Identification Of Porphyromonas Gingivalis Genes Required For Iron/haem Acquisition And Biofilm Formation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$476,836.00
Summary
Periodontal diseases are some of the most common bacterial diseases of humans and along with dental caries, account for approximately 90% of all tooth loss in the Australian population. A recent survey of oral health in Australia found that in the 30-34 age group over 20% of people had moderate to severe periodontal disease, indicating that periodontitis is a major public health problem. Specific bacteria, especially Porphyromonas gingivalis, that grow as bacterial biofilms (dental plaque) cause ....Periodontal diseases are some of the most common bacterial diseases of humans and along with dental caries, account for approximately 90% of all tooth loss in the Australian population. A recent survey of oral health in Australia found that in the 30-34 age group over 20% of people had moderate to severe periodontal disease, indicating that periodontitis is a major public health problem. Specific bacteria, especially Porphyromonas gingivalis, that grow as bacterial biofilms (dental plaque) cause periodontal disease. In this study we will utilise the latest technology available to determine which genes of the bacterium are important for biofilm growth, iron acquisition and virulence in an animal model. We will investigate how the bacterium acquires iron, as there is usually little available iron for bacterial growth on human tissues and the ability of the bacterium to free itself from this iron limitation is associated with pathogenicity. The determination of the role of iron availability in biofilm formation and virulence of the bacterium will help us to understand the changes that occur in the initiation of disease and may allow the development of early intervention strategies. The significance of this work is that we will gain an understanding of how this bacterium functions as an opportunistic human pathogen. We will determine which genes are essential for growth as a biofilm and to produce disease in an animal model. This will enable the development of therapeutic and prophylactic interventions targeted to specific bacterial gene products required to produce disease.Read moreRead less
Periodontal Mesenchymal Stem Cells For Periodontal Regeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$358,000.00
Summary
Dental diseases affecting the gums (periodontal disease) are extremely prevalent in our society. The effects of periodontal disease can be particularly severe as loss of support for the teeth leads to loose teeth and severely compromised masticatory function. If left untreated, the associated pain and loss of function may necessitate extraction of the teeth. We have recently identified cells residing in the periodontal ligament which may be adult stem cells. This project will further characteriz ....Dental diseases affecting the gums (periodontal disease) are extremely prevalent in our society. The effects of periodontal disease can be particularly severe as loss of support for the teeth leads to loose teeth and severely compromised masticatory function. If left untreated, the associated pain and loss of function may necessitate extraction of the teeth. We have recently identified cells residing in the periodontal ligament which may be adult stem cells. This project will further characterize these cells and explore whether they can be used to restore periodontal tissues damaged by periodontal disease.Read moreRead less
CHAPERONES IN BREAST CANCER AND ESTROGEN RECEPTOR FUNCTION
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$256,573.00
Summary
Resistance to hormone therapy in breast cancer is due to adaptations of estrogen signalling mechanisms that result in ERa activation causing growth. So, in the search for new treatments, we are looking for ways to remove ERa from the breast cancer cell. Our study addresses this major issue by focussing on Hsp90 molecular chaperone machinery that is essential for ERa function and in particular immunophilin 'helper' cochaperones that form part of receptor-Hsp90 complexes and fine-tune receptor res ....Resistance to hormone therapy in breast cancer is due to adaptations of estrogen signalling mechanisms that result in ERa activation causing growth. So, in the search for new treatments, we are looking for ways to remove ERa from the breast cancer cell. Our study addresses this major issue by focussing on Hsp90 molecular chaperone machinery that is essential for ERa function and in particular immunophilin 'helper' cochaperones that form part of receptor-Hsp90 complexes and fine-tune receptor responses to hormone. Through a novel mode of action, coumarin-based Hsp90 inhibitors disrupt Hsp90 dimerization causing receptor release and subsequent depletion. We will confirm this novel mechanism for new, high affinity Hsp90 inhibitors and determine which can best interfere with estrogen signalling, either alone or in combination with antiestrogen therapies in the treatment of hormone-dependent cancers. Our study has the potential to pin point the site of action of the immunophilins in ERa to a proline in a region critical for ligand-induced receptoractivation. We will determine the role of the immunophilins and this active-site proline residue in modulating receptor stability and function. Aberrant expression of receptor-associated immunophilins appears linked to endocrine resistance and metastasis in breast cancer. Our study will profile the expression of these chaperones in well defined breast cancer tissue microarrays, and has the potential to identify them as informative biomarkers in the treatment of the disease.Read moreRead less
Deciphering The Metabolic And Endocrine Profile Of Healthy Adipocytes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$563,194.00
Summary
Obesity is associated with the development of metabolic diseases, however, it is becoming clear that it is where the excess fat is stored that is more important when predicting the health risks associated with obesity. This project aims to identify whether adipocyte progenitor cells, which eventually become fat cells, are ‘preprogrammed’ and whether differences in these cells explain the generation of either healthy or unhealthy fat in different locations of the body.
To Repair An Osteo-chondral Defect In An Experimental Rabbit Model Using A Structured 3D Nano-composite Scaffold Loaded With Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$92,314.00
Summary
The treatment of cartilage damage is a major problem in orthopaedic practice. The use of a 3D scaffold may overcome many challenges associated with cartilage and bone repair and regeneration. The aim of this research is to culture bone and cartilage cells into a prefabricated scaffold which may then be tested in an animal model. The results of this research may offer a new method of treating post-traumatic and osteoarthritic defects.
A Study Of Various Bone Scaffolds In A Maxillary Sinus Model
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$61,711.00
Summary
This project investigates using animal derived and artificial bone in regions of the mouth that are deficient and not suitable for replacing missing teeth using dental implants. Traditional techniques of bone replacement require the use of a patient's own bone. These procedures are associated with post-operative morbidity and this bone is present in limited quantity. The use of these bone replacements may overcome these challenges and eliminate the need for using patient's bone.
Comparison Of Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells And Induced Pluripotent Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells For Periodontal Regeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$831,955.00
Summary
In the first part of this study we will determine whether induced pluripotent stem cells or adult stem cells from the periodontal ligament are better candidates for periodontal regeneration. Secondly, using CAD/CAM technology we will make tissue engineering scaffolds tailored to fit periodontal defects and seeded with stem cells to improve on current techniques used to regenerate damaged tissues around teeth affected by periodontal disease.
Dental diseases affecting the gums (periodontal diseases) are extremely prevalent in our society. The effects of periodontal disease can be particularly severe as loss of support for the teeth leads to loose teeth and severely compromised chewing function. If left untreated, the associated loss of function may necessitate extraction of the teeth. We have recently identified cells residing in the periodontal ligament which may be adult stem cells. This project will further characterize these cell ....Dental diseases affecting the gums (periodontal diseases) are extremely prevalent in our society. The effects of periodontal disease can be particularly severe as loss of support for the teeth leads to loose teeth and severely compromised chewing function. If left untreated, the associated loss of function may necessitate extraction of the teeth. We have recently identified cells residing in the periodontal ligament which may be adult stem cells. This project will further characterize these cells and explore whether they can be used to restore periodontal tissues damaged by periodontal disease.Read moreRead less
Development Of Targeted Therapies To Reverse The Effects Of Ageing And Disease On Wound Healing And Tissue Generation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$391,228.00
Summary
Despite success with the production of new tissues and organs in laboratory animals, tissue engineering in humans remains elusive. Emerging evidence suggests that ageing and diseases such as diabetes can adversely affect human stem cell regenerative capacity. Characterizing the effects of ageing and disease on stem cells during tissue generation is the first step in reversing these effects, paving the way for the production of new tissues and organs for use in human clinical trials.