Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120102961
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
The role of the unfolded protein response in tau neurobiology and pathology. The main role of the protein tau is the stabilisation of the scaffolding of cells. In a group of dementias, tau forms abnormal clumps within the cells of the brain causing them to die. This project will investigate the cellular processes involved in normally preventing tau proteins from clumping and their role in the development of the abnormal tau clumps.
Prediction of tissue fate and functional outcome in acute ischemic stroke with advanced imaging analysis - experimental validation and translational studies. Stroke is predominantly a disease of ageing and the commonest cause of adult disability. In Australia, 55,000 people have a stroke each year (>80% are over age 65). The total number of strokes per year worldwide will rise 60% within the next two decades as the proportion of elderly in our population increases. This research will improve bra ....Prediction of tissue fate and functional outcome in acute ischemic stroke with advanced imaging analysis - experimental validation and translational studies. Stroke is predominantly a disease of ageing and the commonest cause of adult disability. In Australia, 55,000 people have a stroke each year (>80% are over age 65). The total number of strokes per year worldwide will rise 60% within the next two decades as the proportion of elderly in our population increases. This research will improve brain imaging selection for acute stroke therapies in clinical trials and practice. Better acute stroke therapies limit the size of brain damage from stroke and reduce long-term disability. Thus, this research will directly translate into allowing our population to 'age well and productively'.Read moreRead less
The Genetic Analysis of Neurological Diseases. Multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's are debilitating neurodegenerative diseases, which affect 16,000 and 80,000 Australians, respectively. Between them, these diseases cost the community $7.8 billion per annum, and there is no cure. This proposal will study the genes that influence a person's predisposition to developing these diseases, and what makes some people have particular characteristics. It will provide novel insights into the diseases themse ....The Genetic Analysis of Neurological Diseases. Multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's are debilitating neurodegenerative diseases, which affect 16,000 and 80,000 Australians, respectively. Between them, these diseases cost the community $7.8 billion per annum, and there is no cure. This proposal will study the genes that influence a person's predisposition to developing these diseases, and what makes some people have particular characteristics. It will provide novel insights into the diseases themselves and information that could help in the development of new and more effective drugs, and biomarkers to assist in the prediction of prognosis. Such advances would decrease the economic impact of these diseases and improve quality of life for those affected.Read moreRead less
New tools to activate and silence neural circuits. Many neurological disorders occur as a result of neuron cell death that is initiated by excessive levels of excitatory activity in central nervous system neurons. This project will develop and validate a new treatment for these disorders that involves silencing excessive neuronal activity using a safe, commonly prescribed drug.
Investigating the neuroprotective actions of metallo-complexes. Metal-based drugs offer an exciting new approach to treatment of neurodegeneration. However, little is known about how cells metabolise these drugs: information that is critical for further drug development. This project will determine how metal-based drugs are metabolized by neuronal cells and how this may result in therapeutic benefit.
Gene-environment interactions mediating experience-dependent plasticity in the healthy and diseased brain. The aim of this project is to understand how genes and environment combine to affect susceptibility to various brain disorders, using models of human diseases and manipulating environmental factors such as mental and physical activity. The project's focus is on neurological and psychiatric disorders, including Huntington's disease, depression, schizophrenia and autism.
Studying the impact of pulsed magnetic fields on neural tissue. This project will determine the optimal parameters of pulsed magnetic fields for treating the ageing and/or damaged brain. The safety features, low cost and compact size of the medical device being investigated maximise compliance and make it relevant to populations in remote and rural areas.
Pontine control of adaptive breathing behaviour in health and disease. This project will develop an understanding of the fundamental brain mechanisms associated with adaptive breathing during behaviour such as speech or swallowing. Adaptive breathing is impaired in lung disease, dementia and autism. This project will provide new insight to global brain function and treatment of central respiratory disorder.
Increasing the utility of tetanus toxins by protein engineering. There are a variety of common diseases that are the result of muscular defects. Some of these may be able to be treated with an agent that increases muscle tone, thereby giving benefit to the patient in the alleviation of symptoms. This project aims to use some of the most potent substances known, bacterial toxins, and engineer them to be valuable agents for treatment of certain muscular disorders.
The role of P2X7 and P2X4 receptor mediated innate phagocytosis in pathogenesis and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. This project will identify how inherited variation in two proteins of the brain can accelerate the removal of neurones and predispose to a range of neurodegenerative diseases. Knowledge of the biological basis of this finding will allow a search for new compounds which will slow and protect against this form of neurodegeneration.