Epigenetic Regulation By PKC-theta In Human Breast Cancer Stem Cells.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$818,132.00
Summary
Treating women with advanced breast cancer is difficult, and new drugs are needed to kill the cancer stem cells that cause recurrence. We think that a newly discovered protein, PKC-?, plays an important role in recurring breast cancer and can be targeted using novel ‘epigenetic’ drugs. Here, we will use cutting-edge DNA techniques to learn how this protein controls how cancer cells grow and produce the necessary data to show that targeting this protein is likely to be effective in real patients.
The dramatic increase in obesity and age-related metabolic disorders demonstrates the importance of gaining a better understanding of how cells and organisms regulate their energy stores. This project will identify novel molecular mechanisms that control the enzyme CaMKK2, which is a key regulator of whole-body energy metabolism. This will provide new opportunities to inform more effective strategies to tackle metabolic diseases, and improve health in an increasingly ageing population.
Targeting Cytokine Signalling In Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$917,626.00
Summary
Systemic lupus erythematosus is a disease where the immune system attacks normally healthy tissues. The spontaneous overproduction of signalling molecules called interferons in lupus plays an important role in the severity of the disease. We have found that two proteins, named Bcl6 and PLZF, are important in controlling the interferon response in lupus patients. We propose that identifying how these proteins act to control interferon will aid in developing new treatments for lupus.