Supervisors:
Dr Raj Eri (Email: Rajaraman.Eri@utas.edu.au; Phone: 6324 5467)
Dr Tony Cook (Email: Anthony.Cook@utas.edu.au; Phone: 6324 5465)
Background
Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a degenerative condition that is the world’s leading cause of irreversible blindness. In Australia, 1 in 10 people over the age of 80 have glaucoma, with the annual financial cost of glaucoma predicted to be more the $4 billion by 20251. The progressive loss of peripheral vision has a dramatic impact on the quality of life for glaucoma patients.
Genetic association studies have identified several genes associated with glaucoma, including the non-protein coding gene ANRIL, which was first associated with glaucoma in Tasmanian patients2, and is located within the INK4 locus on chromosome 93. In addition to ANRIL, the INK4 locus also encodes several other genes whose protein products (p15, p16 and ARF) regulate cell cycle progression, apoptosis and senescence, and the expression level of these genes appears to be regulated by ANRIL4. However, if the glaucoma-associated mutation regulates the INK4 locus in this manner is unknown.
The trabecular meshwork is a tissue of interest in studying the cell biology of glaucoma. The aqueous humor drains out the eye via the trabecular meshwork. Compromised trabecular meshwork function can lead to blockage of the meshwork and hence slow drainage of the aqueous humor from the eye, with a concomitant increase in intraocular pressure, a well-established risk factor for glaucoma5. However, the expression of the INK4 locus in this tissue has not yet been studied and thus, how altered ANRIL function changes trabecular meshwork cell proliferation and viability remains unknown.
Project Outline
This project will use cultured trabecular meshwork cells to study the role of ANRIL in regulating INK4 locus expression, cell proliferation and apoptosis in this tissue. You will learn tissue culture techniques, including genetic manipulation using RNA interference to ablate ANRIL expression. Molecular analyses will include isolation of RNA, reverse transcription, and quantitative “real-time” PCR to measure ANRIL transcript levels, as well as other INK4 locus mRNAs. These studies will be complemented by protein extraction and Western blotting to determine if ablating ANRIL expression alters the protein levels of other INK4 locus genes. Cell cycle analysis will be conducted using flow cytometery, and cell viability assessed using various measures of apoptosis (caspase-3 activity), necrosis (cell membrane integrity) and metabolite levels (e.g. ATP content) using multi-well plate based assays routinely used by our group6,7 .
Outcomes
This study is part of a larger on-going research project, and is part of the next step in the clinical translation of novel findings from Tasmanian-based genetic association studies. Our results may facilitate development of novel therapeutic strategies for individuals of known ANRIL genotype, by identifying molecules and cellular responses regulated by ANRIL that can form the basis of high throughput drug-screens. Ultimately, such knowledge may be able to be used to assess treatment efficacy, or to guide selection of different treatment regimes, and thus improve patient outcomes.
You will become proficient in cellular and molecular techniques used in many research/pathology laboratories used world-wide. In addition to your results forming the basis of your thesis, they will directly contribute to research paper(s) by our group.
Facilities
This research will be conducted with the School of Human Life Sciences at the University of Tasmania as part of the Cell Stress Cluster. You will have access to facilities for cell culture and other common molecular methodologies such as real-time PCR, western blotting, flow cytometry, recombinant DNA vector construction and microplate reading using luminescence/fluorescence/spectroscopy.
References
For more information please contact:
Andrew Williams (Andrew.Williams@utas.edu.au), Jonathan Binns (AMC)
Sailing is a complex interaction of forces, moments and humans in a full six degree of freedom balance. It is not generally possible to isolate what is efficient hiking from this balance. Previous studies have focussed on absolute sailing performance with a multitude of unknown inputs and the direct link from hiking ability to performance has never been established. However, it is certainly true that the aim of hiking is to make the largest righting moment as possible. Therefore the useful work done is directly proportional to the moment produced. By use of a load pin in the pneumatic ram attachment point of the active sailing simulator this moment has been easily a reliably measured.
Energy expenditure of the sailor will be measured indirectly using expired gas analysis for the measurement of VO2 and VCO2, at rest and during the simulated sailing task, to determine the energy cost of the work being performed under the simulated conditions, and the relative energy efficiency of the sailor in a variety of sailing positions. Other physiological measurements including heart rate and blood lactate concentrations will also be measured throughout the task as additional indicators of the energy cost of the activity. Strength and endurance of the dorsiflexor muscles will be measured on separate days to the sailing testing to determine any relationship between strength and endurance of these muscles and positional technique using the foot strap. These methods will provide measurements of the energy input.
Maximising the ratio between the energy output (measured through the load pin) and the energy input (measured through the physiological parameters mentioned above) will provide the most efficient sailor in terms of hiking. An initial proof of concept study has been proposed measuring the elements detailed above. This will test repeatability and relative accuracy to lead into further studies involving volunteer participants.
For more information please contact:
Marie-Louise Bird (Email; Marie-Louise.Bird@utas.edu.au; Phone 63243123)
Aim
This study aims to determine the effect of a Pilates intervention on a variety of physical fall risk factors in older adults, including balance and strength
Background
Many older adults do not meet ASCM guidelines for physical activity, and this has implications for modifiable fall risk factors. Pilates has been shown to improve balance in older adults in residential care. There is capacity to improve strength and balance for community dwelling adults and improve fall risks, but quality research into novel exercise programs, like Pilates, that have the potential to improve physical functioning and engage older adults in modified exercise behaviours is sparse.
What will be involved?
The student undertaking this project will be trained in all aspects of the study and will be part of a team of researchers.
Testing will include;
The student will gain significant skills in collecting clinically relevant data and valuable research experience working with older adults who have a variety of health conditions. They will also progress their data analysis skills and develop their academic writing.
The student will be supported to present data at a relevant professional forum.
Ethical approval for this project has already been gained.
Supervisors
Andrew Williams (Email: Andrew.Williams@utas.edu.au; Phone: 6324 5487)
Denis Visentin (Email: Denis.Visentin@utas.edu.au ; Phone: 6324 3409)
Aim
This study aims to measure the incidence and causes of lower back pain in pregnant women and non-pregnant women aged 18-40.
Background
Lower back pain (LBP) and lower back injuries are a significant issue in the workforce, as well as providing chronic discomfort for sufferers which can significantly affect their daily lives. Manual handling in both the work and home environments provide a significant hazard for back injuries and LBP and standards have been developed to minimise injuries in the workplace. Women are often employed in child care or have their own children, where the manual handling of children involves dynamic loads which may be problematic. Despite standardised OH&S practices, women accounted for 60% of all lost time work claims related to LBD. The commercial child care industry, of which 95% of employees are female, is a MH work place that consistently reports higher than usual rates of work related LBP.
The study is designed to investigate the effects of pregnancy on laxity of spinal joints, LBP and functional impairment of the lumbar spine.
What will be involved
The student undertaking this project will be trained in all aspects of the study and will be part of a team of researchers.
Testing will include;
The student will gain significant skills in collecting clinically relevant data and valuable research experience. This project forms part of a larger study involving lower back pain in pregnant women using this methodology.
Supervisor
Dr Murray Adams (Email: Murray.Adams@utas.edu.au; Phone: 6324 5483)
Background
The tissue factor (TF) pathway is the major trigger of blood coagulation, consisting of TF, coagulation factors V, VII and X, as well as the natural in vivo regulator, tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI). Recent evidence suggests that abnormalities of this pathway contribute to hypercoagulability in various disease states that potentially contribute to the development of thrombosis. The impact of thrombosis and related manifestations is well recognised as a significant burden on patient morbidity and mortality, and health care budgets.
An inhibitory component against TFPI has recently been identified in the IgG fraction of patients with an increased risk of developing blood clots e.g. antiphospholipid syndrome (aPS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This inhibitory entity is associated with increased thrombin generation (a marker reflecting hypercoagulability), although it's precise nature remains to be elucidated e.g. whether it is an anti-TFPI antibody or cross-reacting antiphospholipid antibody (APA).
The aims of this project will be to:
Methods
Methods to be used in this project include affinity chromatography, amidolytic activity assays, ELISA, coagulation factor assays and (potentially) thrombin generation assays and cell culture.
References
Supervisors
Dr Murray Adams (Email: Murray.Adams@utas.edu.au; Phone: 6324 5483)
Dr James Fell (Email: James.Fell@utas.edu.au; Phone: 6324 5485)
Background
SLE is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting 1/3500 persons typically characterised by inflammation and tissue damage across a variety of organ systems. Individuals with SLE experience fatigue and myalgia and have been shown to possess cardiovascular fitness below expected levels. Common clinical features of SLE include the development of thrombosis (blood clots) and the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies. Supervised cardiovascular training has been shown to improve exercise tolerance, aerobic fitness, and quality of life, while home based exercise interventions have appeared to be less successful. To our knowledge no previous study has investigated whether the effects of exercise improve haemostasis, and specifically the thrombotic risk factors, associated with the disease. Exercise Physiologists are allied health professionals that prescribe exercise and in particular can assist people with chronic or complex disease conditions, such as SLE. Under the current Medicare funding structure a General Practitioner can refer patients to an Exercise Physiologist for up to five consultations per calendar year. Whether this amount of treatment is sufficient to positively impact on the symptoms associated with SLE is also unknown. Consequently, this project aims to determine whether physical activity prescribed by an Accredited Exercise Physiologist, typical of the current Medicare enhanced primary care plan, elicits improvements in aerobic fitness, physical function, quality of life and an alteration in the clinical markers of blood clot formation and removal.
Research Plan
SLE patients will be invited to participate in the study through the Lupus Association of Tasmania. Upon entry they will be assessed for a range of functional, quality of life and haemostasis measures relevant to their disease and then randomly allocated to an Exercise Physiologist treatment group (EPG), and exercise training group (ETG) or to a control group (CG). The EPG will receive five consultations with an Exercise Physiologist over a six week period aimed at establishing an exercise plan for continued treatment. The ETG group will perform appropriate exercise training under the supervision of an exercise specialist three times per week for the six weeks while the CG will undergo normal treatment as directed by their specialist. At the end of the six week period all variables will be reassessed and compared within and between groups. This would be a suitable Honours project for both an Exercise Science and Biomedical Science student working together.
Techniques
Exercise Science: (Supervisor: Dr James Fell, C107, 6324 5485)
Biomedical Science: (Supervisor: Dr Murray Adams, C105, 6324 5483)
Supervisors
Dr Murray Adams (Email: Murray.Adams@utas.edu.au; Phone: 6324 5483)
Dr Kiran Ahuja (Email: Kiran.Ahuja@utas.edu.au; Phone: 6324 5478)
A/Prof Dom Geraghty (Email: D.Geraghty@utas.edu.au; Phone: 6324 5488)
Background
Platelets are small, but complex cellular fragments of megakaryocytes that play a significant role in maintaining haemostasis. Quantitative and qualitative abnormalities of platelets are associated with bleeding and thrombotic disorders. The investigation of platelet function using plasma-based in vitro methods to diagnose qualitative platelet disorders (diagnostic pathology), and for the development of novel anti-platelet therapeutic agents (medical research), have significant limitations. These include the extensive preparation of plasma prior to testing for platelet function, and the limited time-frame that laboratory analyses can be performed.
An alternative to plasma based methods is whole blood impedance platelet aggregometry. This method reportedly does not require significant sample processing, thus removing the limitations of plasma based aggregometry. Furthermore, whole blood aggregometry allows the investigation of platelet function that more closely represent the in vivo situation, through the interaction of platelets with other cellular components of blood. The Haemostasis and Thrombosis Group in the School of Human Life Sciences has recently purchased the Chronolog Whole Blood Aggregometer to expand our research capabilities related to platelet research, including the impact of capsaicinoids (the "active" components of hot chilli peppers) on platelet function.
The aims of this project are to:
This project will be conducted in the School of Human Life Sciences, and would be potentially suitable for students from the Bachelor of Biomedical Science and/or students with an interest in medical research.
References
Supervisors:
Dr Raj Eri (Email: Rajaraman.Eri@utas.edu.au; Phone: 6324 5467)
Dr Tony Cook (Email: Anthony.Cook@utas.edu.au; Phone: 6324 5465)
About Us
Our team has a reputation in the field of intestinal diseases and are currently funded by Australian Government NHMRC project grants. We welcome dedicated, hardworking students with a passion to learn about the exciting world of mucosal biology.
Student Objectives
Background
Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are collectively called inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The causes for these devastating intestinal diseases are unknown. Recent studies have indicated a strong role for inflammasomes (mediated through two cytokines, namely IL-1 beta and IL-18), in IBD. These controversial investigations in mouse systems have not been validated in human IBD. The project aims to characterise the role of different components of the inflammasome in IBD. In particular, a number of mouse models (deficient in inflammasomes) along with our recently described spontaneous colitis model, Winnie ( Eri et al., 2011, Heazelwood, Eri et al., 2008; McGuckin, Eri et al., 2009, 2010, 2011), will be used in conjunction with human studies to correlate the link between inflammasomes and the pathogenesis of colitis.
Achievable Outcomes
In this project, we propose to investigate how inflammasomes might influence the degree of inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease patients. Possible outcomes include identification of specific elements involved in bowel disease thus identifying potential drug cnadidates.
Techniques
This project will introduce the student to a broad range of techniques, including; Intestinal cell culture, Cell characterisation by multicolour flow cytometry, Realtime PCR for mRNA expression quantitation, Inflammatory cytokine quantitation by immunoassays - cytobeads and ELISA, Mouse handling
References
Supervisors:
Dr Raj Eri (Email: Rajaraman.Eri@utas.edu.au; Phone: 6324 5467)
Dr Tony Cook (Email: Anthony.Cook@utas.edu.au; Phone: 6324 5465)
About Us:
Our team has a reputation in the study of ER stress and oxidative stress in several models of chronic human diseases and are currently funded by Australian Government NHMRC project grants and philanthropic funding schemes. We welcome dedicated, hardworking students with a passion to learn about the exciting fields of cell biology and molecular genetics.
Student Objectives
Project Outline
Parkinson's disease is a complex neurological condition affecting 75,000 Australians. It has significant societal impact, on the patient and their family, and the healthcare system (in 2005, Parkinson's disease was estimated to cost Australia $6.8 billion per year). The mTOR pathway is frequently inhibited under stress-inducing conditions as part of the cellular response aimed at alleviating the stress.
This project will use a Parkinson's disease Patient derived cell model (see Matigian et al., 2010; Cook et al, 2011), established by Dr Cook as part of a larger collaborative research program involving researchers at the National Centre for Adult Stem Cell Research at Griffith University in Brisbane. We will investigate the mTOR pathway in this cellular model of Parkinson's disease in response to neurotoxic chemicals (which typically produce oxidative stress), and in response to neuroprotective antioxidant molecules.
You can expect to become proficient in a range of techniques commonly used in molecular biology research laboratories. These include human cell culture, and analysis of mRNA and protein levels by real-time PCR and western blot respectively.
References
Supervisors
A/Prof Liza Snow (Email: Elizabeth.Snow@utas.edu.au; Phone: 6324 3981)
Dr Tony Cook (Email: Anthony.cook@utas.edu.au; Phone: 6324 5465)
Background
Low levels of oxidative stress applied repetitively (e.g. during exercise) are critical for maximal health and well-being; however, chronic exposure to other forms of (oxidative) stress is critically responsible for promoting age-related diseases such as heart disease and cancer. Arsenic, a known human carcinogen, produces oxidative stress within human cells and tissues by binding to redox-active protein–SH groups and also by activating the NOX-1 isoform of NADPH Oxidase. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by NADPH oxidase after exposure of human cells to arsenic then causes DNA damage, which if not repaired can either cause cell death or mutations. The aim of this project is to evaluate the role of NADPH oxidase in the production of ROS by arsenic in human keratinocytes, a primary target for arsenic toxicity. The outcome of this research will provide direct evidence for the mechanism behind arsenic-induced skin cancer and help to identify a target for anti-cancer treatment.
Research Question 1: Does cellular NOX-1 activity and expression levels change after knockdown with NOX-1 siRNA? [use established NOX-1 activator (C6-ceramide), measure mRNA, protein, NADPH activity]?
Research Question 2: Does As-induced ROS production decrease if cellular expression of NOX-1 is knocked down?
Research Question 3: Are knockdown cells protected from As-induced cytotoxicity [apoptotic cell death, DNA damage (comet assay)]
Treatment:
Assays:
References
Supervisors
A/Prof Liza Snow (Email: Elizabeth.Snow@utas.edu.au; Phone: 6324 3981);
Dr Christine Booth (School of Human Life Sciences)
Dr Kiran Ahuja (School of Human Life Sciences)
Prof Madeleine Ball (School of Human Life Sciences)
Background
Low levels of oxidative stress are critical for maximal health, well-being and longevity; however, chronic exposure to excess oxidative stress and DNA damage is critically responsible for promoting age-related diseases such as heart disease and cancer. A diet high in a variety of fruits and vegetables seems to be optimal for preventing cancer and may also be helpful in preventing stress-related diseases such as diabetes. Although many fruits, vegetables and spices are known to possess antioxidant benefits, the chemical components responsible for these properties and their mode of action are not always well understood. The Australian Defense Force is responsible for the wellbeing of our armed forces and is seeking to find ways to improve the ration packs such that they provide optimum health benefits. In a project in collaboration with the School of Human Life Sciences the ADF in Scottsdale is exploring the use and benefit of Tasmanian-sourced food antioxidants such as blueberries and Tasmanian Pepperberries for development of more beneficial ration packs. This part of the project will evaluate the ability of extracts of blueberries and Tasmanian pepperberries, as well as components of these extracts, to prevent DNA damage caused by exposure to excess oxidative stress. Our hypothesis is that these food antioxidants will be capable of preventing oxidative stress in cultured cells and in the white blood cells of people who have eaten these antioxidant berries and thereby protecting against endogenous DNA damage as well as that caused by menadione (vitamin K) and other oxidants. The aims of this project are to measure oxidative DNA damage and to determine to what extent these food antioxidants can protect against this damage. The outcome of this research will be to provide data demonstrating the efficacy of Tasmanian sources antioxidant supplements in protecting against oxidative DNA damage in vitro and in vivo.
Plan
Treat cultured human cells with blueberry and pepperberry extracts and determine appropriate doses to give a measurable cellular response (toxicity or enhanced cell survival) using a variety of toxicity assays. The natural pro-oxidants, menedione (vitamin K) and arsenic, will be used to induce DNA damage which will be evaluated by measuring chromosomal breakage leading to DNA strand breaks using the Single-Cell Gel (Comet) assay. The oxidative component of the DNA damage will be assessed using damage-specific endonucleases in conjunction with the Comet assay. The primary prevention of oxidative stress and formation of reactive oxygen species by menedione will be assessed using specific fluorescent dyes. The dose and timing of antioxidant treatment required to prevent this DNA damage will be determined.
Techniques
Tissue culture and toxicity assays and the comet assay for measuring chromosomal damage will be used. Measurement of reactive oxygen species using fluorescent probes may also be used to determine the mode of action of the antioxidants.
Supervisor
Dr Steve Tristram
Background
Rapidly increasing rates of resistance to antibiotics of the B-lactam class (amoxicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanate and cephalosprins) has resulted in greater reliance on alternatives such as the macrolides (e.g clarithromycin) and fluoroquinolones (e.g ciprofoloxacin). Low prevalence resistance to these agents has already been noted in H. influenzae in the general population, with slightly higher rates in isolates from patient with cystic fibrosis.
The higher rates in cystic fibrosis patients may be a result of the strains being exposed to frequent antibiotics because of the chronic nature of the disease, and because strains from these patients are often hyper-mutable.
Methods
The aims of the study will be to examine a collection of strains of H. influenzae from cystic fibrosis patients and compare them with a control set of clinical isolates from non-CF patients for the following characteristics.
Any strains showing decreased susceptibility will be further characterised to determine the molecular basis for decreased susceptibility.
Techniques used will include disc diffusion and broth dilution susceptibility testing, PCR and gene sequencing.
References
Contact Steve for background reading if you are interested.
Supervisor
Dr Steve Tristram
Background
Bacterial biofilms are known to be important in allowing some organisms to establish infection, but although there is some evidence that H. influenzae can form biofilms, the evidence for the role in disease is not well established. It is possible that some diseases of a chronic nature (e.g cystic fibrosis and otitis media) may more frequently involve biofilm producing strains, than other acute infections or strains that exist as normal flora.
In addition, some types of antimicrobial resistance genes are transferred between different strains of H. influenzae by close cell to cell contact, and this may be facilitated by biofilm production.
Methods
The aims of the study will be to compare the ability to form biofilms (quantitative assay) between clinical isolates of H. influenzae from a random population, from a cystic fibrosis population, from an otitis media population and from a control (normal flora) population. If time permits, susceptible strains versus resistant (BLNAR type) strains will also be compared for biofilm formation.
Techniques involved in this project will involve some PCR and broth / absorbance based biofilm assays.
References
Contact Steve for background reading if you are interested.
For more information please contact:
Dr Andrew Williams (Email: Andrew.Williams@utas.edu.au; Phone: 6324 5487)
Aim
The general aim of the project is to determine the prognostic value of BP acquired during an exercise stress test to predict BP control. The findings may help improve the identification of individuals at higher risk related to BP, who may otherwise go undetected.
Background
Healthy people with 'normal' BP at rest (<140/90 mmHg) but an exaggerated BP response to exercise (e.g. ≥210/105 mmHg in men or ≥190/105 mmHg in women) are at significantly greater risk of cardiovascular events and mortality. Interestingly, exercise BP predicts future development of hypertension and cardiovascular outcomes independent from resting BP. The reasons underlying the additional prognostic value of exercise BP beyond resting BP are unknown. However, recent data suggests that people with exaggerated exercise BP may have masked hypertension ('normal' clinic BP and raised BP outside the clinic) and this could be a major factor contributing to increased risk.
This also raises the possibility that individuals at increased risk related to BP may be identified from the BP response to exercise. Exercise stress testing is commonly used to screen for myocardial ischaemia. The test is usually supervised by a clinician who records resting BP as well as the exercise BPs through increasing intensity of effort. An exaggerated BP response may be noted as an abnormality of the exercise test, but there are no guidelines as to appropriate management thereafter. To our knowledge there has never been a study to determine if exercise BP can help identify BP control and this is the principle aim of the project. It is hypothesised that an exaggerated BP response to exercise will have good sensitivity and specificity for predicting the presence of masked hypertension.
What will be involved?
The student undertaking this project will be trained in all aspects of the study and will be part of a team of researchers. The student will liaise with patients who have undertaken an exercise stress test at the cardiology department of the Launceston General Hospital. These patients will be referred for additional testing at the School of Human Life Sciences and this will be conducted by the student. Testing will include;
The student will gain significant clinical and research experience.
For more information please contact:
Dr Andrew Williams (Email: Andrew.Williams@utas.edu.au; Phone: 6324 5487)
Dr Kiran Ahuja (Email: Kiran.Ahuja@utas.edu.au; Phone: 6324 5478)
Aim
This study aims to determine the effect of heat, humidity and cold on cardiovascular function and blood coagulation, and to explore their association with the degree of neuropathy (if any) in people with stable T2DM.
Background
Sudden exposure to hot or cold temperatures causes changes to the circulation with the aim to maintain the body's core temperature. Scientific literature suggests that this ability may be compromised in people living with chronic diseases such as type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) – a condition associated with high blood sugar concentrations. Patients with T2DM are often at higher risk of developing hypertension (high blood pressure), cardiovascular disease and also impaired nervous system function (neuropathies). Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy is one of the most common diabetes associated complications and results in impaired ability of the cardiovascular system to deal with challenges to the body such as exposure to environmental extremes.
Hypertension is considered a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and death as it increases the work that the heart must perform to maintain adequate blood flow to the body. Traditionally, blood pressure is measured at the upper-arm using an inflatable cuff. However, recent research suggests that the measurement of aortic (central) blood pressure may be a better indicator of cardiovascular outcomes than the traditional upper-arm blood pressure method.
What will be involved?
The student undertaking this project will be trained in all aspects of the study and will be part of a team of researchers.
Testing will include;
The student will gain significant skills in collecting clinically relevant data and valuable research experience working with patients with chronic disease.
Supervisors:
Dr Dale Kunde (Email: Dale.Kunde@utas.edu.au; Phone: 6324 5496)
A/Prof Dom Geraghty (Email: D.Geraghty@utas.edu.au; Phone: 6324 5488)
Dr Iain Robertson (Emial: Iain.Robertson@utas.edu.au; Phone: 6324 5492)
Background
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors ('statins') are widely used to lower total and LDL-blood cholesterol, particularly individuals with cardiovascular disease. In addition to lowering lipids, statins have a number of other actions, including anti-inflammatory effects. Clinical studies have shown that circulating cytokine levels are elevated in kidney disease patients1 and that statins reduce circulating levels of cytokines, including tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFa) and C-reactive protein (CRP)2. Whilst the findings suggests that statins may affect cytokine production and/or release from immune cells, the effects of statins on immune cell function have yet to be investigated in vitro.
The aims of this study are to:
This project will be conducted in the School of Human Life Sciences, and would be potentially suitable for students from the Bachelor of Biomedical Science and/or students with an interest in medical research.
Techniques
This project will introduce the student to a broad range of techniques, including; cell culture, ELISA, realtime PCR for mRNA expression.
References