Atherosclerosis:Lipoproteins, Cell Biology And Vascular Physiology
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$7,274,391.00
Summary
The team comprises internationally recognised experts in basic, clinical and public health applied research in cardiovascular disease, particularly atherosclerosis that is the commonest cause of death in Australia and other developed countries. Over the last decade, improvement in cardiovascular health has been primarily the result of a better understanding on how to control 'bad' (or LDL) cholesterol. The significance of the proposed studies is that, on the one hand, they will provide new infor ....The team comprises internationally recognised experts in basic, clinical and public health applied research in cardiovascular disease, particularly atherosclerosis that is the commonest cause of death in Australia and other developed countries. Over the last decade, improvement in cardiovascular health has been primarily the result of a better understanding on how to control 'bad' (or LDL) cholesterol. The significance of the proposed studies is that, on the one hand, they will provide new information on how 'good' lipoproteins protect us from atherosclerosis. This information can then be used to regulate 'good' cholesterol in a meaningful manner. On the other hand, the proposed studies will provide fundamental insights into how a range of lifestyle factors, physiological processes and pathological conditions relate to both the function of blood vessel-lining cells and susceptibility of individuals to atherosclerosis.Read moreRead less
The Biology & Therapeutic Manipulation Of Lymphatic Vessels In Cancer & Lymphedema
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,589,101.00
Summary
This proposal brings together a team of researchers from diverse backgrounds who have already made important discoveries about the molecular control of the lymphatic system in normal physiology and cancer. The lymphatic vasculature consists of a network of vessels in organs and tissues that is critical for the regulation of tissue fluid volume and immune function. The lymphatics are also important for the metastatic spread of cancer, as they provide a route by which tumour cells spread to distan ....This proposal brings together a team of researchers from diverse backgrounds who have already made important discoveries about the molecular control of the lymphatic system in normal physiology and cancer. The lymphatic vasculature consists of a network of vessels in organs and tissues that is critical for the regulation of tissue fluid volume and immune function. The lymphatics are also important for the metastatic spread of cancer, as they provide a route by which tumour cells spread to distant sites in the body, and for lymphedema, a condition in which lymphatic dysfunction leads to swelling of tissues. This program will explore the molecular mechanisms that control the growth and differentiation of the lymphatic vessels. It will greatly enhance our understanding of lymphatic vessel growth (lymphangiogenesis) and generate a range of reagents for stimulating or inhibiting this process. These reagents will be tested in animal models for their capacity to modulate lymphatic function in the context of cancer and lymphedema.Read moreRead less
This program of research is firmly focussed on the basic mechanisms involved in normal functioning of cells and tissues, followed by a step by step process to understand the abnormal or the diseased. The disease states we are investigating involve the blood and blood vessels, and when there is malfunction it may contribute to conditions as diverse as atherosclerosis, thrombosis, inflammation and cancer. The program thus addresses the fundamentals of diseases which are responsible for most deaths ....This program of research is firmly focussed on the basic mechanisms involved in normal functioning of cells and tissues, followed by a step by step process to understand the abnormal or the diseased. The disease states we are investigating involve the blood and blood vessels, and when there is malfunction it may contribute to conditions as diverse as atherosclerosis, thrombosis, inflammation and cancer. The program thus addresses the fundamentals of diseases which are responsible for most deaths in our society. We will use technology which is proven to provide precise information, the molecular and biochemical processes responsible for cell function (or malfunction). However in each individual project there will be a clear path to a clinical use, diagnostic or therapeutic. Indeed in a number of the components of the program there are already potential treatments and diagnostics in development and trial.Read moreRead less
Development Of Innovative Approaches To Manage Insect-transmitted Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,435,142.00
Summary
This program grant focuses on the development of new methods to control mosquito-borne diseases, including those caused by dengue, Japanese encephalitis, and chikungunya viruses. We are investigating whether the introduction of Wolbachia micro-organisms into mosquitoes can be used to selectively eliminate old mosquitoes and reduce transmission of human pathogens. We will also determine whether Wolbachia have any non-lethal affects on mosquito behaviours such as dispersal and biting activity whic ....This program grant focuses on the development of new methods to control mosquito-borne diseases, including those caused by dengue, Japanese encephalitis, and chikungunya viruses. We are investigating whether the introduction of Wolbachia micro-organisms into mosquitoes can be used to selectively eliminate old mosquitoes and reduce transmission of human pathogens. We will also determine whether Wolbachia have any non-lethal affects on mosquito behaviours such as dispersal and biting activity which determine the level of contact between mosquitoes and humans.Read moreRead less
Immunity And Pathogenesis In Tropical And Infectious Diseases: Implications For Vaccines And
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$15,794,553.00
Summary
Malaria, streptococcal diseases, helminthiases and scabies are diseases of indigenous people on a massive scale, which lack vaccines. We aim to understand the pathogenesis of these diseases and develop vaccines and other treatments to combat them. Team includes senior experts on infectious diseases with long collaborative histories and younger members with impressive credentials. The work proposed also concerns inventive new ways of making such vaccines by novel chemical methods and aspects of d ....Malaria, streptococcal diseases, helminthiases and scabies are diseases of indigenous people on a massive scale, which lack vaccines. We aim to understand the pathogenesis of these diseases and develop vaccines and other treatments to combat them. Team includes senior experts on infectious diseases with long collaborative histories and younger members with impressive credentials. The work proposed also concerns inventive new ways of making such vaccines by novel chemical methods and aspects of delivery.Read moreRead less
The genome project has opened the path for the study of diseases using genetics. This approach is still quite recent in human and mammalian biology. It requires a large amount of input from statisticians and computer scientists as well as from the biologists and clinicians working on the disease. The team is looking for genes causing complex genetic diseases and use human populations and families as well as mouse models of human diseases. This includes modifiers of cancer development and respons ....The genome project has opened the path for the study of diseases using genetics. This approach is still quite recent in human and mammalian biology. It requires a large amount of input from statisticians and computer scientists as well as from the biologists and clinicians working on the disease. The team is looking for genes causing complex genetic diseases and use human populations and families as well as mouse models of human diseases. This includes modifiers of cancer development and response to infectious disease as well as deafness and autoimmune diseases.Read moreRead less
Host Parasite Interactions: Disease, Pathogenesis And Control
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$13,738,897.00
Summary
Our program will investigate two major global parasitic diseases: malaria and leishmaniasis. We will explore how the parasites identify and invade the host. This is a critical stage of the infection and we will characterise proteins involved as they are potential targets for drugs and vaccines against the parasites. Many of these recognition and interaction components are excellent candidates for the development of vaccines to interrupt the cycle of infection. We are also unravelling metabolic p ....Our program will investigate two major global parasitic diseases: malaria and leishmaniasis. We will explore how the parasites identify and invade the host. This is a critical stage of the infection and we will characterise proteins involved as they are potential targets for drugs and vaccines against the parasites. Many of these recognition and interaction components are excellent candidates for the development of vaccines to interrupt the cycle of infection. We are also unravelling metabolic pathways unique to the parasites using a mixture of genetic and computational tools complemented with sophisticated instrumentation to chemically identify the parasite�s entire repertoire of metabolic compounds. These pathways, absent from human hosts, are also highly vulnerable and we will feed the key steps into the drug development facet of the program. Our program also looks at how the parasites cause disease and how the host responds to the disease. We will explore the reactions of the immune system to infection and consequences of the body�s (often only partially successful) attempts to fight off the disease.Read moreRead less