Evaluation Of Molecular Mechanisms Driving Metastasis Using Integrated Intravital Imaging
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$885,271.00
Summary
Metastasis is the leading cause of cancer-associated death. Understanding key steps that drive the spread of cancer is critical to improve current treatment strategies. Using cutting-edge imaging technology and 3-dimensional model systems that mimic the disease, we will pinpoint key events that are susceptible to drug intervention and identify new therapeutic targets.
Elucidating The Role Of Claudin-2 In Tumour Initiation And Metastasis Development From Colorectal Cancer: Consequence For Tumour Relapse
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$398,993.00
Summary
Mortality from colorectal cancer is often due to the development of metastases. Cancer stem cells (CSC) are suspected to provide a major drive for metastasis development, to resist current therapies, and to initiate tumour relapse. Yet, little is known about mechanisms that control CSC behaviour. Our project investigates the role of claudin-2, a cell adhesion protein that is strongly overexpressed in colorectal cancer, in the regulation of CSCs, metastasis development and tumour relapse.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100092
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,000.00
Summary
Fluorescence microscopy with optical tweezers: imaging cellular responses. Life relies on the ability of our cells to receive and respond to signals with pinpoint accuracy, involving both chemical and mechanical signals. This equipment will allow scientists to expose cells to both types of signals and measure the response at an unprecedented level of accuracy for the first time.
Inhibiting Mutant FGFR2 In Endometrial Cancer By Extracellular Blockade
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$354,859.00
Summary
Endometrial cancer is a common gynecological cancer in women and new therapies are required to improve survival rates. We have identified mutations in a key cell membrane protein (FGFR2) and shown that endometrial cancer cells with these mutations have altered growth factor dependence. Inhibiting these mutant proteins can result in cell death. By characterizing these mutations and their cellular effects we will be able to develop specific blocking agents for use as potential novel treatments
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE140100166
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$370,000.00
Summary
Imaging Cell and Tissue Architecture using Confocal and Super-Resolution Microscopy. Imaging cell and tissue architecture using confocal and super-resolution microscopy: This project aims to understand how the architecture of cells and tissues is controlled. This is because the organisation of biological space underpins the function of cells, tissues and organisms. This project will test the role of identified parts of cell architecture in regulating specific animal functions/pathologies. It wil ....Imaging Cell and Tissue Architecture using Confocal and Super-Resolution Microscopy. Imaging cell and tissue architecture using confocal and super-resolution microscopy: This project aims to understand how the architecture of cells and tissues is controlled. This is because the organisation of biological space underpins the function of cells, tissues and organisms. This project will test the role of identified parts of cell architecture in regulating specific animal functions/pathologies. It will do this by using new microscope technologies which are at the frontier of visualising cell structure in isolation and in the context of tissue including application to the living animal. The dynamic organisation of structures in cells will be imaged in living tissue. Novel insights into structure/function relationships in the body will impact the health industry and generate opportunities for new diagnostics and therapeutics. Read moreRead less
The Role Of Redox Regulation In Controlling The Oncogenic Function Of Eph Receptors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$71,766.00
Summary
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced in cancers activate cell surface receptor signalling pathways that drive cancer progression. I will study links between ROS and receptor signalling in cancer cells, and inhibit signalling with ROS scavengers delivered in nanoparticles, targeted to receptor complexes with specific antibodies. These will include antibodies we raised against ADAM10, a protease associated with multiple receptor signalling pathways, to simultaneously inhibit these pathways.
Development and validation of virtual epithelial cancer models using an integrated modelling and experimental three-dimensional approach. The mathematical and experimental modelling of the human prostate and ovary applying quantitative bioengineering concepts will lead to virtual cancer models. This project aims to validate these multi-scale models to delineate biological and pathological avenues in healthy and disease tissue and improve prevention and treatment of prostate and ovarian cancer.
Identifying Cell Type Specific Biomarkers Of Recurrent Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma And Mapping Cancer-stroma Interactions Using Single Cell Biology And Cell-to-cell Communication Networks
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$892,858.00
Summary
Cancer is a major cause of death in Australia. Despite advances in our understanding of the mutations that occur and the sets of genes expressed in cancer we have a major gap in our understanding of what is happening within tumours. Using new single cell technology we will generate new molecular portraits of cancers that give us understanding of the sets of genes expressed on individual cancer cells, the normal cells within a tumour and how they interact with cancer cells to form a tumour.
The Clinical Significance Of Sex Hormone Crosstalk In Estrogen Receptor Positive Breast Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,009,006.00
Summary
Breast cancer is mainly a disease in which the sex hormone estrogen stimulates uncontrolled growth. We have recently discovered that other sex hormones, including progesterone and androgen, can redirect the actions of estrogen in breast cancers to halt growth or make a tumour disappear. This study will examine the complex interaction between all three sex hormones to develop new, more effective strategies for treating breast cancer.
Determination of cellular mechanisms underpinning cancer cell metastasis through integrated in vivo imaging approaches. Understanding key steps that drive the spread of cancer is critical to improve current treatment strategies. Using cutting-edge imaging technology and in vivo model systems that mimic the disease, this project will pinpoint key events that are susceptible to drug intervention and identify new therapeutic targets.