therapeutic Strategies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$697,209.00
Summary
Bacterial ‘superbugs’ present a significant global medical challenge. ‘Old’ polymyxins are the only antibiotics against Gram-negative ‘superbugs’ but with limited pharmacological information available. In the next 5 years, as a pharmacologist I will continue re-developing polymyxins and discovering novel antibiotics against these problematic bacteria. My research targets the “Bad Bugs, No Drugs” disaster highlighted by the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the World Health Organization.
In patients predisposed to metabolic diseases, excessive fats get delivered to various tissues. About 10 to 15% are converted into sphingolipids, many of which have deleterious effects on tissue function. Blocking sphingolipid production prevents diabetes and most cardiovascular diseases in rodents. We seek to better understand these mechanisms and determine how the observations can be translated into new therapies and better clinical outcomes.
Translational Research Initiatives In Acute Leukaemia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,010.00
Summary
Recent research has focussed on molecular characterisation of high-risk acute leukaemia subtypes. This proposal will combine the power of genomic analysis, global analysis of protein kinases and stringent preclinical drug testing in order to improve the treatment of these high-risk acute leukaemia subtypes. Several innovative and interrelated projects within this Program will utilise a unique and clinically relevant experimental model to achieve their goals.
Manipulation Of Energy Metabolism To Control Lipid Accumulation And Insulin Action.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$804,106.00
Summary
I am a metabolic biochemist investigating how overconsumption of calories, particularly fat, results in dysfunctional energy metabolism and increased the risk of type 2 diabetes. I examine changes in the daily rhythms of energy intake, energy utilisation and energy storage in different tissues of dietary and genetically modified animals to pinpoint novel ways of reducing fat accumulation and reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Dr. Ivo Mueller is global leader in the study of non-African malaria with a special focus on the SW Pacific and on P. vivax. His research at the Walter & Eliza Hall Institute focuses on population-based studies of host-vector-parasite interactions and their effect on burden and transmission of different malaria parasites as well as improving treatment & prevention of malaria in children and pregnant mothers and thereby contributing to the development of new tools to control and eliminate malaria
Senior Research Fellowship In Lipoprotein Metabolism
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$804,106.00
Summary
A physiologist describing metabolic pathways and mechanisms that regulate lipoprotein metabolism in in vitro and in vivo systems. My research uses complex tracer studies and mathematical modelling to identify and quantitate pathways of lipid metabolism in normal and diseased states prior to and following lifestyle and/or pharmacological interventions. The focus of my research is on cardiovascular disease risk reduction.
Comparative And Functional Genomics Of Human Bacterial Pathogens
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$601,484.00
Summary
Bacteria have evolved different ways of causing disease in humans. Some bacteria produce toxins that attack the host or they have developed ways to persist in the host by evading immune responses and resisting antibiotics. This project is concerned with understanding how these processes occur and developing preventative strategies for two important groups of bacteria that cause disease in humans, including the bacteria that cause TB and the devastating skin disease Buruli ulcer, and the hospital ....Bacteria have evolved different ways of causing disease in humans. Some bacteria produce toxins that attack the host or they have developed ways to persist in the host by evading immune responses and resisting antibiotics. This project is concerned with understanding how these processes occur and developing preventative strategies for two important groups of bacteria that cause disease in humans, including the bacteria that cause TB and the devastating skin disease Buruli ulcer, and the hospital superbug "Golden Staph".Read moreRead less