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Studies On Induction Of Antigen Specific T Regulatory Cells To Control Autoimmunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$353,033.00
Summary
The immune system has natural control mechanisms, called regulatory cells. Our group was the first in the world to correctly identify these cells. There is now a world-wide interest in these cells as they can prevent unwanted immune mediated injury. In autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, regulatory cells can prevent relapse and progression. This project will identify ways of producing potent specific regulatory cells to control multiple sclerosis and other debilitating neurological d ....The immune system has natural control mechanisms, called regulatory cells. Our group was the first in the world to correctly identify these cells. There is now a world-wide interest in these cells as they can prevent unwanted immune mediated injury. In autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, regulatory cells can prevent relapse and progression. This project will identify ways of producing potent specific regulatory cells to control multiple sclerosis and other debilitating neurological diseases.Read moreRead less
Understanding The Mechanisms Of PTEN Transfer Into Glial Cells Using Exosomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$567,253.00
Summary
This application will develop a new way of treating brain cancer which currently affects 1500 adults in Australia per year with no lasting cures. The average patient with a malignant brain tumour do not survive for more than 12 months. We have discovered a method of restoring a cancer suppressor substance that is lost from brain tumours. If successful, this treatment has the potential to limit or reverse the progression of brain tumours.
The Phylodynamics Of Human Enteroviruses: Informing Vaccine Effectiveness And Outbreak Preparedness
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$564,868.00
Summary
Enteroviruses such as EV-A71 are increasing in frequency and in Australia have resulted in the hospitalization of children with severe encephalitis. However, major aspects of their evolution and epidemiology are unknown. We will provide new insights on these important pathogens by revealing which enteroviruses are circulating in the region and whether they arise in specific localities, whether some are commonly associated with severe encephalitis, and whether some pose a greater epidemic threat.
Dendritic Cells And CCAAT/enhancer Binding Protein-delta (CEBP?) In Neuroinflammation And Autoimmunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$576,538.00
Summary
This projects aims to develop new treatments by finding the cells and chemicals that naturally stop inflammation in the central nervous system in diseases like MS. It also aims to test new treatments by delivering them to where this inflammation takes place. This targeted delivery should mean fewer side effects because the rest of the body is not exposed to the treatment. Hopefully this will reduce the impact of these diseases on the community, and reduce side effects for the patient.
Nix Mediated Mitophagy: A New Therapeutic Approach To Parkinson's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$674,428.00
Summary
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the most common neurodegenerative movement disorder in the world. A key problem in PD is that affected neurons lose energy and then die. We have discovered that by recycling mitochondria (the parts of the cell that produce energy), we can protect neurons from dying and restore function. This project will determine whether mitochondrial recycling mediated by Nix can restore energy and prevent neuronal loss. This would represent a new therapeutic approach to treat PD.
Using Trios To Find The Cause Of Motor Neuron Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$636,544.00
Summary
The cause of motor neuron disease (ALS) remains unknown. Usually only one member of a family is affected by ALS. Why parents are unaffected by the disease is unexplained. This may be because a genetic abnormality is present in the ALS patient but not in the parents. We have therefore collected DNA from ALS patients with their normal parents to look for newly-arising genetic changes in ALS patients. These findings could enable future gene therapy for these patients.
Understanding Age-related Protein Aggregation. The Mechanism Of Cataract And Its Prevention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$709,333.00
Summary
Cataract arises from clouding of the eye lens due to the aggregation of crystallin proteins whose high concentration and close packing facilitate lens transparency. This proposal will investigate crystallin structure and interactions to understand the reasons for cataract formation and its prevention via the design of aggregation inhibitors. The results will facilitate the development of drugs to prevent cataract and other related protein aggregation diseases, e.g. Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Deciphering The Role Of Atypical DNA Methylation In Neuronal Genome Regulation And Neurological Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$773,484.00
Summary
This research will use a combination of genomic, biochemical and functional genomics approaches to investigate the role of the atypical mCH form of DNA methylation in neuronal genome regulation and function, and provide new insights into the role of the epigenome in healthy brain function and neural pathologies.
An Objective Screening Test For Deglutitive Aspiration And Swallowing Function In Children With Dysphagia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$476,641.00
Summary
Swallowing dysfunction (dysphagia) is common in children with neurological diseases such as cerebral palsy which affects 1:400 births. Fluid in the lungs during swallow (aspiration) is a serious complication causing chest infections and potentially death. We have developed a new test measuring pressures and flows during swallow which can detect abnormalities predisposing to aspiration and we will evaluate this as a screening tool.
Epilepsy is a debilitating neurological disorder characterised by spontaneous seizures. For a third of epilepsy patients, drugs cannot prevent epileptic seizures from occurring without causing severe side effects. Therefore alternative treatments are needed. This work will develop epileptic seizure warning methods. This will alleviate the stress of randomly occurring seizures by giving patients the chance to move to safety before a seizure occurs, therefore enhancing their quality of life.