Mechanisms Regulating Nutrient Induced Motor Patterns In The Isolated Small Intestine
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$427,750.00
Summary
The movements of the small intestine are essential for the digestion and absorption of a meal and consist of two basic patterns during a 3-4 hour period after a meal. These are mixing (or segmentation) and propulsion (or peristalsis). Although it is the subject of ongoing study, much is known about the basic mechanisms that control propulsion, largely because this behaviour is readily seen in isolated segments of gut so it is possible to undertake highly controlled experiments to identify the va ....The movements of the small intestine are essential for the digestion and absorption of a meal and consist of two basic patterns during a 3-4 hour period after a meal. These are mixing (or segmentation) and propulsion (or peristalsis). Although it is the subject of ongoing study, much is known about the basic mechanisms that control propulsion, largely because this behaviour is readily seen in isolated segments of gut so it is possible to undertake highly controlled experiments to identify the various cellular components of the system. By contrast, mixing has only been reliably seen in intact animals making studies of the detailed mechanisms responsible for this behaviour much more difficult. What is known is that the composition of a meal controls the relative amount of mixing and propulsion seen at any location along the small intestine. We have recently identified a pattern of contractions in isolated small intestine (duodenum and-or jejunum) that is induced by the presence of a nutrient in the intestine and appears very similar to the mixing behaviour seen in the intact animal. We have shown that this pattern depends on the activity of nerve cells including those that excite the gut muscle and that it depends on the activity of a hormone released from the lining of the gut wall by fats and other nutrients. The aims of this proposal are to identify how nutrients interact to produce this pattern of contractions, the relative roles of specific types of nerve cells and the sites at which the local hormones released by nutrients act. This is important because increasing the proportion of mixing to propulsion enhances the absorption of nutrient from a meal, so if the mechanisms that initiate mixing behaviour can be regulated in a predictable way by specific nutrient, absorption can be enhanced in various malabsorption syndromes.Read moreRead less
I am a cardiorespiratory neuroscientist. My work aims to discover what determines central respiratory and sympathetic activity and how this controls breathing and the circulation in health and disease
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE200100326
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,231.00
Summary
Mass transfer enhancement for hydrate based carbon capture and cold storage. This project aims to generate the knowledge and techniques required to increase carbon dioxide (CO2) uptake in hydrate based carbon capture from current levels of 15.4% to up to 90% of its rated capacity. This marked improvement stems from identification of the mechanism of CO2-water mass transfer in CO2 hydrate formation and engineering of structurally modified porous hydrogels as the substrate of CO2 hydrates. Encapsu ....Mass transfer enhancement for hydrate based carbon capture and cold storage. This project aims to generate the knowledge and techniques required to increase carbon dioxide (CO2) uptake in hydrate based carbon capture from current levels of 15.4% to up to 90% of its rated capacity. This marked improvement stems from identification of the mechanism of CO2-water mass transfer in CO2 hydrate formation and engineering of structurally modified porous hydrogels as the substrate of CO2 hydrates. Encapsulation will be developed in a way that CO2 may be transported by CO2 hydrates in a concentrated form. Successful completion of the project will offer technical evaluation of a novel CO2 capture and transport solution with lower operational energy consumption and capital cost than incumbent carbon capture technologies.Read moreRead less
Inflammasome Sensors And Immune Protection Against Tumorigenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$750,110.00
Summary
Intestinal cancer is a leading cause of death in Australia and worldwide. Defects in the immune system can lead to the development of intestinal cancer. In this project, we will investigate the critical role of an immune sensor in inhibiting the development of intestinal cancer. This project will provide new insights into the interplay between the immune system and cancer biology and will potentially inform the development of new immunotherapies.
Cells recycle old components using a system called the proteasome. Some people are born without parts of the proteasome, and they suffer from a disease associated with inflammation. We have identified the molecular trigger for this inflammation. Our findings are also relevant for patients being treated with proteasome inhibitors. In some of these diseases, such as lupus, inflammation can be a side-effect of proteasome inhibitor therapy, and we can now reduce this and make the treatments safer.
Powering Next Generation Wearable Electronics: Moisture Electric Generator . This project aims to develop next generation energy harvesting device which can directly generate electricity from the moisture in the air for self-powered, wearable electronics. The goal will be achieved by developing a new class of carbon based nanomaterials and large scale printing technology, through optimizing the materials defects, printing process and electrode configuration. The expected outcomes will be new el ....Powering Next Generation Wearable Electronics: Moisture Electric Generator . This project aims to develop next generation energy harvesting device which can directly generate electricity from the moisture in the air for self-powered, wearable electronics. The goal will be achieved by developing a new class of carbon based nanomaterials and large scale printing technology, through optimizing the materials defects, printing process and electrode configuration. The expected outcomes will be new electronic materials for a wide range of end uses in wearable electronics, significant advances in self-powered, environmentally friendly devices, and commercialisation of the technology to Australian industries.Read moreRead less