Involvement Of Interstitial Cells Of Cajal In The Pathogenesis Of Diabetic Gastroparesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$386,104.00
Summary
Diabetics commonly suffer from gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating and nausea. We have preliminary evidence that interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC), which are essential for normal gut motility, are particularly vunerable to damage in diabetes. The goal of this study is to determine how the loss of ICC in diabetes leads to delayed gastric emptying. Our overall aim is to identify potential therapeutic targets for improved treatment of diabetes-related gastrointestinal motility disorders.
The normal functioning of many organs is controlled by several types of nerves through releasing chemicals called neurotransmitters. A new type of nerve has been identified recently; these are called nitrergic nerves. They release a nitric oxide-like transmitter to control the relaxation of smooth muscle. Although it is known that nitrergic nerves play important roles in the regulation of functions of various organs, the nature of its transmitter has not been elucidated. Our recent study suggest ....The normal functioning of many organs is controlled by several types of nerves through releasing chemicals called neurotransmitters. A new type of nerve has been identified recently; these are called nitrergic nerves. They release a nitric oxide-like transmitter to control the relaxation of smooth muscle. Although it is known that nitrergic nerves play important roles in the regulation of functions of various organs, the nature of its transmitter has not been elucidated. Our recent study suggests that the nitrergic transmitter is more close to a redox form of nitric oxide such as nitroxyl anion than to nitric oxide itself. This project will investigate further the mechanism of nitrergic transmission including the nature of the nitrergic transmitter. The proposed research will help to answer important questions regarding the mechanisms of nitrergic transmission and thus may throw additional light to the nature of the nitrergic transmitter. The findings may also be significant for the development of new drugs (such as new NO donors) which interact with nitrergic mechanisms.Read moreRead less
Investigating The Mechanisms That Increase Nerve-evoked Vasoconstriction Following Spinal Cord Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,547.00
Summary
People with spinal cord injury not only lose control of their arms and legs but also lose control of their bladder and bowel. They also have poor control of blood pressure and an overfull bladder or bowel can lead to dangerously high blood pressure. In this project, we are investigating how this abnormal high blood pressure is generated. The aim is to develop treatments which target the mechanisms which increase the blood pressure responses elicited by the bladder and bowel.
Understanding The Likely Population Impact Of New And Improved Influenza Vaccines
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$358,678.00
Summary
Influenza causes a large burden of death and disease each year, as well as disruptive pandemics. Vaccines that could protect against more than one season�s flu strains (including new pandemic viruses) would be highly desirable, and may be on the horizon. Our aim is to understand the likely impact of these new vaccines on the way flu viruses spread between people, and change from one season to the next. This information is needed to justify their introduction, and inform their best use.
Sympathetic Nervous System Contribution To Hypertension : CNS Pathways, Neurotransmitters And Neuroeffector Mechanisms
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$450,750.00
Summary
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a major public health problem in Western society with approximately 20% of adults affected. If left untreated, serious damage to organs can occur and the risk of sudden cardiac death or stroke is greatly increased. While many factors contribute to the development of hypertension such as lifestyle, genes, diet, weight and exercise levels, a common feature in the early stages is an overactive nervous system in the kidney and in the heart which is most likely d ....High blood pressure (hypertension) is a major public health problem in Western society with approximately 20% of adults affected. If left untreated, serious damage to organs can occur and the risk of sudden cardiac death or stroke is greatly increased. While many factors contribute to the development of hypertension such as lifestyle, genes, diet, weight and exercise levels, a common feature in the early stages is an overactive nervous system in the kidney and in the heart which is most likely due to altered signals from the brain. We need to understand why this occurs. One possibility is that renin (a chemical released from the kidney) that is known to control body fluid, also acts in the brain to increase nerve activity to the kidney and heart and in this way contributes to high blood pressure. It does this indirectly by producing another hormone called angiotensin. Our research has shown that in conditions where the kidney releases excess of the hormone renin, which may occur if the blood supply to the kidney is reduced, a change occurs in the way in which the nervous system affects blood pressure. The nervous system is activated to increase the release of renin from the kidney. The effect of this is to make blood pressure increase further in what can become a vicious circle. At present it is not understood why and how this change occurrs. The major thrust of this project is to determine the mechanims by which the renal hormones signal the central nervous system to change the nature of the nervous activity back to the kidney. We want to know what parts of the brain are involved, how the nature of the activity in the nerves changes and also how the nervous control of the kidney changes (i.e. how the kidney changes its responsivness to the nerve activity). Because similar processes probably occur in nearly all forms of high blood pressure, our results will greatly improve our understanding of how this dangerous condition develops.Read moreRead less
I am a molecular physiologist investigating the structure and function of the inhibitory neurotransmitter glycine receptor (GlyR) and GABA type- A receptor (GABAAR) chloride channels. We are interested in understanding how these receptors open and close
Tuberculosis - Transmission, Drug Resistance And Strain Emergence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$290,652.00
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) kills nearly 2 million people each year. The emergence of drug resistant TB in the Asia-Pacific region pose a particular threat to Australia, due to frequent population mixing and ongoing TB transmission that may facilitate its spread within vulnerable communities. The proposed study will develop advanced tools to monitor and limit TB transmission within Australia. It will also provide novel insight into the evolution of the global TB epidemic and key factors that sustain it.
I am a physiologist-pharmacologist examining fundamental mechanisms of chronic inflammatory disease. By defining these mechanisms, I seek to discover the underlying cause of disease and to identify novel strategies for diagnosis and therapy of chronic diseases that are worldwide causes of morbidity and mortality.