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.
Investigating The Role Of TCR Avidity In Influenza Virus-specific CD8 T Cell Responses
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$83,142.00
Summary
One of the constituents of the immune system is the cytotoxic, or killer, T cells and these are important in the overall protection from viral infection. Activation of these T cells is mediated by signalling through the T cell receptor (TCR). This study will definitively determine how the strength with which the TCR binds to the activating ligand, can influence the quality of virus-specific T cell immune responses after infection. This has implications for vaccine design.
Generation Of Embryonic Stem Cell-like Cells By Reprogramming Somatic Cell Nuclei
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$69,936.00
Summary
Human embryonic stem (ES) cells possess considerable potential in treating numerous human diseases. However, ethical concerns surround the isolation of embryonic stem cells from human embryos. Therefore, this proposal aims to develop a reliable method of deriving human ES-like cells from normal adult cells (eg. skin cells). For example, preliminary results suggest ES cells can impart their 'stemness' onto adult cells when the two cells are fused together.