Metabolic Profiling of Human Embryonic Stem Cells. Stem cell therapies are becoming a commercial reality. Stem cell products have an estimated value of US$ 87 million this year and are predicted to be worth US$ 8.5 billion within a decade. Development of stem cell products will be an international research effort with many contributing to the final products. Research described here will augment this effort, strengthening Australia's contribution by developing novel intellectual property and appl ....Metabolic Profiling of Human Embryonic Stem Cells. Stem cell therapies are becoming a commercial reality. Stem cell products have an estimated value of US$ 87 million this year and are predicted to be worth US$ 8.5 billion within a decade. Development of stem cell products will be an international research effort with many contributing to the final products. Research described here will augment this effort, strengthening Australia's contribution by developing novel intellectual property and applications. The training of individuals skilled in stem cell research will add to Australia's pool of stem cell researchers. Individuals trained in this area will be paramount to maintaining Australia's research effort and in the application of these technologies into the Australian health sector.Read moreRead less
Identification of nuclear reprogramming factors in oocyte cytoplasm. The mature oocyte contains dominant factors that are capable of erasing tissue specific gene expression profiles of somatic cells. These reprogramming factors would be valuable for dedifferentiation of cells and for nuclear transfer in animal cloning. The research involves determination of reprogramming factors present in active cytoplasm following enucleation of the germinal vesicle, blockage of transcription and translation, ....Identification of nuclear reprogramming factors in oocyte cytoplasm. The mature oocyte contains dominant factors that are capable of erasing tissue specific gene expression profiles of somatic cells. These reprogramming factors would be valuable for dedifferentiation of cells and for nuclear transfer in animal cloning. The research involves determination of reprogramming factors present in active cytoplasm following enucleation of the germinal vesicle, blockage of transcription and translation, and timed cultures. The assays will involve maintenance of reprogramming ability and erasure of somatic gene transcription. By subtractive elimination the function of isolated proteins which are involved in reprogramming will be identified for potential recombinant production.Read moreRead less
Novel modes of signalling of serotonin 5-HT2c receptors. This project focuses on a special family of receptor proteins that mediate the actions of the neurochemical, serotonin (5HT), in the human brain. These serotonin receptors are major targets for antidepressant and antipsychotic medications, and also play a role in anxiety, migraine and control of appetite. Despite the important role of serotonin receptors in health and disease, the mechanism of action of many drugs acting on these receptors ....Novel modes of signalling of serotonin 5-HT2c receptors. This project focuses on a special family of receptor proteins that mediate the actions of the neurochemical, serotonin (5HT), in the human brain. These serotonin receptors are major targets for antidepressant and antipsychotic medications, and also play a role in anxiety, migraine and control of appetite. Despite the important role of serotonin receptors in health and disease, the mechanism of action of many drugs acting on these receptors remains unknown. Our project will specifically investigate novel molecular mechanisms associated with serotonin receptor activity that may prove vital in understanding mechanisms of psychiatric illnesses, and how many psychiatric medicines actually work.Read moreRead less
Gene targeting in the rat germ cell. The rat plays a central role in both medical research and the drug development process. Unfortunately key technologies supporting the genetic modification of the rat are currently unavailable. The development of such technology would dramatically improve the utility of the rat in many areas of medical research as well as for the pharmaceutical industry. This project proposes to develop methods to perform gene targeting experiments in the germ cells of the ....Gene targeting in the rat germ cell. The rat plays a central role in both medical research and the drug development process. Unfortunately key technologies supporting the genetic modification of the rat are currently unavailable. The development of such technology would dramatically improve the utility of the rat in many areas of medical research as well as for the pharmaceutical industry. This project proposes to develop methods to perform gene targeting experiments in the germ cells of the male rat. Successful manipulation of these cells will represent a major breakthrough towards the ultimate goal of manipulating the rat genome.Read moreRead less
New approaches for screening cereal germplasm for enhanced microbial pathogen resistance and desirable grain texture. The trait of grain hardness (texture) is of significance to the Australian infrastructure, as exports of hard wheat contribute over 5 billion dollars per year on average to the national economy and hard wheats are also important for domestic usage. The genes responsible for grain texture also impart resistance to bacterial and fungal pathogens which can cause extensive damage. ....New approaches for screening cereal germplasm for enhanced microbial pathogen resistance and desirable grain texture. The trait of grain hardness (texture) is of significance to the Australian infrastructure, as exports of hard wheat contribute over 5 billion dollars per year on average to the national economy and hard wheats are also important for domestic usage. The genes responsible for grain texture also impart resistance to bacterial and fungal pathogens which can cause extensive damage. However, the Australian gene pool has very limited genetic diversity in grain textures and thus possibly in pathogen resistance. The project will work out the science behind these two traits and identify lines with new variants of textures and pathogen resistances, thus greatly benefiting the national infrastructure and local primary industries.Read moreRead less
Physiology and genetics of barley grain germination in the malting and brewing industries. An international research team will provide new scientific information on barley grain germination. This detailed basic knowledge will be immediately applied in breeding programs that are aimed at improving malting and brewing quality in a commercial context. At the same time, the industry's carbon footprint will be significantly reduced.
The Production of Respiratory Cell Lineages from Human Embryonic Stem Cells: Towards a Cell Replacement Therapy for the Treatment of Respiratory Specific Deficits. Embryonic stem (ES) cells are a primitive embryonic cell type that can be maintained and grown in vitro. Mouse ES cells can be instructed to develop into a wide range of specific adult cell types. Research into human ES cells has more recently commenced and has already resulted in the controlled production of specific nerve cells by o ....The Production of Respiratory Cell Lineages from Human Embryonic Stem Cells: Towards a Cell Replacement Therapy for the Treatment of Respiratory Specific Deficits. Embryonic stem (ES) cells are a primitive embryonic cell type that can be maintained and grown in vitro. Mouse ES cells can be instructed to develop into a wide range of specific adult cell types. Research into human ES cells has more recently commenced and has already resulted in the controlled production of specific nerve cells by our group. The following project aims to create respiratory lineages from both mouse and human ES cells. Such an undertaking thus aims to provide a basis for the treatment of respiratory specific diseases such as cystic fibrosis and emphysema.Read moreRead less
LGBTI experiences of cancer survivorship and care. This project aims to understand the experiences and concerns of cancer survivors and carers within lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex communities. This vulnerable population reports higher rates of cancer related distress and dissatisfaction with care than the general population. This project will examine the perspectives of cancer survivors, their carers, and professional stakeholders, to inform targeted patient and carer resource ....LGBTI experiences of cancer survivorship and care. This project aims to understand the experiences and concerns of cancer survivors and carers within lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex communities. This vulnerable population reports higher rates of cancer related distress and dissatisfaction with care than the general population. This project will examine the perspectives of cancer survivors, their carers, and professional stakeholders, to inform targeted patient and carer resources, and recommendations for cancer care and policy.Read moreRead less
Cellular and molecular mechanisms for gut homeostasis in mammals. Certain molecules are responsible for gut homeostasis. This project aims to develop new tools to manipulate the cellular and molecular pathways around these molecules, which should provide benefit for human and animal health. This project will test whether the basis of many health conditions is disrupted gut homeostasis, through changes in diet and our gut bacteria.
Alcohol and tobacco use among lesbian, bisexual and queer identifying women. This project aims to examine practices of alcohol and tobacco use among lesbian, bisexual and queer-identifying (LBQ) women, which are considerably higher compared to heterosexual women. By using an innovative, longitudinal qualitative approach, this project expects to generate new knowledge regarding the cultural and social forces that shape higher rates of alcohol and tobacco use among LBQ women, and to better underst ....Alcohol and tobacco use among lesbian, bisexual and queer identifying women. This project aims to examine practices of alcohol and tobacco use among lesbian, bisexual and queer-identifying (LBQ) women, which are considerably higher compared to heterosexual women. By using an innovative, longitudinal qualitative approach, this project expects to generate new knowledge regarding the cultural and social forces that shape higher rates of alcohol and tobacco use among LBQ women, and to better understand their impacts. It is anticipated that the project will enhance the capacity of health promotion and policy organisations to meet the alcohol management and smoking cessation needs of this population. Findings from this project should help to alleviate health and social inequalities experienced by LBQ women.
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