Role Of Epigenomic Changes In Conferring Hyperglycemic Memory
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$636,146.00
Summary
The major burden of type I diabetes remains its vascular complications including diabetes-accelerated athersclerosis. Despite improved glucose control, diabetic individuals develop complications as a result of prior poor glycemic control. Although the development and progression of these diabetic complications is strongly associated with mean levels of glucose, recent studies suggest that the deleterious effects of early exposure to high levels of glucose persist for years even after treatment h ....The major burden of type I diabetes remains its vascular complications including diabetes-accelerated athersclerosis. Despite improved glucose control, diabetic individuals develop complications as a result of prior poor glycemic control. Although the development and progression of these diabetic complications is strongly associated with mean levels of glucose, recent studies suggest that the deleterious effects of early exposure to high levels of glucose persist for years even after treatment has returned glucose levels towards normal.Read moreRead less
The Role Of Dicarbonyl-derived AGEs And RAGE In Diabetes Associated Atherosclerosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,617.00
Summary
Based on our pilot data we postulate that glucose derived molecules such as methylglyoxal (MGO) have effects on inflammation and oxidative stress leading to accelerated atherosclerosis in diabetes. Our studies aim to identify novel treatments which block these effects thus leading to superior protection and prevention of atherosclerosis in diabetes.
Local Sleep In The Awake Brain: An Underlying Cause Of Neurobehavioural Deficits In Sleep Apnea?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$582,330.00
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder which significantly impacts daytime functioning leading to excessive sleepiness, and problems with attention and thinking. Currently, the causes for cognitive impairment in OSA (including attentional lapses and performance deficits) are poorly understood. In the awake state, groups of neurons can briefly go “offline” as they do in sleep. These periods of “local sleep” may explain impaired task performance in OSA.
New Generation Antiplatelet Therapies To Prevent Preeclampsia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$483,148.00
Summary
Preeclampsia, a major complication of pregnancy, affects around 3-8% of pregnancies. Sadly, there is no way to prevent or delay disease. We have uncovered antiplatelet agents, used to prevent heart disease and stroke, may provide health benefits to women at risk of developing preeclampsia. We will test whether these agents can prevent the pathophysiology of preeclampsia in specialized human & mouse models developed in our laboratory. This work may provide a prevention strategy for preeclampsia.
RAGE And ACE2 Shedding As Therapeutic Targets In Diabetes And Cardiovascular Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$748,447.00
Summary
We have previously demonstrated the pivotal role of two shed proteins, Receptor for Advanced Glycation End-products (RAGE) and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Receptor 2 (ACE2) in heart disease and diabetic complications. In this project, we will use a novel technologies to modify shedding of these proteins from the cell surface and alter their ability to cause disease.
Epigenetic Determinants Of Nephropathy In Adults With Type 1 Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$532,118.00
Summary
The prevention and successful management of diabetic complications are issues of utmost importance for the health of Australians. We hypothesize that epigenetic pathways partly determine why some individuals with diabetes develop complications of their disease, while others do not, despite a similar duration of diabetes, treatment intensity and mean glucose exposure.
Benefits And Safety Of IRon Supplementation With MAlaria Chemoprevention To Children In Malawi (IRMA) - A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,064,309.00
Summary
Anaemia and malaria frequently coexist in low income settings e.g. sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Iron interventions aim to reduce anaemia but exacerbate malaria. We aim to test whether iron is made safe by coadministering malaria prevention, and whether these interventions improve child health outcomes especially cognitive development, while ensuring malaria resistance does not emerge.
In 2013 there were ~200 million clinical cases of malaria, causing ~600,000 deaths. All antimalarial drugs are now associated with malaria parasite resistance. Thus, new therapies are urgently needed, including new drugs to prevent this disease. We have made the exciting discovery that an existing antimalarial drug can kill malaria parasites in a unique, previously unknown, manner. Here, we will investigate how this occurs and develop new drug candidates for malaria prevention.
A Longitudinal Neuroimaging Study Investigating Reorganisation Of Cerebellar-cerebral Networks In Friedreich Ataxia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$816,908.00
Summary
Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) causes debilitating motor and cognitive deficits. We propose a longitudinal multi-modal magnetic resonance (MR) imaging study to measure different types of tissue in the brain in this disease. We seek to understand how the brain reorganises itself due to cell loss in the spinal cord, cerebellum and cerebral cortex. This study will establish sensitivity of a range of MR imaging measures as potential biomarkers for use in large multi-centre drug trials in this disease.
Evaluating Cancer Screening: Context, Evidence, Values And Ethics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$572,460.00
Summary
The research and clinical communities are divided over whether certain forms of cancer screening do more harm than good. This project asks: What is the right thing to do about cancer screening now? Using robust qualitative methodologies, we will study real cases of cancer screening and analyse their ethical implications. Drawing on this data and analysis, we will produce tools to help policy-makers, consumers and professionals make good decisions about cancer screening in future.