Plasticity In The Thalamic Reticular Nucleus During Normal And Altered Postnatal Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$392,036.00
Summary
Thalamic centres concerned with vision send information through the thalamic reticular nucleus to multiple cortical areas in which different aspects of the visual world are analysed. These cortical areas in turn send connections back through the reticular nucleus to the thalamus. Cortical function ultimately depends on the correct connections being established between the sensory receptors and the thalamus and between the thalamus and cortex. Far from being merely a relay station of peripheral s ....Thalamic centres concerned with vision send information through the thalamic reticular nucleus to multiple cortical areas in which different aspects of the visual world are analysed. These cortical areas in turn send connections back through the reticular nucleus to the thalamus. Cortical function ultimately depends on the correct connections being established between the sensory receptors and the thalamus and between the thalamus and cortex. Far from being merely a relay station of peripheral sensory information the dorsal thalamus modifies and interacts with the flow of information around the brain. The reticular nucleus forms an integral part of this information flow. How these connections develop and are modified by disturbance to the visual pathway is crucial to our understanding of brain function. To this end, we will study the connections between three areas of the brain concerned with vision, the thalamic reticular nucleus, the thalamus and the visual cortices. We will focus our study on the development of the reticular nucleus and the importance of a normal visual environment in establishing the proper connections between different brain areas. The importance of studying normal and abnormal development is that it can provide a description of the kinds of experience leading to specific types of neural abnormalites. This information tells us the degree to which connections are malleable and is of potential clinical importance.Read moreRead less
Allosteric Targeting Of The Dopamine D2 Receptor: A Novel Approach For The Treatment Of Parkinson’s Disease And Schizophrenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$469,644.00
Summary
The dopamine D2 receptor is a brain protein that is the target for drugs that are used in the treatment of schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease (PD). In both cases the current drugs have significant side effects because they simply act to switch the receptor off or on respectively. We will focus on a new class of drugs that, because they act to tune up or tune down the activity of the D2 receptor, may be a safer more effective approach to treat these disorders.
Characterising The Novel Signalling Mechanism For A New Interferon
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$525,485.00
Summary
We have discovered a new regulatory protein called interferon epsilon, made in the female reproductive tract and is crucial for protection against bacterial( Chlamydia) and viral (Herpes Simplex Virus) infections. However, we are yet to understand how it interacts with target cells. This grant will study how IFN? binds to cells and the nature of the signals it transmits. This will help us understand its role in disease and its clinical potential
The Structure And Composition Of The T-cell Receptor-CD3 Complex
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$434,644.00
Summary
Our research will provide a fundamental advance in our understanding of how foreign viruses and pathogens trigger the immune system. Gaining a greater understanding of these central events will facilitate the design of novel therapies to treat immune associated disorders such as transplant rejection, autoimmune disease and some cancers.
An Interdisciplinary Approach Towards Antiviral Therapy Discovery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,000,000.00
Summary
Viruses cause significant life-threatening diseases and our armament against viral infections is extremely limited. When coupled with resistance development, humanity is at the mercy of existing and emerging life-threatening viruses. This project will provide new insight into how clinically- significant viruses that cause flu, croup and hand foot and mouth disease attack human cells, as well as discover new drug candidates that combat these viruses.
Interactions Between RAGE And The Type 1 Angiotensin Receptor Determine The Pro-atherosclerotic Actions Of Angiotensin II
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$521,956.00
Summary
Heart attacks and strokes are a major cause of death and disability in Australians. Activation of the renin angiotensin system plays a key role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis, the process that leads to narrowing and obstruction of arteries. In preliminary data we have found a way to block these pathways without affecting the control of blood pressure. We believe that interventions based on these data will be important for the prevention and treatment of heart disease.