This project will examine Activins, as contributing factors to the loss of lean and fat mass that is commonly observed in patients with advanced cancer, and evaluate the therapeutic prospects of administering novel engineered Activin inhibitors, to prevent Activin-induced disease.
Novel GPCR Transactivation Of Serine Kinases In Vascular Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$386,565.00
Summary
All of biology and disease is based on cells receiving signals from hormones and growth factors via cell surface receptors. Cells integrate these signals to give a response which may be cell growth or the secretion of further hormones and growth factors. Signals from receptors can intersect to modify the response. This project will explore a new interaction we have discovered where a hormone activates its receptor to cause the activation of a growth factor receptor potentially providing new drug ....All of biology and disease is based on cells receiving signals from hormones and growth factors via cell surface receptors. Cells integrate these signals to give a response which may be cell growth or the secretion of further hormones and growth factors. Signals from receptors can intersect to modify the response. This project will explore a new interaction we have discovered where a hormone activates its receptor to cause the activation of a growth factor receptor potentially providing new drug targets in cardiovascular disease.Read moreRead less
Investigating Follistatin-based Interventions For Long Term-protection Against Frailty Associated With Chronic Illness And Aging
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$987,169.00
Summary
Effective therapies are urgently needed to combat frailty arising from muscle wasting associated with chronic illness and aging. The proposed studies will investigate the prospects of developing novel short-term interventions that can confer long-term benefits for preventing and treating muscle wasting associated with chronic illness and advanced aging.
Characterization Of SgK269, A Master Regulator Of Growth Factor Receptor Signalling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$623,751.00
Summary
Perturbed signaling within a cell can cause multiple diseases, including cancer. SgK269 is a scaffold protein involved in signaling and implicated in breast, colon and pancreatic cancer. By determining the signaling mechanism and function of the SgK269 scaffold, this work will provide novel and important insights into a key regulator of cell signaling, and reveal potential strategies for therapeutic targeting of the SgK269 scaffold that could be utilized in cancer treatment.
New Mediators Of GPCR-growth Factor Receptor Transactivation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$607,842.00
Summary
Hormones bind to receptors on the surface of cells. Receptors can modify each other’s function and this “cross-talk” is important for the receptors for a peptide hormone (termed angiotensin) and a growth factor receptor (EGFR), which are major regulators of the cardiovascular system. We have identified a number of mediators of the angiotensin-EGFR crosstalk and this current grant aims to use molecular and cellular and in vivo approaches to examine the molecular basis of their actions.
Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 2c And Human Testicular Dysgenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$611,197.00
Summary
Disorders of sex development (DSD) account for 7.5% of all birth defects. DSDs that affect testis development lead to testicular tumours, ambiguous genitalia, male-to-female sex reversal, and infertility. We have identified a novel protein (FGFR2) essential for testis development in mice and found the first FGFR2 mutations in DSD patients with testicular dysgenesis. Understanding the molecular action of FGFR2 will lead to improved diagnosis and management of DSD.
Mechanism Of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Transactivation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$578,268.00
Summary
This application examines the cellular events that control heart growth in response to angiotensin, a hormone linked to heart failure. We believe that the same cell processes are also involved in cancer cell growth and by understanding the mechanism by which angiotensin promotes growth, better therapies against human cardiovascular disease and its relationship to uncontrolled growth will evolve.
Interactions Between IL-15 And TGF-beta Signalling Pathways Reveal Novel Therapeutic Strategies To Boost Anti-cancer Immunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$444,425.00
Summary
This project will determine if new immune inhibitory checkpoints can be synergistically targeted with BRAFV600E inhibition to reactivate and allow NK cells to maximise their anti-tumour immune functions and prevent cancer spread. It is a completely novel approach that will allow for the more rational design of melanoma treatments that targets NK cells following surgery and local radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy.
SARA: Delineating Its Association With The Onset And Development Of Liver Fibrosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$865,972.00
Summary
Liver disease, a significant burden on society, affects many in the prime of their life. Scarring of the liver is a response to injury due to many factors including alcohol, viruses, obesity, and fatty-liver disease. We have identified a protein associated with liver injury. In this project we will perform a systematic analysis to understand the role of this protein in injury progression. Ultimately we intend to develop tools to prevent and treat liver injury.
Therapeutic Potential Of Transforming Growth Factor-beta Proteins For The Diagnosis And Treatment Of Female Infertility
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$942,961.00
Summary
We discovered and manufactured a growth factor produced uniquely by the egg. We named this growth factor cumulin. It is a powerful regulator of ovarian function and egg quality. This project will study the basic mechanisms of how cumulin works in the ovary. We will then develop an assay to measure it as a biomarker of human egg quality and quantity. New approaches in fertility preservation for cancer survivors will be developed using cumulin.