Investigation of novel mechanisms for the regulation of sperm-oocyte interactions. Through work with national and international collaborators, this project aims to provide unprecedented insights into how spermatozoa recognise and bind to an oocyte. The approach is based on strong preliminary data indicating that molecular chaperones play a key role in the functional remodelling of the spermatozoon by promoting the assembly of multimeric oocyte receptor complexes. Through the use of state-of-the ....Investigation of novel mechanisms for the regulation of sperm-oocyte interactions. Through work with national and international collaborators, this project aims to provide unprecedented insights into how spermatozoa recognise and bind to an oocyte. The approach is based on strong preliminary data indicating that molecular chaperones play a key role in the functional remodelling of the spermatozoon by promoting the assembly of multimeric oocyte receptor complexes. Through the use of state-of-the-art cell biology and proteomic technologies, the project aims to investigate how molecular chaperones orchestrate these changes and in doing so, improve understanding of the fertilisation cascade and open up new contraceptive strategies.Read moreRead less
Regulation of tissue morphogenesis in reproductive function and metastatic cancer. Infertility, endocrine and metabolic disorders and reproductive cancers are all increasing medical problems and principal contributors to morbidity and mortality in the Australian community. This research takes the novel approach of investigating the mechanisms of dynamic remodeling in reproductive organs. Novel hormonally controlled mechanisms of tissue remodeling unique to reproductive organs and cancers in ad ....Regulation of tissue morphogenesis in reproductive function and metastatic cancer. Infertility, endocrine and metabolic disorders and reproductive cancers are all increasing medical problems and principal contributors to morbidity and mortality in the Australian community. This research takes the novel approach of investigating the mechanisms of dynamic remodeling in reproductive organs. Novel hormonally controlled mechanisms of tissue remodeling unique to reproductive organs and cancers in adults have been discovered. The results are being applied to new medical alternatives for infertile patients and new diagnostics and therapeutics for patients with metastatic cancers. The information is also being applied to improve reproductive efficiency in animal production industries.Read moreRead less
Breaching membrane barriers. This project will endeavour to develop novel molecular transporters to deliver macromolecules inside cells or microorganisms. Cell membranes are barriers to macromolecules. The ability to cross these barriers and deliver biological macromolecules into cells represents a major achievement with endless opportunities to modulate pathways and to introduce biomarkers, therapeutics and research tools. The project’s novel platform technology would be based on stable cyclic ....Breaching membrane barriers. This project will endeavour to develop novel molecular transporters to deliver macromolecules inside cells or microorganisms. Cell membranes are barriers to macromolecules. The ability to cross these barriers and deliver biological macromolecules into cells represents a major achievement with endless opportunities to modulate pathways and to introduce biomarkers, therapeutics and research tools. The project’s novel platform technology would be based on stable cyclic peptides to deliver genes, proteins, probes or biomarkers into distinct cell types that can monitor or modulate specific pathways and be translated into new knowledge and specific industrial applications.Read moreRead less
The discovery and characterisation of novel protein regulators of blood cell formation. All of the mature blood cells in the human body are derived from a common ancestor cell type known as a stem cell. Our proposed studies will enhance our knowledge of how functional, mature blood cells are formed from stem cells and how dysregulation of these normally tightly controlled pathways can give rise to severe blood diseases.
Molecular dissection of malaria parasite motility and host-cell invasion across the lifecycle. Malaria parasites move in a unique way, gliding across cell surfaces and infecting host cells using a unique molecular motor. This research aims to understand the molecular mechanics behind parasite movement and use this to develop novel drugs that might throw a spanner in the parasite motor, blocking movement and thereby preventing malaria disease.
Imaging the generation and recall of protective antiviral immune responses in vivo. Our understanding of the in vivo dynamics of cellular immune responses to infectious diseases is poor. This project will utilise advanced intravital imaging combined with novel tools to dissect the cellular events involved in the generation and recall of T cell responses to localised virus infection, combined with a detailed functional analysis of the lymphoid organ stroma. Such fundamental information will contr ....Imaging the generation and recall of protective antiviral immune responses in vivo. Our understanding of the in vivo dynamics of cellular immune responses to infectious diseases is poor. This project will utilise advanced intravital imaging combined with novel tools to dissect the cellular events involved in the generation and recall of T cell responses to localised virus infection, combined with a detailed functional analysis of the lymphoid organ stroma. Such fundamental information will contribute to the development of new generation vaccines and therapies to protect against tissue-specific infectious diseases, cancers and autoimmune diseases.Read moreRead less
Mimetics and small chemical compounds for hemopoietic stem cell mobilisation. This project will result in the design and synthesis of new chemical compounds that could be used clinically to help collect blood stem cells for bone marrow transplantation. For patients this will mean more effective and less painful ways to collect stem cells and better transplant outcomes. There is a large, ongoing international market for this type of drug and likelihood of significant financial benefit.
Genetic dissection of cardiac morphogenesis. The human heart is critical for survival and yet, despite its importance, we still lack a basic understanding of how it forms. This project aims to discover new genes involved in cardiac development so we can understand how to build a heart. Armed with this information, this research will assist in devising strategies for the repair of congenital and acquired heart disease.
The mechanochemical basis of cell polarity. This project aims to study how epithelial cells initiate polarisation, a major question in biology that conventional biochemical, cell biological and genetic approaches have not answered. This project will investigate the mechanochemical basis of symmetry breaking in the cellular cortex, a thin layer of actomyosin filaments underneath the plasma membrane, and how this forms signalling zones. Understanding polarity is expected to improve epithelia manip ....The mechanochemical basis of cell polarity. This project aims to study how epithelial cells initiate polarisation, a major question in biology that conventional biochemical, cell biological and genetic approaches have not answered. This project will investigate the mechanochemical basis of symmetry breaking in the cellular cortex, a thin layer of actomyosin filaments underneath the plasma membrane, and how this forms signalling zones. Understanding polarity is expected to improve epithelia manipulation in disciplines from tissue engineering to regenerative biology and reveal how epithelial architecture and physiology are generated.Read moreRead less
Cellular Organisation of Protective Immune Responses. Our immune system consists of a task force of white blood cells that coordinate to defeat invading pathogens. Research has revealed a cell receptor, CXCR3, controls immune cell interactions, which determine immune control and protection during initial cell activation and viral infection. This project will use a multi-disciplinary approach combining viral immunology, unique mouse models, advanced imaging, and bioinformatic analyses to dissect ....Cellular Organisation of Protective Immune Responses. Our immune system consists of a task force of white blood cells that coordinate to defeat invading pathogens. Research has revealed a cell receptor, CXCR3, controls immune cell interactions, which determine immune control and protection during initial cell activation and viral infection. This project will use a multi-disciplinary approach combining viral immunology, unique mouse models, advanced imaging, and bioinformatic analyses to dissect the cellular conversations that underpin immune protection. Revealing the mechanisms of cellular interactions during an immune response will have a major impact on development of targeted vaccines, and therapeutics (particularly for chronic infections and cancer), which are major health burdens.Read moreRead less