Driving research of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME / CFS),
Post Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS), Fibromyalgia and Long Covid

Donate Now
Donate Crypto
Sign Up

Cellular Nitrogen and Energy Metabolism in ME/CFS

Study AIM

This project aims to test the nitrogen hypothesis, which is that damaging, nitrogen-containing by-products of energy metabolism accumulate more readily in the cells of ME/CFS patients.

LEAD INVESTIGATORS
  • Christopher Armstrong, Phd
  • Paul Gooley, PhD
  • Daniel Missailidis, PhD
  • Jo Cambridge, PhD
  • Neil McGregor, PhD
Updates and Potential
  • Blood-based immune cells from ME/CFS patients appear to die at a faster rate than healthy control cells. Interesting finding but it makes these cells difficult to use for the experiments we are conducting.
  • Lymphoblasts are a more stable and strong cell type that appear appropriate for our metabolism studies.
  • Distinct lipid and amino acid profiles couldbe seen between ME/CFS and controls in lysed lymphoblasts.
  • Data is being collected currently.
STUDY HYPOTHESIS AND DESCRIPTION

ME/CFS is diagnosed by its symptoms, which include post-exertional malaise, fatigue, and brain fog. It is unclear how these symptoms arise, and there are likely multiple routes to arrive at this chronic pathological state. However, there is a fundamental defect in energy metabolism in ME/CFS, which may be a common underlying cause of its symptoms.

We have hypothesized that reactive nitrogen by-products are accumulating in the cells of ME/CFS patients as a result of using amino acids for energy production in the mitochondria.To test this hypothesis, we will culture blood-based immune cells and feed them with labelled sugar, fats and amino acids. As the cells use the labelled sugar, fatand amino acids for energy production we will be able to monitor how their metabolism differs from healthy controls.

OBJECTIVES

  1. Develop method for conducting stable-isotopelabelled cellular metabolism studies.
  2. Observe where Nitrogen atoms flow during energy metabolism in cells from ME/CFS and controls.
  3. Assess the use of carbohydrates, amino acids and ketones by cells from ME/CFS and controls.
Facebook Twitter Youtube Instagram

Open Medicine Foundation Australia Limited is registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). We are authorised by the Australian Tax Office as a deductible gift recipient (DGR). Donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible.

ABN 81 635 273 415

Open Medicine Foundation Australia Limited
C/O Accru Melbourne Pty Ltd
50 Camberwell Road
Hawthorn East VIC 3124

PRIVACY POLICY  | COOKIE POLICY| MEDICAL & OTHER DISCLAIMERS

CONTACT US

Copyright © 2023 Open Medicine Foundation. All Rights Reserved.

OMF Australia accepts donations of Cryptocurrencies

Make the most of your donation by donating your Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies directly to OMF Australia rather than selling and donating the after-tax proceeds.

  • Your tax deduction will be equal to the fair market value of the donated cryptocurrency (as determined by a qualified appraisal).
  • Donors should consult with a tax advisor for properly recording this donation on a personal tax return.


OMF Australia can accept cryptocurrency donations of any amount. 

Donating cryptocurrency is a non-taxable event, meaning you do not owe capital gains tax on the appreciated amount and can deduct it on your taxes. This makes Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency donations one of the most tax-efficient ways to support your favorite cause. If you want to learn more about how donating crypto can lower your taxes, check out thegivingblock.com/faq.

Talk to a crypto-savvy tax professional or connect with The Giving Block to get connected with one.

We accept the following cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Zcash (ZEC), Gemini Dollar (GUSD), Basic Attention Token (BAT), Chainlink (LINK), 0x (ZRX), Storj (STORJ), Dai (DAI), Amp (AMP), The Graph (GRT), UMA (UMA), 1inch (1INCH).

ATO Crypto asset investment & tax