Developing A New Treatment Method To Prevent Lymphopenia Associated With Sepsis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$435,939.00
Summary
Sepsis or blood poisoning kills more people than breast cancer, prostate cancer and HIV/AIDS combined. It has a huge economic burden, yet there is no proper diagnostics markers or treatment. One of the main reasons for sepsis-mediated mortality is lack of functioning immune system patients. We have been able to elucidate the molecular mechanism of sepsis-mediated immune cell death and through this project, we aim to develop diagnostics and therapy for treating sepsis-mediated immune suppression.
Examining The Contribution Of Mutant DNMT3a In The Development And Sustained Growth Of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$820,880.00
Summary
Experimental models of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) have been valuable tools for studying this cancer. Recent analysis of human cancer genomes identified novel mutated gene products implicated in AML. To study the involvement of these genes in the development and sustained growth of AML, we will generate new experimental models that express the mutated forms of these newly described genes. These studies will assist in the development of improved treatments for patients with AML.
Cellular And Molecular Characterization Of Erythroid Enucleation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$671,950.00
Summary
A major challenge for transfusion medicine is the constant difficulties in obtaining enough supply of specific red blood cell (RBC) subtypes. In this proposal, we will identify the key steps of enucleation (extrusion of nucleus), a rate limiting process for the in vitro production of RBCs. A better understanding of this process will lead to improved strategies for the efficient and rapid production of self-generated RBCs for individual patient transfusion.
Understanding How Defects In Chromosome Structure Can Cause Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$546,557.00
Summary
The correct folding of DNA is critical to a cell's survival. This is orchestrated by a special class of proteins called the condensins. Defects in condensin lead to aberrant chromosome folding and disease. We aim to understand how condensin folds chromosomes and why mutations in condensin are increasingly associated with disease.
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.
Identification of Biological pathways regulated by circular RNAs. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a, recently discovered molecule. circRNAs are highly abundant and expressed in a tissue and disease specific manner. Yet, currently the understanding of how circRNAs regulate biological processes is very poor. This project aims to use pooled shRNA libraries to screen a large panel of cell lines and systematically identify cellular activities that are regulated by circRNAs. The expected outcome of this ....Identification of Biological pathways regulated by circular RNAs. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a, recently discovered molecule. circRNAs are highly abundant and expressed in a tissue and disease specific manner. Yet, currently the understanding of how circRNAs regulate biological processes is very poor. This project aims to use pooled shRNA libraries to screen a large panel of cell lines and systematically identify cellular activities that are regulated by circRNAs. The expected outcome of this study will be a catalogue of functionally active circRNAs. Over the past decades, the wealth of knowledge on the function of linear mRNAs has had a significant impact on medicine and agriculture. Similarly understanding how circRNAs regulate cellular activities may have an analogous impact on humans.Read moreRead less
HEN1 is a regulator of piRNA metabolism, transcriptional regulation and mammalian male fertility. This project is to define the biochemistry of a previously uncharacterized protein in male fertility using a unique mouse model and innovative DNA and protein technologies. This project will define a novel, and essential, pathway for male fertility and may ultimately have relevance to the maintenance of health or improving fertility.
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.