Kidney Mesenchymal Stem Cells In Tubular Development, Repair And Turnover
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$989,141.00
Summary
In Australia, 11.3% of deaths are associated with chronic kidney disease with >$1 billion per annum spent on treating this condition. At present, only dialysis and transplantation are available to treat end stage kidney disease. We have found a kidney stem cell population in both human and mouse that can form new epithelial structures. In this project, we will investigate the normal role played by these kidney stem cells and examine whether they can contribute to kidney regeneration.
Kidney Mesenchymal Stem Cells In Tubular Development, Repair And Turnover.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Summary
In Australia, 11.3% of deaths are associated with chronic kidney disease with >$1 billion per annum spent on treating this condition. At present, only dialysis and transplantation are available to treat end stage kidney disease. We have found a kidney stem cell population in both human and mouse that can form new epithelial structures. In this project, we will investigate the normal role played by these kidney stem cells and examine whether they can contribute to kidney regeneration.
Liver Cell Transplantation For The Treatment Of Liver Based Metabolic Diseases.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$444,143.00
Summary
We propose to investigate the role of liver cell transplantation (LCT) for the therapy of inherited liver-based metabolic diseases using a methylmalonic aciduria (MMA) mouse model. LCT provides an exciting alternative to whole organ transplantation. Initially it was considered liver cells would be immunopriviledged. This has not proven to be the case. Immune modulation will be important. We will also examine immune modulation using antibodies to optimise longterm survival of allogeneic cells.
Engineered Cell And Exosome Therapy For Pulmonary Vascular Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$838,490.00
Summary
Diseases affecting the blood vessels in the lungs cause early death and the currently available treatments are not curative. We will take advantage of the latest developments in the understanding of the molecular basis of these diseases to design and test a new treatment approach using cells and cell-derived products as a therapy.
Regionalisation And Differentiation Of EPL-derived Neurectoderm: Directed Formation Of Dopaminergic Neurons In Vitro.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$250,500.00
Summary
Neurodegenerative diseases result from the loss, damage or dysfunction of neural populations. For example, dopaminergic neurons are lost progressively in Parkinson's Disease. A potential method of treatment is 'cell therapy' which envisages transplantation of cells back to the site of cell loss, and restoration of function. Application of the cell therapy approach is limited by the unavailability of cells for transplantation. Embryonic stem (ES) cells provide a potential solution to this problem ....Neurodegenerative diseases result from the loss, damage or dysfunction of neural populations. For example, dopaminergic neurons are lost progressively in Parkinson's Disease. A potential method of treatment is 'cell therapy' which envisages transplantation of cells back to the site of cell loss, and restoration of function. Application of the cell therapy approach is limited by the unavailability of cells for transplantation. Embryonic stem (ES) cells provide a potential solution to this problem because they can be grown in unlimited numbers and differentiated to any kind of cell that is found in the embryo or adult. In this application we propose to continue our work on controlling the differentiation of ES cells to neural lineages. Production of dopaminergic neurons will be a particular focus. We will establish conditions that enable the production of these cells in a manner that is therapeutically relevant and predicted to be acceptable to regulatory authorities. Cells will be tested by transplantation into adult rats to assess their therapeutic potential, in particular persistence, integration and differentiation within the brain environment. Research required to achieve the production of transplantable cells will also provide basic information about the mechanisms by which the mammalian embryo allocates cells, specifically cells of the nervous system, to specific lineages during embryogenesis. This information will be important for the production of other neural cell types, which have therapeutic potential for treatment of diseases like stroke, motor neuron disease and spinal cord injury.Read moreRead less
The Role Of Clathrin In The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint And As An Anti-cancer Target
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$651,768.00
Summary
Cell division produces two daughter cells. Incorrect localisation and modification of proteins that regulate mitosis cause errors that can lead to cancer. As well as using a unique machinery mitosis uses proteins involved in non-cell cycle pathways. This project investigates the role during mitosis of one such protein: clathrin. We will identify lead clathrin inhibitory compounds, pitstops, that have potential anti-cancer properties, ultimately to be used as a chemotherapy agent.
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.
Killing Infected Cells As A Mechanism To Eradicate Tuberculosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,085,770.00
Summary
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of TB, is rapidly becoming resistant to all antibiotics and this disease kills more than one million people each year. This underscores the urgent need to develop new treatments for this disease. We are developing a therapy that kills Mtb infected cells and may help to eradicate infection. This highly novel approach to the treatment of TB would have profound implications for the 2 billion people infected with this pathogen.
Understanding The Pharmacology Of G-CSF For Treating Myocardial Infarction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$429,393.00
Summary
Heart attacks remain the most common cause of heart failure. Unlike many other tissues the heart is unable to repair itself. Recently it has been recognised that bone marrow cells promote to a small degree repair. Our research confirms these findings and indicates that these can be affected by substances that increase the circulating bone marrow cell numbers. This project will explore how bone marrow cells improve repair and ways to further improve efficacy.
Cellular And Molecular Mechanisms Of Hedgehog Signaling In Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$551,937.00
Summary
Breast cancer cells create the conditions for their own survival by communicating their needs to the healthy cells that surround them. We have previously shown that a molecule known as ‘hedgehog’ transmits biochemical signals between breast cancer cells and healthy cells. When hedgehog is ‘silenced’, tumours shrink and stop their spread. In this application, we will identify the cells receiving the hedgehog signal and identify how they support the growth and spread of breast cancers.