Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE120100043
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$330,000.00
Summary
Development of an ultra-high speed spinning disk confocal micro-particle image velocimetry (PIV) platform for the investigation of cardiovascular disease . This facility will establish a microscope system specifically designed to investigate the function of blood cells in the context of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke.
How the red blood cell loses its nucleus. This project aims to provide insights into erythroid enucleation, the process by which red blood cells extrude their nucleus so that they can circulate through the microvasculature. Although the enucleated character of mammalian red blood cells has been known for more than 150 years, the mechanism underlying this process is virtually unknown. This project will use a live imaging approach to characterise in vivo the cellular interactions and molecular pat ....How the red blood cell loses its nucleus. This project aims to provide insights into erythroid enucleation, the process by which red blood cells extrude their nucleus so that they can circulate through the microvasculature. Although the enucleated character of mammalian red blood cells has been known for more than 150 years, the mechanism underlying this process is virtually unknown. This project will use a live imaging approach to characterise in vivo the cellular interactions and molecular pathways required for enucleation. The project will provide a molecular and cellular road map of enucleation that may be utilised to enhance the bulk therapeutic in vitro production of red blood cells for veterinary and human purposes.Read moreRead less
Genetic networks controlling lymphocyte differentiation. White blood cells are produced in the bone marrow from a rare stem cell. This research aims to understand how a handful of master-regulator genes act in the stem cells to produce the white blood cells that are required for our immune response to microbes, vaccination and to prevent cancer.
Characterization Of HOXA-expressing Human Haematopoietic Cells Generated From Embryonic Stem Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$622,464.00
Summary
Blood stem cell transplants are used for treating a range of human blood disorders such as leukaemias. However, for many patients, suitable donors cannot be found. We are searching for ways in which embryonic stem cells can be turned into blood stem cells in the laboratory to provide a new source of these cells that could then be used to treat patients.
Transcriptional regulation of erythropoiesis. The major expected outcome from this proposal will be development of a pipeline for the study of how transcription factors work at a genome level. There will be national benefit in the areas of Frontier Technologies, and Promoting and Maintaining Good Health. There will be specific outcomes with respect to development of tests for human blood diseases, future design of drugs to target the aberrant activities of transcription factors in genetic and de ....Transcriptional regulation of erythropoiesis. The major expected outcome from this proposal will be development of a pipeline for the study of how transcription factors work at a genome level. There will be national benefit in the areas of Frontier Technologies, and Promoting and Maintaining Good Health. There will be specific outcomes with respect to development of tests for human blood diseases, future design of drugs to target the aberrant activities of transcription factors in genetic and degenerative diseases. Also, a strong bridge will be built upon the previous collaborations of the research teams in Brisbane and Pennsylvania, which will facilitate advanced teaching and training of Australian PhD and post-doctoral scientists.Read moreRead less
Ex vivo production of neutrophils. Relentless infections frequently occur in patients receiving intensive chemotherapy treatment. Chemotherapy is toxic to the bone marrow where blood cells are produced. A low white blood cell count and in particular a low neutrophil count is linked with infection in these patients. Unlike red cells and platelets, neutrophils are difficult to collect from blood donors and hence are not routinely available. In this project, we will develop a practical, cost effic ....Ex vivo production of neutrophils. Relentless infections frequently occur in patients receiving intensive chemotherapy treatment. Chemotherapy is toxic to the bone marrow where blood cells are produced. A low white blood cell count and in particular a low neutrophil count is linked with infection in these patients. Unlike red cells and platelets, neutrophils are difficult to collect from blood donors and hence are not routinely available. In this project, we will develop a practical, cost efficient process for the production of neutrophils from cord blood. Transfusion of these neutrophils should reduce the chance of patients suffering serious infection, allow them to recover faster from their chemotherapy, and reduce the need for admission to intensive care.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE160100220
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$180,000.00
Summary
Fluorescence and internal reflection system to develop lab-on-chip devices. Fluorescence and internal reflection system to develop lab-on-chip devices:
The aim of this project is to develop and establish a state-of-the-art fluorescence imaging facility. It aims to establish a total internal reflection fluorescence microscope combined with high speed epifluorescence imaging workstation that will be tailored to specifically investigate the fundamentals of blood cell, and vascular cell function. T ....Fluorescence and internal reflection system to develop lab-on-chip devices. Fluorescence and internal reflection system to develop lab-on-chip devices:
The aim of this project is to develop and establish a state-of-the-art fluorescence imaging facility. It aims to establish a total internal reflection fluorescence microscope combined with high speed epifluorescence imaging workstation that will be tailored to specifically investigate the fundamentals of blood cell, and vascular cell function. The project forms part of a broad bioengineering research program aimed at developing novel lab-on-chip technologies for basic cell biology and haematology. Outcomes from these projects may have significant impact in fundamental research in both bioengineering and biology disciplines.Read moreRead less
EX VIVO PRODUCTION OF MATURE RED BLOOD CELLS FOR TRANSFUSION. This project aims to establish a practical, cost efficient biotechnology platform for the expansion and maturation of blood stem cells to produce blood transfusion products. Red blood cell production will be used as the prototype model. It is envisaged that blood bioreactors will initially supplement and ultimately replace the current blood donor based process, thus overcoming the on-going donor recruitment, retention and safety issue ....EX VIVO PRODUCTION OF MATURE RED BLOOD CELLS FOR TRANSFUSION. This project aims to establish a practical, cost efficient biotechnology platform for the expansion and maturation of blood stem cells to produce blood transfusion products. Red blood cell production will be used as the prototype model. It is envisaged that blood bioreactors will initially supplement and ultimately replace the current blood donor based process, thus overcoming the on-going donor recruitment, retention and safety issues associated with collection of single units of blood. This project is focused on providing solutions to two key technical and economical challenges: (a) achieving full maturation of red blood cells and (b) achieving at least a 100-fold intensification of the expansion and maturation process through perfusion.Read moreRead less
Examining novel cell signalling in the regulation of platelet structure and function. Pharmaceutical inhibition of platelet function is the primary therapy for prevention of arterial thrombosis – the most common cause of death and disability in Australia. However, current therapies have limited efficacy. Defining platelet activation mechanisms in order to rationalise more effective antithrombotic approaches is the major focus of this research. This project describes the first studies to examine ....Examining novel cell signalling in the regulation of platelet structure and function. Pharmaceutical inhibition of platelet function is the primary therapy for prevention of arterial thrombosis – the most common cause of death and disability in Australia. However, current therapies have limited efficacy. Defining platelet activation mechanisms in order to rationalise more effective antithrombotic approaches is the major focus of this research. This project describes the first studies to examine the importance of a family of intracellular signalling enzymes, the Class II phosphoinositide 3-kinases, in platelet function. These studies will define the contribution of these enzymes to platelet production and function and will establish whether their inhibition is an attractive strategy for the prevention of arterial thrombosis.Read moreRead less
MINIMAL RESIDUAL DISEASE IN ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKAEMIA
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$455,204.00
Summary
This project will study the extremely small numbers of leukaemic cells which are found in patients who are apparently healthy, but which sometimes lead to relapse. Very sensitive methods for measuring and studying low levels of leukaemic cells will be developed and used. To develop new better treatments in the long term, we will study why current treatment sometimes fails to eradicate the leukaemia, leading to patients relapsing. Clinicians currently need to obtain samples of bone marrow to asse ....This project will study the extremely small numbers of leukaemic cells which are found in patients who are apparently healthy, but which sometimes lead to relapse. Very sensitive methods for measuring and studying low levels of leukaemic cells will be developed and used. To develop new better treatments in the long term, we will study why current treatment sometimes fails to eradicate the leukaemia, leading to patients relapsing. Clinicians currently need to obtain samples of bone marrow to assess leukaemia, and the research will show whether this needs to be continued, or whether, with sensitive tests, samples of blood can be used instead. The study will involve collaboration with clinicians throughout Australia and overseas.Read moreRead less