Understanding The Developmental Basis Of Kidney Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$622,655.00
Summary
Kidney disease is a considerable burden on the health system and much of it derives from events that occur during organ development. In this grant I will investigate why human nephron number varies between people, how renal cysts form and what genes are mutated in patients with congenital kidney malformations.
Effects Of The Histone Acetyltransferases MOZ And QKF On Chromatin Modifications
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$349,576.00
Summary
Cancer of the blood (leukaemia) can be caused by rearrangements of the genetic material (DNA) that cause fusions between ordinarily separate proteins. Monocytic leukaemia zinc finger (MOZ) fusion proteins cause aggressive leukaemia. We have shown that MOZ associates with DNA packaged with histone proteins into chromatin, changes histones and gene activity. We will examine how MOZ and the closely related QKF protein affect the chromatin to elucidate the function of MOZ and QKF.
Hormonal Responsive Coding And Non-coding Genes In Penile Differentiation And Hypospadias
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$835,182.00
Summary
Hypospadias, a failure of the correct formation of the penis, is the second-most common birth defect, occurring in around 1% of boys. It causes distress to both newborn and parents, requiring surgical intervention, and is a burden of cost and is a risk to the child. Furthermore, it is frequently associated with other abnormalities. We have a novel model in which we can induce penis abnormalities and define the link between hormonal exposures and defective penis differentiation.
Targeting Of Callosal Axons To Duplicate Cortical Areas In The Contralateral Hemisphere
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,785.00
Summary
The two sides of the brain communicate via a large fibre tract called the corpus callosum. This proposal investigates how the corpus callosum is formed during embryonic and postnatal development. Specifically, we investigate how the axons that make up the corpus callosum are able to locate their precise target in the contralateral hemisphere so that the brain circuit they form will be functional. We have developed a new mouse model to discover the fundamental mechanisms regulating how the brain ....The two sides of the brain communicate via a large fibre tract called the corpus callosum. This proposal investigates how the corpus callosum is formed during embryonic and postnatal development. Specifically, we investigate how the axons that make up the corpus callosum are able to locate their precise target in the contralateral hemisphere so that the brain circuit they form will be functional. We have developed a new mouse model to discover the fundamental mechanisms regulating how the brain is wired in order to function correctly.Read moreRead less
Guidance Mechanisms Regulating The Development Of Axonal Projections From The Cingulate Cortex.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$484,236.00
Summary
The corpus callosum is the largest fibre tract in the brain and connects neurons in the left and right cerebral hemispheres. A subpopulation of callosal axons arise from neurons in the cingulate cortex and are the first to cross the midline. Defects in activation or wiring of the cingulate cortex are strongly implicated in acute pain, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. This proposal investigates how the commissural projections of the cingulate cortex become wired up during development.
Gtf2ird1 And The Molecular And Cellular Basis Of Human Behaviour
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$589,160.00
Summary
Williams-Beuren Syndrome (WBS) is a genetic disease caused by a chromosomal deletion, resulting in individuals with a distinctive set of cognitive malfunctions and personality traits. WBS provides an invaluable means to identify, and potentially therapeutically modify, genes that influence human mood and behaviour. A gene we discovered, GTF2IRD1, appears to cause the most prominent behavioural features. We will characterize the role(s) that this gene plays in brain cell function.
Cellular And Molecular Regulation Of Interhemispheric Fusion
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$449,489.00
Summary
In the developing brain, the two cerebral hemispheres undergo interhemispheric fusion to allow commissural fibres to cross the midline. Lack of interhemispheric fusion results in agenesis of the corpus callosum and may manifest as an interhemispheric cyst in acallosal patients. This project will investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate interhemispheric fusion, including removal of the leptomeninges, astroglial differentiation and the formation of adherens junctions at the ....In the developing brain, the two cerebral hemispheres undergo interhemispheric fusion to allow commissural fibres to cross the midline. Lack of interhemispheric fusion results in agenesis of the corpus callosum and may manifest as an interhemispheric cyst in acallosal patients. This project will investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate interhemispheric fusion, including removal of the leptomeninges, astroglial differentiation and the formation of adherens junctions at the interhemispheric fissure to mediate fusion.Read moreRead less
The Role Of Rnd Genes During Cortical Neurogenesis And Cell Migration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$410,384.00
Summary
In order for the brain to function properly, tens of billions of neurons within it first have to be born, then find their proper location before connecting with other neurons in a highly ordered fashion. Failure of these key processes heavily impacts on subsequent brain function, and have been shown to underlie several disorders including epilepsy. This study will investigate how members of the Rnd gene family control cell production and positioning within the developing brain.
Developmental Genetics And Stem Cell Biology Of Birth Defects And Cell Based Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$823,008.00
Summary
Professor Tam is a mammalian embryologist studying the genetic and cellular mechanisms that form and shape the embryo and its organs during development. His work will help us to understand the causes of birth defects, how to prevent them and to correct the disorders by stem cell-based therapy.
Much of our current knowledge on development of external genitalia (ExG), the penis and clitoris, comes from 20 &70 year-old studies (1); but with significant developments in contemporary imaging and new mouse models, we have new data. The overall goal of this project is to prove the hypothesis that penile and clitoral development is estrogen- (and androgen-) dependent and, to show that the administration of exogenous endocrine disrupting chemicals that alter the balance between estrogen and and ....Much of our current knowledge on development of external genitalia (ExG), the penis and clitoris, comes from 20 &70 year-old studies (1); but with significant developments in contemporary imaging and new mouse models, we have new data. The overall goal of this project is to prove the hypothesis that penile and clitoral development is estrogen- (and androgen-) dependent and, to show that the administration of exogenous endocrine disrupting chemicals that alter the balance between estrogen and androgen will disrupt ExG development.Read moreRead less