Determination Of The Cellular Origins Of Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$705,563.00
Summary
Breast cancer is a highly heterogeneous disease with multiple molecular and histological subtypes. We propose to use novel genetically engineered mice to understand breast inter-tumoral heterogeneity by dissecting the cells of origin of breast cancer in vivo. Initially, we will examine whether long-lived stem or progenitor cells are the targets of breast carcinogenesis induced by a progesterone derivative using our state-of-the-art multi-coloured reporter models to track the cells in vivo.
How Does The Tumour Suppressor: Nerfin-1 Prevent Dietary Dependent Tumour Growth?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$630,942.00
Summary
The influence of diet has been linked to tumour growth for decades, however, there is little scientific evidence to support or disprove this. In this study, we will assess the effect of diet on tumours in fruit flies. The metabolic genes which regulate the growth of fly tumours will then be studied in human brain tumours. Our studies will ultimately shed light on how tissue growth is controlled by dietary intake, and have the potential to inform the way that we treat and manage human cancers.
Development Of Anti-tropomyosin Drugs For The Treatment Of Melanoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$578,352.00
Summary
Australia has the highest incidence of melanoma worldwide. There is a clear need to develop new strategies as melanoma is unresponsive to current treatment regimes. We have developed a compound, TR100, which targets a specific component of the cytoskeleton of melanoma tumour cells. Disruption of this cytoskeleton leads to decreased tumour cell growth and survival. Understanding the mechanism by which TR100 causes cell death is important if this novel anti-cancer compound is to be used in the cli ....Australia has the highest incidence of melanoma worldwide. There is a clear need to develop new strategies as melanoma is unresponsive to current treatment regimes. We have developed a compound, TR100, which targets a specific component of the cytoskeleton of melanoma tumour cells. Disruption of this cytoskeleton leads to decreased tumour cell growth and survival. Understanding the mechanism by which TR100 causes cell death is important if this novel anti-cancer compound is to be used in the clinic.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.
How do mechanical cues regulate tissue renewal and tumour progression? Imbalances between cell production and cell death in tissues can be catastrophic, leading to major global health issues such as cancer. This project will use modified mice and protein-protein interaction based techniques to identify how changes in the mechanical properties of tissues regulate the balance between cell production and cell death.
Role of endocytic mechanisms in mammalian cytokinesis. Cell division requires endocytic proteins and failed cell division can contribute to cancer. This project aims to understand how endocytic proteins function to complete cell division successfully and has implications for the development of chemotherapeutic agents to treat cancer.
Role Of LncRNA IDH1-AS1 In Regulating C-Myc Driven-glycolysis And Tumorigenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$685,043.00
Summary
It is thought that understanding cancer metabolism will reveal vulnerabilities that can be exploited in the clinic. Indeed, compared to most normal cells, cancer cells utilise different fuels to sustain proliferation and to adapt to their environment. Herein we have discovered a molecular switch that regulates the key metabolic enzyme IDH1 and show this controls tumour growth. Given this switch may be active in 50% of cancers we anticipate our work will have significance to many cancer types.
The Role Of ILK In Hedgehog Signaling And Medulloblastoma.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$452,248.00
Summary
Molecular signaling pathways regulate normal embryo development, and deregulated signaling by these pathways causes many cancers. Hedgehog (Hh) is a signalling pathway commonly activated by mutations in specific genes to cause cancer, including medulloblastoma, the most common brain tumour of childhood. We have discovered novel protein interactions in the Hh pathway, and will use animal models of Hh-dependent medulloblastoma to investigate new anti-cancer drugs targetting these proteins.
Mechanisms Of Hedgehog Signaling In Small Cell Lung Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$439,564.00
Summary
Some types of lung are very sensitive to chemotherapy, however they frequently relapse, at which time they become resistant to this form of treatment. This project investigates how embryonic signaling pathways, that normally function to regulate organ formation in development, are activated and promote tumor regrowth following chemotherapy for lung cancer.
Molecular Characterisation Of Telomere Trimming And Its Role In Cell Proliferative Capacity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$403,439.00
Summary
Telomeres are protective structures at the ends of chromosomes. Telomere length is a major determinant of how many times a cell can proliferate. We have recently discovered a rapid telomere shortening process that we have called telomere trimming. We will analyse the molecular details of this process to determine whether it could be used to shorten telomeres and stop cancer cell proliferation, and whether blocking it could increase cell proliferation in patients with short telomere syndromes.