Cytopathological roles of AMPK in mitochondrial dysfunction. This research project will benefit the Australian community by deepening our understanding of mitochondrial and neurodegenerative diseases. These diseases are incurable and treatment options are limited. The knowledge gained in this project should assist in the development of new or improved treatments. The project will also contribute to the training of young scientists in biomedical research and will enhance Australia's international ....Cytopathological roles of AMPK in mitochondrial dysfunction. This research project will benefit the Australian community by deepening our understanding of mitochondrial and neurodegenerative diseases. These diseases are incurable and treatment options are limited. The knowledge gained in this project should assist in the development of new or improved treatments. The project will also contribute to the training of young scientists in biomedical research and will enhance Australia's international scientific reputation because it involves a significant and novel biomedical discovery.
Read moreRead less
Molecular Investigations into Polyglutamine Repeat Proteins. The proposed research program, will provide significant fundamental insight into the processes that control protein aggregation and disease. Investigating processes central to protein aggregation is important, as it will further our understanding of these critically-important events and our understanding of disease processes. Such knowledge will increase Australia's international research standing, as well as having the potential to ....Molecular Investigations into Polyglutamine Repeat Proteins. The proposed research program, will provide significant fundamental insight into the processes that control protein aggregation and disease. Investigating processes central to protein aggregation is important, as it will further our understanding of these critically-important events and our understanding of disease processes. Such knowledge will increase Australia's international research standing, as well as having the potential to generate novel therapies, that prevent neurodegeneration.Read moreRead less
Analysing the detrimental effects of polyglutamine expansion. The proposed research program, will provide significant fundamental insight into the processes that control protein aggregation and its link with disease. Investigating processes central to protein aggregation is important as it will deepen our understanding of how proteins inappropriately change shape and our understanding of disease processes. Such knowledge will increase Australia's international research standing, as well as ha ....Analysing the detrimental effects of polyglutamine expansion. The proposed research program, will provide significant fundamental insight into the processes that control protein aggregation and its link with disease. Investigating processes central to protein aggregation is important as it will deepen our understanding of how proteins inappropriately change shape and our understanding of disease processes. Such knowledge will increase Australia's international research standing, as well as having the potential to generate novel therapies, that prevent neurodegeneration.Read moreRead less
Rapid functional analysis of genes involved in skeletal development. Abnormalities of the skeleton are of enormous clinical significance in terms of both number of individuals affected and the cost of treatment. Data derived from this project will underpin targeted research on the mechanisms of inherited and common diseases of cartilage and bone, yielding novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets. In addition, the improved knowledge of cartilage and bone cell development will inform new approache ....Rapid functional analysis of genes involved in skeletal development. Abnormalities of the skeleton are of enormous clinical significance in terms of both number of individuals affected and the cost of treatment. Data derived from this project will underpin targeted research on the mechanisms of inherited and common diseases of cartilage and bone, yielding novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets. In addition, the improved knowledge of cartilage and bone cell development will inform new approaches for developing stem cell therapies and the production of novel biomaterials for the repair of bones and joints. The outcomes of this study will therefore benefit the full spectrum of society from infants to the aged.Read moreRead less
Gene Discovery and Functional Analysis of Copper Homeostasis Genes in Drosophila. Copper is a vital nutrient required for the formation and maintenance of bones, blood vessels and the central nervous system, but copper is also potentially toxic when in excess. Homeostatic mechanisms are needed to maintain safe levels of copper in the body and disruptions to these mechanisms are associated with disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, heart disease and osteoporosis. We are investigating the regulat ....Gene Discovery and Functional Analysis of Copper Homeostasis Genes in Drosophila. Copper is a vital nutrient required for the formation and maintenance of bones, blood vessels and the central nervous system, but copper is also potentially toxic when in excess. Homeostatic mechanisms are needed to maintain safe levels of copper in the body and disruptions to these mechanisms are associated with disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, heart disease and osteoporosis. We are investigating the regulation of a key copper pump, the Menkes protein, which helps control copper levels in the body and we are using the genetic advantages of the fruit fly Drosophila to discover new genes that regulate Menkes activity and therefore copper levels. These studies could lead to novel therapies for a range of copper-related disorders.Read moreRead less
Functional characterization of SSB2: a novel single-stranded DNA binding protein. Defects in the DNA damage response pathway underpin many human genetic disorders and diseases. A detailed understanding of this pathway has enormous implications for future medicine. The proposed research will lead to functional characterization of a new protein, identify new concepts in DNA damage repair pathways, train young researchers and place Australia among the leaders in this internationally significant and ....Functional characterization of SSB2: a novel single-stranded DNA binding protein. Defects in the DNA damage response pathway underpin many human genetic disorders and diseases. A detailed understanding of this pathway has enormous implications for future medicine. The proposed research will lead to functional characterization of a new protein, identify new concepts in DNA damage repair pathways, train young researchers and place Australia among the leaders in this internationally significant and highly competitive area of research. It will underpin the national research priority of Promoting and Maintaining Good Health and help Australia capitalise on a plethora of opportunities for future economic and health benefits.Read moreRead less
The Molecular Basis of Copper Metabolism in Sheep. The unusual copper metabolism of sheep represents a significant agricultural problem. They are very susceptible to copper deficiency, but readily accumulate copper to toxic levels in the liver leading to fatal liver failure. We propose to elucidate the reason for the copper accumulation phenotype of sheep. We are focussing on WND, a copper transporter responsible for copper excretion into bile. We discovered a novel form of sheep WND designated ....The Molecular Basis of Copper Metabolism in Sheep. The unusual copper metabolism of sheep represents a significant agricultural problem. They are very susceptible to copper deficiency, but readily accumulate copper to toxic levels in the liver leading to fatal liver failure. We propose to elucidate the reason for the copper accumulation phenotype of sheep. We are focussing on WND, a copper transporter responsible for copper excretion into bile. We discovered a novel form of sheep WND designated WNDb to distinguish it from the normal form, WNDa. The experiments outlined are designed to understand the function of both proteins in the sheep and their role in copper sequestration.Read moreRead less
Discovering mechanisms of primary embryonic tissue migration through live cell imaging and novel genetic approaches. The studies proposed here will provide concepts and knowledge about the molecular basis of cell migration that will impact on diverse aspects of human health, such as the causes and nature of tumour metastasis and our understanding of the developmental basis of birth defects. In addition, understanding cell migration mechanisms will allow us to better predict or control the behav ....Discovering mechanisms of primary embryonic tissue migration through live cell imaging and novel genetic approaches. The studies proposed here will provide concepts and knowledge about the molecular basis of cell migration that will impact on diverse aspects of human health, such as the causes and nature of tumour metastasis and our understanding of the developmental basis of birth defects. In addition, understanding cell migration mechanisms will allow us to better predict or control the behaviour of therapeutic stem cells introduced into the body.Read moreRead less
The genetic regulation of organogenesis: endoderm development in the Drosophila embryo. Embryonic development is an important research field in biology, not only for its extraordinary complexity but also because of the insights it provides into molecular processes that underpin a variety of diseases. This project aims to discover genes and molecules that regulate the normal development of one of the most important organs, the gut.
Endocardial sprouting and mechano-signalling in heart trabeculation. This project aims to understand how the ventricles, the pumping chambers of the mammalian heart, form during embryonic life. Critical is the elaboration of trabeculae, myocardial projections that form a sponge-like layer on the inner surface of the chamber wall and which play vital roles in contraction, oxygen and nutrient exchange, conduction and septation. The project expects to develop a deeper understanding of trabeculation ....Endocardial sprouting and mechano-signalling in heart trabeculation. This project aims to understand how the ventricles, the pumping chambers of the mammalian heart, form during embryonic life. Critical is the elaboration of trabeculae, myocardial projections that form a sponge-like layer on the inner surface of the chamber wall and which play vital roles in contraction, oxygen and nutrient exchange, conduction and septation. The project expects to develop a deeper understanding of trabeculation using high resolution, single cell methodologies, and to investigate how bio-mechanical forces from contraction or blood flow influence chambers formation.Read moreRead less