Progenitor Origin And Regulation In Endometrial Regeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$847,583.00
Summary
The endometrium is the lining of the uterus and regenerates each month during a woman's reproductive years. Stem and progenitor cells in the endometrium are thought to be responsible for this regeneration. We have identified a genetic marker for stem and progenitor cells in the endometrium of mice and will use this to understand endometrial regeneration. This work will address infertility as well as overactive endometrial growth in diseases such as endometriosis and endometrial cancer.
Selective Targeting Of Adjuvant Therapy For Endometrial Cancer: The STATEC Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,239,309.00
Summary
This international collaborative trial for women with aggressive endometrial cancer will investigate whether lymph node removal (lymphadenectomy) at time of hysterectomy is needed to predict whether patients need additional treatment, compared to not removing the lymph nodes and giving additional treatment to all such patients. If we can select patients who need further treatment more accurately, we will avoid giving patients unnecessary toxic treatment which impacts on their quality of life.
Investigating The Use Of Metformin For The Prevention Of Endometrial Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$676,755.00
Summary
Endometrial (uterine) cancer affects approximately 3% of women. Obesity and oestrogen exposure are risk factors for this cancer. A novel approach to prevent endometrial cancer would be to oppose the effects of insulin and oestrogen on endometrial cell growth. This study will investigate whether metformin, commonly used to treat diabetes, blocks cellular pathways by which oestrogen and insulin stimulate endometrial cell growth, and thus evaluate the possibility that metformin might be useful in p ....Endometrial (uterine) cancer affects approximately 3% of women. Obesity and oestrogen exposure are risk factors for this cancer. A novel approach to prevent endometrial cancer would be to oppose the effects of insulin and oestrogen on endometrial cell growth. This study will investigate whether metformin, commonly used to treat diabetes, blocks cellular pathways by which oestrogen and insulin stimulate endometrial cell growth, and thus evaluate the possibility that metformin might be useful in preventing endometrial cancer.Read moreRead less
How Does The Endometrium Regenerate? Role Of Epithelial Stem/progenitor Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$663,397.00
Summary
Endometriosis and endometrial cancer are disorders of endometrial growth and regeneration. We recently discovered adult stem cells in the endometrium (uterine lining), which are responsible for its regeneration each month during the menstrual cycle. We aim to examine the role of a molecular pathway in endometrial epithelial stem cell function during endometrial regeneration to identify novel targets for devising more effective non-hormonal therapies for endometriosis and endometrial cancer.
Understanding Intrinsic And Acquired Resistance To Anti-FGFR Therapies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$797,051.00
Summary
In vitro and in vivo preclinical data suggests that inhibition of FGFR in endometrial cancer patients may be a viable therapeutic approach. Data from other cancers suggests that despite remarkable initial responses to kinase inhibitors, cancer cells eventually develop resistance. This project aims to identify and characterize the mechanisms of resistance that emerge following FGFR inhibition in order to design combination therapies that may delay and/or prevent the emergence of resistance.
Extension Of A Two-stage Genome-wide Association Study Of Endometrial Cancer: Validation Of Endometrial Cancer Risk-associated Alleles And Identification Of ‘multiple-cancer’ Risk Loci
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$703,870.00
Summary
Endometrial cancer (uterine/womb cancer) is the most common invasive gynaecological cancer in Australia. Each year more than 1400 women are affected by the condition. Our study is comparing genetic markers seen in patients to unaffected controls in an unbiased way to identify genetic factors that increase risk of this and other hormonal cancers, to better understand the causes of cancer. This will provide information for to help develop targeted therapies to prevent progression in the future.
Innovative Use Of Hydrogel Technology To Recapitulate And Investigate Cardiac Pathology.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$716,162.00
Summary
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the leading cause of sudden death in the young. No treatment exists that can reverse or prevent it, primarily because the underlying mechanisms of the disease have not been fully elucidated. I will use innovative hydrogel technology to simulate the disease state. I will use this as a tool to identify the mechanisms involved with development of the disease. This will enable identification of potential therapeutic targets for prevention of the disease.
The Role Of Dynamin In Spermatogenesis, Sperm Maturation And Sperm-oocyte Interactions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$551,950.00
Summary
Male infertility is an extremely common condition affecting 1 in 20 Australian men. One of the major reasons for this pathology is that the spermatozoa have lost their ability to interact with the egg and penetrate its outer vestments. In this project we shall investigate the role of dynamin in the regulation of these events. This research will provide new and powerful insights into the causes of male infertility, with practical implications for diagnosis and treatment of this condition.
In Vivo Analysis Of The Molecular And Neural Mechanism That Underly An Association Of MiRNAs With Mental Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$593,778.00
Summary
Genetic studies on autism, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression suggest that these disorders affect the formation and maintenance of connections between neurons. A group of brain-specific microRNAs, which are regulatory molecules, are predicted to regulate connectivity. Levels of these molecules are found to be abnormal in brains of patients with schizophrenia. This proposal aims to elucidate the function of these microRNAs in the number of neuronal connections, and early motor b ....Genetic studies on autism, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression suggest that these disorders affect the formation and maintenance of connections between neurons. A group of brain-specific microRNAs, which are regulatory molecules, are predicted to regulate connectivity. Levels of these molecules are found to be abnormal in brains of patients with schizophrenia. This proposal aims to elucidate the function of these microRNAs in the number of neuronal connections, and early motor behavior in transgenic zebrafish.Read moreRead less
Protective Role Of The Depressor Arm Of The Renin-angiotensin System During Pregnancy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$633,384.00
Summary
The motivation for unveiling the normal hormonal and molecular mechanisms involved in the extraordinary vasodilatation associated with pregnancy is that understanding these fundamental processes may provide novel insights into the pathophysiology of preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction, as well as potential therapeutic strategies for not only the treatment of these pregnancy specific conditions but also cardiovascular and renal diseases in non-pregnant women and men.