Understanding The Mechanisms Underlying Airway Remodelling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$451,716.00
Summary
Changes in the structure of the lung contribute to the development of disease, but are not responsive to our current therapies. I have found two key structural proteins that are altered in asthma. This research will characterise the regulation and role of these proteins in the disease process. In addition, it will determine if these proteins also contribute to the development of other serious fibrotic diseases, for which there are no current treatments.
Preventing Complications Of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$310,914.00
Summary
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a devastating lung disease that affects smokers. Lung complications and complications in other organs occur commonly. This study will examine factors that lead to exacerbations of COPD, and test the effectiveness of early diagnosis of coronary artery disease using CT scans.
Telemonitoring Of Lung Function Variability In Asthma And Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,180.00
Summary
In Australia, asthma is highly prevalent, while chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is the fourth leading cause of male deaths; both are a significant burden on the health system. There are currently no objective ways to assess disease status or future risk of deterioration. I aim to use home telemonitoring technology and novel, sophisticated analysis methods to describe the variability of disease over time and potentially change the way we manage chronic lung diseases.
Airway scarring, or airway fibrosis, is a pathological process by which the airway tissue is progressively replaced with scar tissue. This change makes it difficult for people to breathe. I have developed novel in-vitro models which enables us to understand why fibrosis is occurring, and in my research fellowship I aim to uncover new ways of treating fibrosis in lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Airway fibrosis or scaring causes significant morbidity in both chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma . These diseases affect 10-15% of the population, and cost the health system $1.15 billion per year. Airway fibrosis is not decreased by the current therapeutics used to treat COPD and asthma, and as such there is a pressing need to develop therapeutics to specifically treat airway fibrosis. Dr Brian Oliver has partnered with Pharmaxis to develop new therapeutics to specificall ....Airway fibrosis or scaring causes significant morbidity in both chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma . These diseases affect 10-15% of the population, and cost the health system $1.15 billion per year. Airway fibrosis is not decreased by the current therapeutics used to treat COPD and asthma, and as such there is a pressing need to develop therapeutics to specifically treat airway fibrosis. Dr Brian Oliver has partnered with Pharmaxis to develop new therapeutics to specifically treat fibrosisRead moreRead less
Investigatin The Causes Of Failed Efferocytosis In COPD-emphysema With A View To Identifying Novel Theraputic Targets
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$380,558.00
Summary
COPD is a leading cause of death. Smoking is the major cause of COPD and many sufferers are left with permanent damage and need ongoing treatment even after smoking cessation. Current treatments for COPD generally have limited efficacy. The project will identify the reason for the large number of dying cells and defective clearance of these cells that we have identified in the airways in COPD and study novel treatments that we hope will improve the health and well being of those with COPD.
Immune Balance-regulating Interleukins As Targets For Immunotherapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$473,477.00
Summary
The immune balance is crucial to human health. Interleukins are a group of proteins secreted by immune cells to mediate their communication. They tune up or down immune responses, thus as attractive targets for immunotherapy to restore the immune balance to treat autoimmune diseases, allergies and infections. This fellowship will support translational research to develop Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-21-based novel immunotherapies for autoimmune disease, infection and allergy.
New Strategies To Guide Tuberculosis Elimination In High And Low-prevalence Settings
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$262,220.00
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial disease that affects more than 10 million people worldwide each year. Dr Fox is clinical trialist with a rapidly growing international profile and demonstrated capacity to lead multi-centre studies in Asia. During this Fellowship, he will lead six studies - three in Australia and three in Vietnam –aiming to reduce the impact of TB among high-risk populations.
Enhanced Translation Of Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Protein, EBNA1, As A Target Fot T Cell-based Immunotherapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$380,558.00
Summary
Epstein-Barr virus, (EBV) is a human herpesvirus associated with a range of human cancers. EBNA1, an important EBV antigen, was thought to be “immunologically silent” however, recent studies from our laboratory show that EBNA1 is recognized by our body's defence system and these observations raise the possibility that EBNA1 may be an exploitable, immuno-therapy target for treating EBV-associated cancers.
Genomic-based Tools To Support The Control Of Urogenital Schistosomiasis And Hepatic Opisthorchiasis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,180.00
Summary
Over 100 million people are affected by parasitic flukes that promote malignant tumours. Parasite control depends on a single drug, making resistance an imminent threat. I will deliver new genomic tools to unravel the complex interactions between parasites and humans, and explore parasite population diversity on a continental scale. I will then prioritise a panel of anti-parasitic drug targets and vaccine candidates to deliver the next generation of interventions against parasitic diseases.