Identifying Genetic Pathways Underlying The Development Of Distinct Neuronal Subtypes Among Midbrain Dopamine Neurons.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$462,709.00
Summary
There is an urgent need in the field of Parkinson's disease (PD) research to develop new strategies aimed at halting progression of the disease (neuroprotection) and alleviaing the symptoms (restorative therapy). This project employs a novel and innovative design to identify genes expressed specifically by the cell type most effected in PD and therefore provide new genetic targets for neuroprotective and resorative therapy.
The Use Of Soluble Antagonists Of EphA4 In Spinal Cord Injuries
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$622,361.00
Summary
Permanent and limited recovery of function following spinal cord injury is a direct result of the lack of nerve regrowth through the injury. Our preliminary data suggest that antagonising the effects of EphA4, a protein involved in brain development, leads to substantial functional recovery simultaneous with nerve regrowth. In addition to designing new, more effective blockers of EphA4, we will study the signalling pathways that EphA4 activates to inhibit nerve regrowth.