Functional Characterisation Of Long Spliced NcRNAs
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$649,230.00
Summary
Genome sequencing projects suggest we only have approximately thirty thousand coding genes which was previously considered to be far too few to provide the blueprint for generation of human complexity. More surprising was the discovery that 3-5% of the genome is transcribed but not translated into protein. The function of these non-coding RNAs is unknown but hotly debated. Is it junk? Or does it play a new key role in programming development? This grant will address this question directly.
Characterization Of A Novel Regulator Of Angiogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$592,235.00
Summary
PI3K is an enzyme required for new blood vessel formation during embryo development as well as in response to tumour formation. We have identified a novel enzyme that opposes PI3K signals and we hypothesise that it regulates new blood vessel formation in various physiological settings. We propose to investigate the role of this enzyme in blood vessels using mouse models in which this protein is reduced or absent.
Defining The Role Of The Ubiquitin Protein Ligase Nedd4 In Vascular Development.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$702,166.00
Summary
Blood and lymphatic vessels are vital components of the cardiovascular system. Abnormalities in the growth and development of these vessels are associated with human disorders including cancer and cardiovascular disease. The focus of this application is to characterise the role of the ubiquitin protein ligase Nedd4 in vascular development, with the aim of identifying targets to which novel therapeutics for the treatment of blood and lymphatic vascular diseases could be generated.
Understanding Human Dysmorphology Through Analysis Of ENU Mutant Mice
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$602,501.00
Summary
Birth defects are common and have an enormous impact on both the individual and their family. Birth defects are by definition the products of abnormal development of the embryo. Our research is aimed at identifying the normal mechanisms that usually prevail during development and the disturbances to those mechanisms that result in birth defects. These findings will lead to improved diagnostic, therapeutic and preventative options for families affected by birth defects
Rapid Identification And Characterisation Of Genes Involved In Skeletal Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$550,536.00
Summary
Birth defects are common and have an enormous impact on both the individual and their family. Birth defects are by definition the products of abnormal development of the embryo. Our research is aimed at identifying the normal mechanisms that usually prevail during development and the disturbances to those mechanisms that result in birth defects. These findings will lead to improved diagnostic, therapeutic and preventative options for families affected by birth defects
The Hippo Pathway, Neural Stem Cells And Brain Growth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$363,137.00
Summary
During organism development, the brain grows to the right size without overgrowing. Neural stem cells are key regulators of brain size. We will define how the Hippo pathway crosstalks with nutrition-induced signals to control proliferation of neural stem cells and brain size. As well as producing important insights into normal growth, we will increase our understanding of brain diseases associated with aberrant brain growth, such as cancer.
Dissecting The Embryonic Blood-endothelial Regulatory Code And Investigating Its Role In Leukaemia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$646,389.00
Summary
Cancer initiating cells acquire stem cell characteristics and multiply within a supportive environment that helps maintain and propagate malignant cells. Identifying the normal hierarchy of gene control within blood stem cells and designing therapies that target cancer cells is the ultimate goal of this body of work.
Defining The Role Of Nedd4 In Neural Crest Cell Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$541,565.00
Summary
Neural crest cells are specialised stem cells that give rise to many tissues and organs during embryonic development. We recently identified an essential role for a regulatory protein in neural crest cells. Our research is aimed at understanding how this protein influences the growth of structures such as the heart and facial skeleton. Understanding these processes underpins the ultimate goal of implementing diagnostic and preventative medicine for highly prevalent congenital birth defects.
Defining The Role Of VEGF And Vascular Formation In Craniofacial Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$636,417.00
Summary
Aberrant neural crest cell development gives rise to common congenital malformations such as cleft lip and/or palate and cardiac outflow tract defects that effect over 1% of all births. As the aetiology of these disorders are largely unknown it is critical to understand the cell and molecular mechanisms coordinating NCC development such that alternative therapies may be devised to target the underlying pathological defects and to provide definitive diagnostic / prognostic tools.
Defining The Molecular Events That Initiate The Genesis Of Lymphatic Vessels.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$555,325.00
Summary
Lymphatic vessels are a vital component of the cardiovascular system. Abnormalities in the growth and development of lymphatic vessels are associated with human disorders including lymphoedema, cancer and inflammatory diseases. The focus of this application is to determine the molecular events that initiate the construction of lymphatic vessels, with the aim of identifying targets to which novel therapeutics for the treatment of lymphatic vascular diseases could be generated.