Identifying Genetic Risk Factors And Elucidating The Underlying Mechanism(s) Of Parkinsons Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$85,855.00
Summary
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder affecting 1% of people over 65. This innovative research seeks to discover new genetic risk factors that affect disease development. This provides the capability for genetic screening to identify individuals at risk for PD so preventative measures can be employed at an earlier stage. This information will also provide insights as to how the disease occurs and suggest drug targets to improve current partially effective therapy.
Genetic Variants, Phenotypic Spectrum And Breast Cancer Risk Associated With Germline Mutations In PALB2: Identifying Female PALB2 Mutation Carriers At The Time Of Diagnosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$45,093.00
Summary
Population studies of female breast cancer (BC) show only a small proportion of familial aspects of BC can be explained by current knowledge of its causes. Women carrying PALB2 mutations who also have a strong family history of BC are of increased risk of BC. Our work will further define the risks and devise criteria to identify women most likely to carry PALB2 mutations. This will help prioritize testing, classify PALB2 variants and provide appropriate clinical management to carriers.
Understanding The Relative Influence Of Parents And Peers Upon Young Driver Behaviour During Graduated Driver Licensing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$124,361.00
Summary
Young drivers across the globe are killed in crashes at rates far exceeding older, more experienced drivers. Queensland and NSW have recently implemented graduated licensing programmes incorporating vehicle, journey and passenger restrictions in an attempt to reduce the road toll. The manner and extent friends and family influence the risky behaviour of young drivers is unknown and will be explored, including modeling of behaviours and attitudes, rewards and punishments.
Designing Novel Apolipoprotein A1 Mimetic Peptides As Drug Treatment For Atherosclerosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$60,016.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease is the formation of atherosclerotic plaques caused by the imbalance between the amount of cholesterol delivered and removed from the arteries. Apolipoprotein A-1 (ApoA-1) is the main protein of high density lipoprotein (HDL) and removes cholesterol out of cell. In this project we are aimed at designing and testing new drugs (ApoA1-mimetic peptides) which will elicit the same anti-atherogenic properties as apoA-1, as a therapeutic agent for prevention of atherosclerosis.