Inhibition Of Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule Expression By High Density Lipoproteins
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$80,550.00
Summary
It is well known that high levels of cholesterol in blood cause coronary heart disease. However, it is also known that not all of the blood cholesterol is bad. If it is carried in particles called low density lipoproteins or LDLs it causes heart disease. But if it is carried in other particles known as high density lipoproteins or HDLs it does not. In fact, it is now well known that HDLs actually protect against the development of coronary heart disease. There are two main actions of HDLs that c ....It is well known that high levels of cholesterol in blood cause coronary heart disease. However, it is also known that not all of the blood cholesterol is bad. If it is carried in particles called low density lipoproteins or LDLs it causes heart disease. But if it is carried in other particles known as high density lipoproteins or HDLs it does not. In fact, it is now well known that HDLs actually protect against the development of coronary heart disease. There are two main actions of HDLs that contribute to their ability to protect. Firstly, they are known to drain cholesterol out of coronary arteries. We have recently shown that they have a second action. The end result of this second action is a slowing down of the entry into coronary arteries of cells called monocytes that are necessary for the development of the atherosclerosis that causes the heart disease. This project is concerned with this ability of HDLs to slow down the development of atherosclerosis by the second action. We have found that this second action of HDLs is influenced by the type of fats they carry. We propose now to investigate the mechanism by which different fats influence this action of HDLs with a view to devising new strategies for the prevention of heart disease.Read moreRead less
Cytoskeletal Regulation Of Adhesion Structure And Cell Movement
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$60,420.00
Summary
Metastatic (secondary) cancers are a frequent cause of patient mortality. Central to the development of metastasis is cell motility-movement. A key component of cell movement is the way that cells bind and release the extra-cellular matrix as they move. By understanding how the dynamics of cell interaction with the matrix are regulated, we will identify molecules that are critical to the development of metastatic cancer and thus novel targets for inhibition of metastasis.
Investigation Of The Role For GPVI In Platelet Function And Thrombosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$542,772.00
Summary
Blood cells play an important role in maintaining healthy blood vessels. We are studying the role of platelets in blood clots following vessel injury. However, while critical for normal blood vessel maintenance, these cells also contribute to diseases including thrombosis. We will examine how an important platelet receptor called GPVI promotes blood clot formation, and examine whether combining anticoagulant drugs with GPVI deficient platelets leads to a more effective anticlotting approach.
UNDERSTANDING FOCAL ADHESION DYNAMICS IN CELL MIGRATION
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$268,944.00
Summary
Metastatic (secondary) cancers are a frequent cause of patient mortality. Central to the development of metastasis is cell motility-movement. A key component of cell movement is the way that cells bind and release the extra-cellular matrix as they move. By understanding how the dynamics of cell interaction with the matrix are regulated, we will identify molecules that are critical to the development of metastatic cancer and thus novel targets for inhibition of metastasis.
I am a cell biologist who studies the molecular mechanisms that couple cells together into tissues in the body. These adhesion mechanisms are essential during development, support normal tissue turnover and are disrupted in human disease. My research aims to understand how cell adhesion functions normally and how it is disturbed in inflammation and cancer.