BRAIN-MEND: Biological Resource Analysis To Identify New Mechanisms And Phenotypes In Neurodegenerative Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$861,866.00
Summary
Current classification of neurodegenerative diseases (ND) based on clinical phenotypes does not take into account underlying disease heterogeneity, or overlapping disease mechanisms, thus hindering therapy development. Segregation and re-classification of ND phenotypes is urgently needed. BRAIN-MEND will reclassify existing phenotypic classifications using using pathway and network analyses within and across complex NDs.
Frontotemporal Dementia And Motor Neurodegenerative Syndromes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$11,583,107.00
Summary
Frontotemporal degeneration of the brain is a leading cause of morbidity. It is a pathologically heterogeneous group of rapidly-progressive disorders with behavioural, language and motor deficits. This research program brings together international leaders in clinical, pathological and biological research of these syndromes, aiming to fast track new knowledge and innovations to develop the necessary tools and therapies to effectively diagnose, manage and treat these disorders.
The Mechanism Of HSV-1 Transport In Sensory Axons And Its Unique Assembly At The Axon Terminus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$670,284.00
Summary
Herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2 cause common diseases such as genital herpes and, occasionally, neonatal deaths and encephalitis and predisposes to HIV infection. New antiviral strategies are required for resistant viruses for control. These aims will be facilitated by understanding how HSV is transported down nerves and across into skin. In this study, we will define how a key viral protein plays a major role in assembly of the virus at the tip of the nerve before it enters skin.
Frontotemporal Dementia And Motor Neurodegenerative Syndromes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$17,069,580.00
Summary
Frontotemporal degeneration of the brain is a leading cause of morbidity due to a pathologically heterogeneous, rapidly-progressive group of disorders with behavioural, language and motor deficits. Our internationally recognized team will continue to develop the necessary tools and therapies to effectively diagnose, manage and treat these disorders. Our focus in this program is to understand the unusual genetics underpinning these disorders, and to fast track any potential treatments.
Sugar transporters in coral symbiosis and origin of parasitism. We aim to identify how symbiotic algae feed sugar to their coral hosts. Corals need this algal sugar to exist, but no one knows how it is transferred, so understanding this crucial mechanism is hugely significant. The first benefit of this research will be a fundamental understanding about how two organisms (algae and coral) cooperate to build habitats like the Great Barrier Reef. We also aim to explore whether coral/algal coopera ....Sugar transporters in coral symbiosis and origin of parasitism. We aim to identify how symbiotic algae feed sugar to their coral hosts. Corals need this algal sugar to exist, but no one knows how it is transferred, so understanding this crucial mechanism is hugely significant. The first benefit of this research will be a fundamental understanding about how two organisms (algae and coral) cooperate to build habitats like the Great Barrier Reef. We also aim to explore whether coral/algal cooperation paved the way for the origin of parasitism. The second key outcome will be to identify the precise molecular mechanism that allowed parasitism to arise. This will benefit us through understanding the origins of important diseases such as human malaria and related infections of livestock and wildlife.
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Transport And Egress Of Herpes Simplex Virus In Neurones
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$592,023.00
Summary
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) enters the human body via the skin before entering the termini of nerve cell processes. It is transported along these processes to the body of the nerve cell. HSV lies dormant within these nerve cell bodies near the spinal cord in most people. Intermittently the virus reactivates and is transported back down the nerve cell processes to the skin where it causes blisters-ulcers or is shed without causing symptoms. The aim of this grant is to determine how HSV is transpor ....Herpes simplex virus (HSV) enters the human body via the skin before entering the termini of nerve cell processes. It is transported along these processes to the body of the nerve cell. HSV lies dormant within these nerve cell bodies near the spinal cord in most people. Intermittently the virus reactivates and is transported back down the nerve cell processes to the skin where it causes blisters-ulcers or is shed without causing symptoms. The aim of this grant is to determine how HSV is transported within nerve cells at the molecular level. Recent discoveries have shown how virus transport in nerve cells is dependent on interactions between specific viral proteins and cellular motor proteins and how the virus escapes from nerves to infect skin and cause disease. Such information on viral transport will allow development of inhibitors of this process which may be candidates for use as antivirals for control of recurrent herpes simplex. In addition, this information will allow the virus to be exploited for use in gene therapy to introduce DNA into human nerve cells to correct genetic abnormalities. Finally this data will assist in understanding similar mechanisms for other viruses transported in nerve cells such as those causing shingles and rabies.Read moreRead less
Sugars in the real world: are cultured cancer cells a good model system for studying protein glycosylation? It is challenging to study errors in metabolism in human beings, so researchers use cells grown in the laboratory to understand disease processes. This project will determine if cultured cells accurately reflect the real changes to cell surface sugars that occur in all cancers, and the effect of these changes on the invasive properties of colon cancer cells.
Future Industries Research - Biotechnology and Nanotechnology: Small talk: Communication networks in microbes. We will use the Australian Proteome Analysis Facility to address the multifaceted mechanisms of microbial interactions and produce new knowledge about the pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a common cause of death in cystic fibrosis patients. We will characterise the interactions between P. aeruginosa and the emerging fungal pathogen Scedosporium aurantiacum as a proactive step towards be ....Future Industries Research - Biotechnology and Nanotechnology: Small talk: Communication networks in microbes. We will use the Australian Proteome Analysis Facility to address the multifaceted mechanisms of microbial interactions and produce new knowledge about the pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a common cause of death in cystic fibrosis patients. We will characterise the interactions between P. aeruginosa and the emerging fungal pathogen Scedosporium aurantiacum as a proactive step towards better understanding of pathogen communication. Improved understanding of pathogen interactions should facilitate the development of novel anti-adhesives as therapeutics. Our project will train young scientists in a new integrated approach to biology.Read moreRead less
What is killing the honeybees? The role of RNA viruses. This project aims to determine if the Varroa mite, the most important parasite of honeybees, selects for virulent strains of RNA viruses. Before Varroa’s inevitable arrival in Australia, this project will disentangle the effect of Varroa and the bees’ immune system on the evolution of virulence of bee viruses. Australia’s honeybees are Varroa-naïve and don’t carry virulent viruses. There is a known association between Varroa and colonies dy ....What is killing the honeybees? The role of RNA viruses. This project aims to determine if the Varroa mite, the most important parasite of honeybees, selects for virulent strains of RNA viruses. Before Varroa’s inevitable arrival in Australia, this project will disentangle the effect of Varroa and the bees’ immune system on the evolution of virulence of bee viruses. Australia’s honeybees are Varroa-naïve and don’t carry virulent viruses. There is a known association between Varroa and colonies dying from viruses; however, it is not known what is cause and effect. This project will clarify Varroa’s exact role in the evolution of virulence in RNA viruses. The intended outcome is increased knowledge allowing the design of an effective treatment to prevent the death of honeybee colonies.Read moreRead less
Understanding glycopolymer interactions with the extracellular matrix. This project aims to advance knowledge of the biochemical and biophysical structure of the endothelial glycocalyx, a dynamic cell surface extracellular matrix rich in proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans. It will be the first to explore how charged glycopolymers interact with this dynamic interface with the goal to develop a model of the glycocalyx lifecycle. This project is expected to enable the transfer of skills, knowledg ....Understanding glycopolymer interactions with the extracellular matrix. This project aims to advance knowledge of the biochemical and biophysical structure of the endothelial glycocalyx, a dynamic cell surface extracellular matrix rich in proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans. It will be the first to explore how charged glycopolymers interact with this dynamic interface with the goal to develop a model of the glycocalyx lifecycle. This project is expected to enable the transfer of skills, knowledge and ideas as well as advanced research and industrial training for young scientists. Knowledge derived from this project is expected to enable future innovation in molecules with tailored interactions with the glycocalyx with significant benefits for researchers, manufacturers and end users. Read moreRead less