Identifying An Autism Gene Network Governing Stem Cell Division, Neurogenesis And Cortical Malformation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,003,589.00
Summary
Failure to produce neural stem cells and new neurons in the embryonic cortex results in cortical malformations and autism, and thus has profound consequences for the individual's survival and quality of life. Here we explore how a unique network of autism proteins maintains stem cell activity and neuronal production, thereby ensuring the fidelity of cortical development.
Understanding The Role Of Lipid In Membrane Permeabilization By The Bcl-2 Family Executioner Proteins
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$626,524.00
Summary
Apoptosis is a form of programmed cell death that protects our bodies from dangerous cells, e.g cells infected with viruses or that might become cancerous. A network of protein families control this process and this work will understand how certain members regulate a crucial step in this cell death pathway. Our studies will reveal key insights into apoptosis at the molecular level and inform the development of therapeutics for diseases characterised by dysregulated cell death such as cancer.
Probing Changes In G Protein-coupled Receptor Signalling Networks During Breast Cancer Progression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$892,733.00
Summary
The b2-adrenoceptor is a protein receptor that enables cells to respond to hormones. In breast cancer, this receptor causes more aggressive tumour cells to metastasise faster in response to stress. This proposal aims to understand why this response occurs in only very aggressive cells, and to identify how we can better target blocking drugs to this receptor. This could allow us to design better drugs with fewer side effects.
The rapid interactions of circulating human blood platelets is critical to prevent bleeding, but can cause thrombotic diseases (heart attack, stroke). These highly regulated interactions involve specific adhesive proteins. Our studies will define factors regulating platelet interactions. Imaging the thrombotic process will quantify platelet function at an unprecedented resolution and we have a panel of new candidate reagents that will be assessed for antithrombotic potential.
Pathways That Regulate Nuclear Export Of Circular RNA
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$933,327.00
Summary
An emerging and unusual class of RNA molecules, circular RNAs (circRNAs), is widespread and plays important roles in cancer initiation and progression. However, the pathways responsible for nuclear export of circRNAs are unknown. We propose here to systematically determine how circRNAs are exported from the nucleus and characterise the effect of modulating circRNA export pathways in cancer. This will enable us to determine whether circRNAs can function as a biomarker of patient response.
Investigating The Role Of Mitochondrial Tom40 In Regulated Cell Death And Neurodegeneration.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$972,660.00
Summary
Mitochondria are internal compartments of cells, separated by bounding membranes. They are crucial to the life and death of cells, and to quality of human life and ageing. Diseases of the nervous system can be caused when mitochondria do not function properly. Our aim is to discover why a protein complex called TOM embedded in the bounding membrane is linked to dementia in some people. This will also lead to a better general understanding of the connection between mitochondria and human health.
Identifying How The Enteric Nervous System Regulates Gut Permeability In Autism
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$448,643.00
Summary
This project aims to investigate causes of increased gut permeability in neurological disorders including autism and will apply neuroscience, immunological and microbiology techniques to clarify the causes of increased gut permeability in a well-characterised genetic mouse model of autism.
Targeting Antimicrobial Resistance And Host Immune Evasion In Staphylococcus Aureus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$892,831.00
Summary
This project aims to show how one of the most important human superbugs, Staphylococcus aureus (Golden staph), develops resistance to one of our most important last-line antibiotics and the immune system to cause life-threatening infections. Our work will also investigate and test new treatment strategies for this common and challenging human pathogen.
Bivalent Analgesics: Rational Design Of Selective Ion Channel Inhibitors With Optimised Mechanism Of Action
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$904,890.00
Summary
The so-called 'opioid crisis' leading to the death of millions of people worldwide has highlighted the urgent need for development of novel safe and efficacious pain killers without addictive potential. This proposal aims to rationally design novel analgesic compounds by linking different classes of ion channel modulators with desirable properties.
Investigating The Consequences Of Dysregulated Lipogenesis In Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,647.00
Summary
Reprogramming of cellular metabolism is a hallmark of cancer. As such, there has been growing interest in developing strategies to exploit metabolism for therapeutic gain. Our ability to do this is dependent on a thorough understanding of the mechanisms by which dysregulation of cellular metabolism contributes to tumour progression. In this project, we seek to the investigate the fundamental mechanisms by which aberrant activation of lipid metabolism contributes to the tumourigenic process.