Role Of SPPL2A On B Cell Survival And Antibody Production In Mice And Humans
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$592,989.00
Summary
B lymphocytes are a specialised type of blood cells that produce antibodies in response to a pathogen or a vaccine. We have recently discovered that all mature B cells depend for their survival on a previously unknown protein called SPPL2A. This application will investigate the molecular mechanism through which SPPL2A contributes to the survival of B cells. We will also investigate if humans with currently unexplained B cell deficiency have mutations in SPPL2A.
Methylation Sensitive Genes And The Transition To Allergic Disease: A Twin Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$493,843.00
Summary
Australia has amongst the highest reported prevalence allergic conditions (including asthma) in the world. Despite this, little is known about how these conditions arise. Mounting evidence implicates environmentally induced disruption of the genetic blueprint via a process known as epigenetics. We are combining the strengths of a unique collection of identical twins where one of a pair is sensitive to house dust mite, with cutting edge genomics, to characterise the pathways leading to allergy in ....Australia has amongst the highest reported prevalence allergic conditions (including asthma) in the world. Despite this, little is known about how these conditions arise. Mounting evidence implicates environmentally induced disruption of the genetic blueprint via a process known as epigenetics. We are combining the strengths of a unique collection of identical twins where one of a pair is sensitive to house dust mite, with cutting edge genomics, to characterise the pathways leading to allergy in children.Read moreRead less
Which Mental Activities And When For Dementia Prevention? The Four Nations Longitudinal Collaboration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$183,218.00
Summary
We will examine the link between lifetime participation in complex mental activities and long term dementia risk in a level of detail not previously possible. Four major studies of brain health from around the world will join forces for the first time to determine which mental activities are most closely linked to protection from dementia, and when during the lifespan these are most important. Mental activity will be assessed using our recently published Lifetime of Experiences Questionnaire.
TELEPHONE COUNSELLING FOR MAINTENANCE OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, WEIGHT LOSS And GLYCAEMIC CONTROL IN TYPE 2 DIABETES
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,285,894.00
Summary
Regular exercise, a healthy diet and weight loss are key to managing type 2 diabetes, yet these are major challenges for most people with diabetes. This study will evaluate the impact of a telephone counselling program to assist people with type 2 diabetes to exercise, eat a healthy diet and lose weight, with the goal of helping them to sustain these changes over the long-term. It is expected that these lifestyle changes will also result in improved blood glucose control and quality of life.
Predicting Renal, Ophthalmic And Heart Events In The Aboriginal Community: The PROPHECY Diabetes Multi-Omics Cohort Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,955,505.00
Summary
Diabetes is at epidemic levels in Indigenous Australians, impairing quality of life, and contributing to poor health. This is a result of rapid development of kidney, heart and eye complications. We have established a large long-term population study among Aboriginal communities within South Australia and will explore the burden, natural history and the social, psychological, environmental, clinical and genomic predictors of diabetes and its complications.
Uncovering The Basis Of Inflammatory And Immunodeficiency Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$15,718,075.00
Summary
A world-class team from 3 institutions, spanning disciplines of clinical and experimental immunology, therapeutics, signalling and genetics, will identify how immune and inflammatory responses are controlled in both health and disease. The major outcomes of this work will be the generation of new knowledge, concepts and approaches to diagnose, prevent and treat the major human health problems of autoimmune diseases, inflammation, allergy and immunodeficiency.
It is feasible to sequence patient genomes but we need to know more about how genetic variants cause complex disease. We have sequenced genomes from patients with immune deficiency and will test the idea that genetic variation causes consistent changes in particular white blood cells, thus providing a bridge between genomic information and clinical diagnosis. Outcomes will include more accurate diagnosis, better understanding of immunity, and a strategy for using whole genome information.
Investigating B Cell Development, Maintenance And High-affinity Antibody Production By ENU Mutagenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,388.00
Summary
B cells are essential for the protection against infections. This application aims to identify new genes that are crucial for the development or function of B cells and will investigate how mutations in newly discovered genes contribute to defects in the development and function of B cells and the pathogenesis of B cell leukaemia.
Dynamic Trafficking Of Amino Acid Transporters At Synapses And Their Role In Regulating Neurotransmission
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$421,219.00
Summary
Brain cells release chemical neurotransmitters to activate their neighbours. The most abundant neurotransmitter is glutamate, which mediates most of the communication in the brain. Following release, this neurotransmitter must be rapidly recycled to prevent levels being depleted and neurotransmission failing. The subject of this grant is to understand what molecules and pathways are used to recycle glutamate in the brain, and how its supply is controlled to sustain continual brain activation.
Alpha-particles linked to recombinant antibodies targeting tumour cells have potential to effectively treat tumours while minimising normal tissue side effects. We will explore a novel alpha-particle therapy approach to solid tumours, by delivering 225Ac directly into tumour cells, or into cells that support the tumour (microenvironment). This approach will hopefully result in development of a new approach to treatment of cancers that are resistant to conventional therapies.