Improving Patient Outcome Following Arthroscopic Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$345,591.00
Summary
Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) is the ‘gold standard’ for treating knee cartilage defects. Traditionally, ACI was performed through open surgery. However, ACI can now be performed through ‘keyhole’ surgery, decreasing the co-morbidity of open surgery. Furthermore, optimal patient outcome is limited by a lack of knowledge in effective post-operative rehabilitation. This project will evaluate outcomes following ACI performed through keyhole surgery, in conjunction with 'accelerated' reh ....Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) is the ‘gold standard’ for treating knee cartilage defects. Traditionally, ACI was performed through open surgery. However, ACI can now be performed through ‘keyhole’ surgery, decreasing the co-morbidity of open surgery. Furthermore, optimal patient outcome is limited by a lack of knowledge in effective post-operative rehabilitation. This project will evaluate outcomes following ACI performed through keyhole surgery, in conjunction with 'accelerated' rehabilitation.Read moreRead less
The Role Of Endogenous Glucocorticoids In The Pathogenesis Of Osteoarthritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$587,697.00
Summary
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease and a leading cause of disability. Recently, we found that the development of experimental OA in mice can be slowed if the effects of the body’s own (=endogenous) glucocorticoids were blocked locally. This project will determine how endogenous glucocorticoids accelerate the development of OA. We will further test whether treatment with drugs that block the actions of endogenous glucocorticoids can slow or prevent the development of OA.
Osteoarthritis (OA) affects approximately 20% of Australians and costs billions each year in joint replacements. Therapies that halt joint destruction in OA are urgently needed. We hypothesise that the little-known gene, vanin -3, is a key regulator of OA disease pathways. Our project will map vanin-3 in the joint and reveal how much vanin-3 contributes to joint destruction in mice. We expect to find a link between vanin-3 and metabolic disorders and identify new targets for therapy.
Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a common cause of hip pain characterised by extra bone formation at the hip, called a cam-deformity. FAI is thought to create hip joint damage and osteoarthritis. Our 5 year longitudinal study of people with FAI in two (Melbourne and Brisbane) sites will investigate whether factors (such as cam-deformity size, hip contact force, muscle strength and joint range) can predict hip joint damage (measured with magnetic resonance imaging) over two years.
Glycomic Control Of Cartilage Extra Cellular Matrix Turnover
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$706,289.00
Summary
Small, naturally occurring glycomic molecules control cartilage matrix turnover. We have synthesised small synthetic analogues of the naturally occurring molecules, and demonstrated their ability to regulate signalling pathways. This project will test and mathematical model the synthetic molecules in cell and tissue assays to define their properties and tissue effects, and assess their suitability as a drug delivery system. The results will be an important step towards designing new ways of trea ....Small, naturally occurring glycomic molecules control cartilage matrix turnover. We have synthesised small synthetic analogues of the naturally occurring molecules, and demonstrated their ability to regulate signalling pathways. This project will test and mathematical model the synthetic molecules in cell and tissue assays to define their properties and tissue effects, and assess their suitability as a drug delivery system. The results will be an important step towards designing new ways of treating osteoarthritis and other cartilage diseases.Read moreRead less
Deciphering The Overlapping Roles Of SSB1 And SSB2 In The Regulation Of Haematopoiesis And Intestinal Homeostasis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$996,631.00
Summary
Our work centres on elucidating the role of two newly identified and related single-stranded DNA binding protein (Ssb1 and Ssb2) in development of blood and gut system. When both genes are deleted mice die with 8 days of knockdown due to bone marrow failure and intestinal atrophy. Our double knockout model parallels the consequences of radiation damage on blood and gut system. Toxicity to these systems is a significant hindrance in delivering anti-tumor therapy.
As women age, the quality of their eggs decline and their chance of having a healthy baby plummets. The accumulation of DNA damage within the egg, and the reduced ability to repair this damage, may be one cause of compromised reproductive success in older women. This project will investigate the ability of eggs to repair DNA damage during maternal aging and will explore the importance of DNA repair to fertility and the transmission of high quality genetic material to their offspring.
TARGETING A NOVEL DNA-DAMAGE SIGNALING PATHWAY TO TREAT GLIOMAS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$97,783.00
Summary
Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is a high grade brain tumour for which current treatment modalities are inadequate. Tumour recurrence is almost inevitable and average life expectancy is measured in months. We have identified two proteins as potential therapeutic targets and demonstrated that depleting these proteins in vitro severely impacts on tumour cell viability. We will investigate the impact of targeting these proteins in mouse models of human gliomas and dissect the mechanism that leads to ....Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is a high grade brain tumour for which current treatment modalities are inadequate. Tumour recurrence is almost inevitable and average life expectancy is measured in months. We have identified two proteins as potential therapeutic targets and demonstrated that depleting these proteins in vitro severely impacts on tumour cell viability. We will investigate the impact of targeting these proteins in mouse models of human gliomas and dissect the mechanism that leads to their upregulation in tumour cells.Read moreRead less
The Role Of Nuclear Architecture In The DNA Damage Response
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$561,966.00
Summary
The goal of the proposed research is to understand how dynamic changes to the chromatin genome packaging network, interact with the DNA damage response and gene expression machinery, to repair damaged DNA and the impact this has on cancer biology. To do so we are combining cutting edge molecular biology techniques with innovative novel microscopy methods developed by our research team, that far exceed the spatiotemporal resolution currently used to study chromatin biology.
Targeting Renal And Vascular Inflammation In Hypertension
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$781,589.00
Summary
Inflammation is a hallmark of high blood pressure (A.K.A. hypertension) and underlies clinical complications of the condition such as kidney failure and blood vessel disease. This project will investigate whether a recently described signaling complex termed the 'inflammasome' is a trigger of inflammation in hypertension in the hope of identifying it as a target for new drugs that are more effective in the treatment of hypertension and its complications.