A Vulvar Cancer Cluster In Young Indigenous Women In Arnhem Land: Investigation Of Community Knowledge, Genetic Susceptibility And Supportive Care Response
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$711,841.00
Summary
Cancer of the vulva is 50 times more common in young Aboriginal women in Arnhem Land than in other women. Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which also causes cervical cancer, is the usual cause of this cancer; initial investigations have found that HPV is present in these cancers but is not the reason for the excessive incidence. This study will investigate local knowledge about this disease, and whether inherited susceptibility or an environmental cancer-causing substance are the cause of the excess.
FANC Gene Mutations In Acute Myeloid Leukaemia Biology And Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$900,780.00
Summary
We have found mutations in DNA repair genes in AML patients, and associated the presence of these with increased risk of developing AML. Our hypothesis is that the presence of these mutations leads to reduced efficiency of DNA repair, and increased risk of additional mutations and leukaemic transformation. Our aim is therefore to determine the changes associated with these mutations in blood cell precursors, and to investigate the potential of targeted therapies for this group of patients.
Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) Genetics Of Ankylosing Spondylitis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$568,612.00
Summary
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is the prototypic condition of a group of types of inflammatory arthritis called 'seronegative spondyloarthropathies'. These conditions are the most common form of inflammatory arthritis in white populations and occur worldwide. One third of the risk of developing AS is determined by genes within a region called the 'major histocompatibility complex' (MHC), in addition to the gene HLA-B27, the main gene causing AS. We aim to identify the remaining MHC genes.
The Immunogenetics Of Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Genetic And Functional Investigation Of IL23R And Related Genes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$536,679.00
Summary
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a common inflammatory arthritis which causes primarily back pain and stiffness, and affects 1-250 individuals. Our group identified association between tagging genetic markers in the gene IL23R and AS, and our preliminary data suggests some related genes are involved as well. This study aims to identify the key genetic variants involved and determine the mechanism by which they cause AS.
There is a need to improve early detection, monitoring of relapse, and treatments for melanoma, to increase long-term survival. My research vision is to use innovative and cutting edge approaches to conduct a range of complementary studies under three broad but inter-related themes: Theme 1 – Genetic predisposition to melanoma in the general population; Theme 2 – Genetic predisposition to melanoma in high-density families; Theme 3 – Somatic aberrations underlying melanoma development.
The Role Of Insulin Hypersecretion In Beta Cell Dysfunction In Type 2 Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,622.00
Summary
The treatment of diabetes involves the use of drugs that stimulate the release of insulin from the pancreas to reduce the high blood sugar levels. However, we believe that while in the short term this is a good strategy, in the long-term it damages the cells that produce insulin leading to a worsening state of diabetes. It is the aim of this application to understand the mechanisms by which the insulin producing cells are damaged when forced to oversecrete insulin.
Leukaemia, the most common form of childhood cancer, constitutes an important component of Australia's overall cancer burden. We aim to improve our understanding of the genetic and familial contributions to this disease. By establishing the Victorian Paediatric Family Cancer Study, we have evidence of a relationship between maternal age, onset of leukaema and overall risk of cancer in the family. We aim to determine if this finding is genetically based, implying a larger inherited component than ....Leukaemia, the most common form of childhood cancer, constitutes an important component of Australia's overall cancer burden. We aim to improve our understanding of the genetic and familial contributions to this disease. By establishing the Victorian Paediatric Family Cancer Study, we have evidence of a relationship between maternal age, onset of leukaema and overall risk of cancer in the family. We aim to determine if this finding is genetically based, implying a larger inherited component than previously recognized.Read moreRead less
A Genome Wide Association Study For Alcohol And Nicotine Addiction Susceptibility Genes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$872,816.00
Summary
Alcohol and nicotine addiction are major public health problems within Australia. As well as the personal and economic costs associated with dependence, there is a wide range of downstream health effects from heavy drinking and smoking. This is a proposal for a genome wide association study to systematically screen and identify genetic variants within the Australian population that affects an individual's liability to developing alcohol addiction, nicotine addiction or both.