Differential roles of gene family members in development of a cell lineage. This project aims to investigate how a family of genes influence cells in the testis to become mature sperm. Testicular cells regulate gene activity via the Snail family of proteins during sperm development, and interruption of their activities reduces fertility in mice and fruit flies. The project aims to use genetic, cell biological and biochemical studies in Drosophila and mice to compare different Snail family protei ....Differential roles of gene family members in development of a cell lineage. This project aims to investigate how a family of genes influence cells in the testis to become mature sperm. Testicular cells regulate gene activity via the Snail family of proteins during sperm development, and interruption of their activities reduces fertility in mice and fruit flies. The project aims to use genetic, cell biological and biochemical studies in Drosophila and mice to compare different Snail family proteins in spermatogenesis. The outcomes will define the different roles of highly similar proteins from the same family in differentiation of a single cell lineage. This is important in generating functional tissues using in vitro laboratory approaches or understanding how normal development and developmental disorders arise.Read moreRead less
Understanding the potency and role of individual stem cells in the skin using Rainbow technology. To renew itself, the skin and its components rely on the activity of stem cells. This project will define more precisely the role of each individual stem cell by labelling them with a unique colour and following its fate. This project has the potential to change our current view on how the skin maintains and repairs itself.
Understanding the diverse biology of CD4+ T cell resident memory. This project aims to examine the biology of CD4 T cell memory in tissues. The previously unappreciated complexity of the CD4 T cell resident memory compartment in the liver will be characterised, focusing on the generation, maintenance and diversity of functions of these cells. Expected outcomes include the generation of fundamental knowledge in the disciplines of cellular biology and immunology, and unique, highly specialised stu ....Understanding the diverse biology of CD4+ T cell resident memory. This project aims to examine the biology of CD4 T cell memory in tissues. The previously unappreciated complexity of the CD4 T cell resident memory compartment in the liver will be characterised, focusing on the generation, maintenance and diversity of functions of these cells. Expected outcomes include the generation of fundamental knowledge in the disciplines of cellular biology and immunology, and unique, highly specialised student and personnel training through the interdisciplinary approach utilised, which spans cellular biology, live-imaging and transcriptomic analyses. Expected benefits include influential publications and the import of a novel, specialised technique to Australia through an international collaboration (Germany)Read moreRead less
Targeting mitochondria with mitocans to treat cancer: mechanistic aspects. Mitochondria are the power-house of the cell and also the reservoir of proteins causing the demise of cancer cells, therefore suppressing tumour progression. This project proposes a novel way to modify certain compounds, increasing their level in mitochondria in order to maximise their anti-cancer effect.
Mechanism and function of cell asymmetry during cell death. This project aims to investigate how dying cells rearrange their cellular contents to aid their removal.
More than 200 billions cells die daily in the human body. It is critical that dying cells are rapidly cleared as their buildup can interfere with normal tissue functions. This project will use a suite of contemporary molecular/cell biological approaches to study a newly identified process that occurs during cell death. Expected outc ....Mechanism and function of cell asymmetry during cell death. This project aims to investigate how dying cells rearrange their cellular contents to aid their removal.
More than 200 billions cells die daily in the human body. It is critical that dying cells are rapidly cleared as their buildup can interfere with normal tissue functions. This project will use a suite of contemporary molecular/cell biological approaches to study a newly identified process that occurs during cell death. Expected outcomes include a paradigm-shift in understanding the process of cell clearance.
This project is expected to generate fundamental new knowledge of the mechanisms by which dying cells are efficiently removed from tissues. This should provide significant benefits to the cell death and general cell biology fields.Read moreRead less
Mechanism and function of dying cell disassembly. This project aims to elucidate the molecular machinery that disassembles dying cells, and the role of this process in cell clearance. Billions of cells in the body die daily as part of normal turnover. Dying cells must be rapidly removed, as their accumulation can interfere with normal tissue functions. To efficiently clear dead cells, dying cells can disassemble into smaller fragments that neighbouring cells engulf. Understanding the mechanistic ....Mechanism and function of dying cell disassembly. This project aims to elucidate the molecular machinery that disassembles dying cells, and the role of this process in cell clearance. Billions of cells in the body die daily as part of normal turnover. Dying cells must be rapidly removed, as their accumulation can interfere with normal tissue functions. To efficiently clear dead cells, dying cells can disassemble into smaller fragments that neighbouring cells engulf. Understanding the mechanistic basis and function of dying cell disassembly is expected to generate knowledge of the downstream consequence of cell death. This breakthrough will be important in many fields of research including cell biology and biochemistry, and generate basic knowledge that can ultimately be applied in medical science to understand or treat pathological conditions associated with cell death.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms by which Beclin1 regulates intestinal homeostasis. This project aims to investigate if Beclin1, a protein which has an important and well-accepted role in promoting cell survival through the program of autophagy, has an alternate job mediating trafficking within a cell. Using novel mouse models and innovative techniques, the project aims to demonstrate the physiological importance of this alternate role for Beclin1. Expected outcomes include enhancing Australia's international researc ....Mechanisms by which Beclin1 regulates intestinal homeostasis. This project aims to investigate if Beclin1, a protein which has an important and well-accepted role in promoting cell survival through the program of autophagy, has an alternate job mediating trafficking within a cell. Using novel mouse models and innovative techniques, the project aims to demonstrate the physiological importance of this alternate role for Beclin1. Expected outcomes include enhancing Australia's international research standing, and providing research training for young scientists. Benefits include generation of new knowledge and a rethink of the basis for normal development and diseases where Beclin1 has been implicated.Read moreRead less
A cellular hub for the organisation of T cell priming. This project aims to delineate the cellular interactions involved in the initiation of immune responses by utilising advanced in vivo imaging. Adaptive immunity in vertebrates functions via the acquisition of signals by immune cells via complex interactions with other immune cells, yet these exchanges are difficult to observe and define. This project expects to provide insights into the mechanisms that underpin effective cell-mediated immune ....A cellular hub for the organisation of T cell priming. This project aims to delineate the cellular interactions involved in the initiation of immune responses by utilising advanced in vivo imaging. Adaptive immunity in vertebrates functions via the acquisition of signals by immune cells via complex interactions with other immune cells, yet these exchanges are difficult to observe and define. This project expects to provide insights into the mechanisms that underpin effective cell-mediated immune responses. The expected outcomes are to generate fundamental new knowledge about immune responses and enhance capacity to study the immune system. This could benefit future development of new vaccines and therapies to improve health.Read moreRead less
Defining the immunological roles of stromal cells within lymphoid tissues. The populations of endothelial and mesenchymal cells that construct the lymphoid tissues are being revealed as key players in the priming and orchestration of immune responses. Yet, fundamental knowledge of the molecular makeup and the functions of these stromal cells, particularly their roles in immune responses, is sorely lacking. This project will utilise a multidisciplinary approach including advanced imaging and bioi ....Defining the immunological roles of stromal cells within lymphoid tissues. The populations of endothelial and mesenchymal cells that construct the lymphoid tissues are being revealed as key players in the priming and orchestration of immune responses. Yet, fundamental knowledge of the molecular makeup and the functions of these stromal cells, particularly their roles in immune responses, is sorely lacking. This project will utilise a multidisciplinary approach including advanced imaging and bioinformatics to dissect the functions of the lymphoid stromal cells and their roles in the swelling of lymphoid tissues during immune responses. This will provide vital information about the biology of these understudied cells and reveal the ways in which they support the generation of immunity.Read moreRead less
Microenvironments which support extramedullary hematopoiesis. Tissue regeneration is a breakthrough technology absolutely dependent on knowledge of the stem cells and stromal cells which support differentiation and tissue development. This project investigates the stromal cell types in spleen which can regenerate blood-forming cells in an ectopic tissue site or artificial matrix.