Microbial Indicators For The Conservative Therapy Of Dentinal Caries.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$429,129.00
Summary
Recent developments in dental restorative materials create potential for conservative therapy of advanced tooth decay by sealing in the complex infecting microbial populations. Our studies have disclosed these microbial populations and indicated patterns. Planned analysis will follow the fate of bacterial populations that are sealed in this manner to determine the relationship to either resolution or progression of the lesion, leading to diagnostic indicators for clinical management.
Regulation Of Bone Resorption In Periodontal Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$258,500.00
Summary
Periodontal disease is the most common disease involving bone loss in the world. We know little about the causes and how the disease develops. Some of the bacteria that live in the mouth are associated with the disease but the presence of these bacteria does not mean a person will have it. We do not know why some people suffer from the disease and others do not. Unfortunately when a person has periodontal disease the dentist has few choices in the way in which the patient is treated. There are n ....Periodontal disease is the most common disease involving bone loss in the world. We know little about the causes and how the disease develops. Some of the bacteria that live in the mouth are associated with the disease but the presence of these bacteria does not mean a person will have it. We do not know why some people suffer from the disease and others do not. Unfortunately when a person has periodontal disease the dentist has few choices in the way in which the patient is treated. There are no drugs presently available to treat this disease and surgical removal of the diseased tissue is the only option for treatment. Often after this treatment the disease continues to get worse and more bone is lost sometimes resulting in the loss of teeth. This study aims to understand how the disease causes the bone loss. We believe that some newly identified factors that regulate the cells which destroy bone are responsible. Our recently works show that these factors are present in abnormal levels in the diseased tissues of patients. We also wish to go further and try and find ways of treating the disease. We aim to find new treatments based on controlling the factors that regulate the cells that destroy bone .Read moreRead less
To study the genetic alterations that give rise to cancer. In particular, exploring how too little death of cells can lead to a tumour. If too few cells in a tissue die, a tumour may develop there. The team is exploring how the cell death process is normally controlled. They plan to characterise the molecules inside cells that determine whether a cell lives or dies and hope that better understanding of those molecules will help to explain how tumours arise. It could also lead to new drugs that c ....To study the genetic alterations that give rise to cancer. In particular, exploring how too little death of cells can lead to a tumour. If too few cells in a tissue die, a tumour may develop there. The team is exploring how the cell death process is normally controlled. They plan to characterise the molecules inside cells that determine whether a cell lives or dies and hope that better understanding of those molecules will help to explain how tumours arise. It could also lead to new drugs that can kill tumour cells more effectively by directly triggering the normal death switch of the cell.Read moreRead less
Centre For Translational Pathology Research And Training
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,677,639.00
Summary
The Centre for Translational Pathology Research and Training is a collaborative network involving nine hospitals and research institutes affiliated with The University of Melbourne. It's goal is train a cadre of molecular pathologists experienced in collaborative multidisciplinary research who can effective translate research discoveries and inventions in to clinically useful diagnostic tests that will enable oncologists to individualise treatment decisions for patients with cancer, based on the ....The Centre for Translational Pathology Research and Training is a collaborative network involving nine hospitals and research institutes affiliated with The University of Melbourne. It's goal is train a cadre of molecular pathologists experienced in collaborative multidisciplinary research who can effective translate research discoveries and inventions in to clinically useful diagnostic tests that will enable oncologists to individualise treatment decisions for patients with cancer, based on the unique biology of the individual's tumour.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
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.
The Effect Of Hepatic Pseudocapillarisation Of Old Age On The Disposition Of Chylomicron Remnants And Chylomicrons
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$204,750.00
Summary
Old age is the major risk factor for atherosclerosis, and vascular disease secondary to atherosclerosis (eg heart attacks and strokes) is the major cause of death and disability in the Western World. As yet there has not been any clear explanation for why old age itself is a risk factor for atherosclerosis. In this study, we are investigating how changes in the liver in old age predispose to hyperlipidaemia and hence vascular disease. We recently discovered changes in the blood vessels of the li ....Old age is the major risk factor for atherosclerosis, and vascular disease secondary to atherosclerosis (eg heart attacks and strokes) is the major cause of death and disability in the Western World. As yet there has not been any clear explanation for why old age itself is a risk factor for atherosclerosis. In this study, we are investigating how changes in the liver in old age predispose to hyperlipidaemia and hence vascular disease. We recently discovered changes in the blood vessels of the liver that occur with old age that we have called pseudocapillarisation. These changes have profound effects on the transport of many substrates including toxins, drugs, oxygen, hormones and lipids from the blood into the liver and thus may explain in part the fact that old age is the major risk factor for many diseases and adverse drug reactions. In this study we are interested in the transfer of fats called chylomicron remnants from blood into the liver. Chylomicron remnants are lipoproteins rich in triglycerides that are produced after meals and broken down by the liver. In order to be metabolised, chylomicron remnants must pass through pores in the liver blood vessels called fenestrations. In old age, we have found that these fenestrations are reduced substantially, which will impair the uptake of chylomicron remnants by the liver, leading to marked increases in fat in the blood stream after meals. In this study, we will examine the effects of old age on the ability of the liver to metabolise chylomicron remnants, in particular focussing on the effects of the age-related loss of fenestrations on chylomicron remnant uptake. As well as providing an understanding of the crucial link between ageing and atherosclerosis, the studies will provide a potential new therapeutic target for the prevention of atherosclerosis in older people.Read moreRead less