The discoveries made to date and the proposed studies point to an intrinsic role for vitamin D compounds in skin in providing protection from sun damage. As a result of sun exposure, increased concentrations of vitamin D compounds in skin will be generated and this is likely to provide protection against further UV damage, in much the same way as increased pigmentation and increased thickness of the outer layer of skin. Furthermore, the studies are designed to test whether vitamin D compounds wh ....The discoveries made to date and the proposed studies point to an intrinsic role for vitamin D compounds in skin in providing protection from sun damage. As a result of sun exposure, increased concentrations of vitamin D compounds in skin will be generated and this is likely to provide protection against further UV damage, in much the same way as increased pigmentation and increased thickness of the outer layer of skin. Furthermore, the studies are designed to test whether vitamin D compounds which have minimal effects on serum calcium, could nevertheless be used topically in association with a sunscreen or moisturizer to add to sun protection. As Australia has the highest skin cancer rates in the world, this would be of significant health and economic value.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms Of Photoprotection By Vitamin D And Analogs
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$438,186.00
Summary
Our discoveries have clearly shown that vitamin D compounds produced in skin due to UV exposure, have a role in protecting skin from further UV damage. The studies are designed to further examine the mechanism of this photoprotective effect, as it appears to be novel. This will aid in the developmentof agents, which could be used as an after-sun lotion to gain some protection. As Australia has the highest skin cancer rates in the world, this would be of significant health and economic value.
Do ‘classical’ Or ‘oxidative’ UVR-induced DNA Adducts Drive Melanoma Induction After Ultraviolet Radiation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$335,757.00
Summary
There is debate about the mechanisms by which sun exposure influences melanoma development. This leads to difficulties in formulating adequate sunscreens and guidelines for safe levels of exposure. We will elucidate the critical UV-induced DNA adducts that are necessary for MM development. This will introduce experimental evidence into the debate about sun exposure and melanoma. The use of post sunburn creams containing enzymes which rapidly remove the dangerous DNA adducts will be indicated.
Is CYP11A1 Critical For The Vitamin D Photoprotective System In Skin?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$517,567.00
Summary
Sunlight produces DNA damage. When inadequately repaired, this damage produces skin cancer. The vitamin D system in skin helps protect against this skin damage, but the vitamin D compounds involved and how they work is unclear. Recent data shows new vitamin D compounds with photoprotective activity and that vitamin D compounds increased expression of DNA repair proteins. These studies may enable pharmacological enhancement of protection from sunlight.
The Centre for Research Excellence in Sun and Health (CRESH) aims to build an evidence base that will lead to the development of regionally appropriate public health guidelines that will balance the adverse and beneficial effects of sun exposure to optimise the health of the Australian community.
Mechanisms Defining Microfibril And Elastic Fibre Assembly, Structure And Function.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$619,721.00
Summary
Elastic fibres are important in tissues such as arteries, lung and skin where they provide elasticity. Disruption of their normal structure and function is a major aspect of common diseases such as atherosclerosis, aneurisms, heart valve prolapse, emphysema, and the congenital disorder, Marfan syndrome. Elastic fibres consist of a core of the protein elastin surrounded by 12 nm glycoprotein microfibrils. During development the microfibrils always appear before the elastin and seem to act as a sc ....Elastic fibres are important in tissues such as arteries, lung and skin where they provide elasticity. Disruption of their normal structure and function is a major aspect of common diseases such as atherosclerosis, aneurisms, heart valve prolapse, emphysema, and the congenital disorder, Marfan syndrome. Elastic fibres consist of a core of the protein elastin surrounded by 12 nm glycoprotein microfibrils. During development the microfibrils always appear before the elastin and seem to act as a scaffold for the deposition of its precursor, tropoelastin. However knowledge of the role of each glycoprotein in the assembly, architecture, function and cell biology of microfibrils and elastic fibres is still very limited. Our laboratory has identified, cloned and characterised several microfibrillar proteins and we are uniquely placed to exploit our expertise and unique range of research tools to elucidate the mechanisms involved in the above processes. The Specific Aims are to determine a) the roles of individual components and associated proteins in microfibril and elastic fibre biology b) the architecture of microfibrils and the relationship of their structural heterogeneity to function during tissue development, c) the mechanisms responsible for microfibril and elastic fibre assembly, and other microfibril interactions with the cell surface, d) the gene regulatory mechanisms controlling expression of individual microfibrillar proteins and e) causative mutations of non-fibrillin genes in Marfan-like congenital disorders. The research will greatly increase our fundamental knowledge of the factors controlling the complex molecular mechanisms involved in microfibril assembly and elastic fibre formation, including the roles of individual microfibril-associated proteins, cell surface receptors, cellular processing, and gene regulation of these processes during normal development, which is essential before the full role of elastic fibres in major diseases can be understood.Read moreRead less
Epidemiology Of Human Papillomavirus (Hpv), Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation In Relation To Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,000.00
Summary
Queensland epidemiologist, Professor Adele Green is the winner of an Australian-European Union medical research grant that she will use to investigate prevention of skin cancer. The prestigious NHMRC grant is intended to support Australian researchers involved in European collaboration, which will benefit the Australian community. Professor Green and her research group will use the grant to participate in a large consortium led by Dr Jan Nico Bouwes Bavinck from Leiden in the Netherlands, with t ....Queensland epidemiologist, Professor Adele Green is the winner of an Australian-European Union medical research grant that she will use to investigate prevention of skin cancer. The prestigious NHMRC grant is intended to support Australian researchers involved in European collaboration, which will benefit the Australian community. Professor Green and her research group will use the grant to participate in a large consortium led by Dr Jan Nico Bouwes Bavinck from Leiden in the Netherlands, with teams of researchers based in Germany, England, Italy and France. The work of the consortium will focus on finding out whether Human Papilloma Virus plays a role in causing skin cancer. Professor Green and her team are working to discover the relationship between Human Papilloma Virus, which is a common virus of the skin and the commonest types of skin cancer. If the papilloma virus is found to cause skin cancer, this will open up new avenues for prevention. Although Australia is a world hot-spot for skin cancer, the disease is of concern to Europeans because it is the most common form of cancer in white-skinned people.Read moreRead less