Examining novel cell signalling in the regulation of platelet structure and function. Pharmaceutical inhibition of platelet function is the primary therapy for prevention of arterial thrombosis – the most common cause of death and disability in Australia. However, current therapies have limited efficacy. Defining platelet activation mechanisms in order to rationalise more effective antithrombotic approaches is the major focus of this research. This project describes the first studies to examine ....Examining novel cell signalling in the regulation of platelet structure and function. Pharmaceutical inhibition of platelet function is the primary therapy for prevention of arterial thrombosis – the most common cause of death and disability in Australia. However, current therapies have limited efficacy. Defining platelet activation mechanisms in order to rationalise more effective antithrombotic approaches is the major focus of this research. This project describes the first studies to examine the importance of a family of intracellular signalling enzymes, the Class II phosphoinositide 3-kinases, in platelet function. These studies will define the contribution of these enzymes to platelet production and function and will establish whether their inhibition is an attractive strategy for the prevention of arterial thrombosis.Read moreRead less
Studying precancerous stem cells that cause T cell leukaemia. Recent research has identified abnormal stem cells that are the cause of T cell leukaemia. They are also resistant to therapeutics suggesting that they could be a cause of relapse. The aim of this project is to determine the abnormal pathways that cause these cells to become immortal and to determine new therapeutic strategies to eliminate them.
Investigating the actions of anti-inflammatory pathways in chronic lung disease. There is an urgent need to develop better drugs for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) as patients become resistant to currently used anti-inflammatory drugs with disease progression. This research will uncover fundamental biology into an important class of anti-inflammatory receptor termed ALX/FPR2. This receptor normally coordinates the clearance of infection and injured tissue and subsequently switches ....Investigating the actions of anti-inflammatory pathways in chronic lung disease. There is an urgent need to develop better drugs for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) as patients become resistant to currently used anti-inflammatory drugs with disease progression. This research will uncover fundamental biology into an important class of anti-inflammatory receptor termed ALX/FPR2. This receptor normally coordinates the clearance of infection and injured tissue and subsequently switches off inflammation. Essential knowledge into why this receptor pathway fails to switch off inflammation will be determined. Furthermore, the development of targeting strategies to this receptor represents an innovative approach to blocking damaging and chronic airway inflammation.Read moreRead less
Assessing a model of the physiological changes at arousal from sleep. Arousals from sleep are common in the elderly and have adverse consequences. This project will investigate a model of the changes in bodily processes (muscle, brain and cardiovascular activation) that occur when humans awaken from sleep.
Defining targets and generating tools/therapeutic agents for prevention, diagnosis and therapy of atherothrombosis. Atherosclerosis and its complications such as myocardial infarction and stroke are a major cause of death and disability in Australia and worldwide. The proposed research program investigates new therapeutic targets and concepts (e.g. targeting of stem cells) to treat atherosclerosis and aims to develop new therapeutic agents using modern biotechnological methods. The project furth ....Defining targets and generating tools/therapeutic agents for prevention, diagnosis and therapy of atherothrombosis. Atherosclerosis and its complications such as myocardial infarction and stroke are a major cause of death and disability in Australia and worldwide. The proposed research program investigates new therapeutic targets and concepts (e.g. targeting of stem cells) to treat atherosclerosis and aims to develop new therapeutic agents using modern biotechnological methods. The project further aims to develop nanoparticle-based diagnostic tools to identify and preventatively treat atherosclerotic plaques that are prone to cause myocardial infarction. The expected outcome will provide direct benefit to patients and create new economic opportunities in Australian bio-/nanotechnology.Read moreRead less
Targeting genes elevated in the athlete's heart to improve function of the failing heart. Cardiovascular disease affects about 3.7 million Australians and heart failure ranks as one of the major killers, representing a huge burden on our health care system and economy. This situation is likely to get worse with an increasing ageing population. Current therapeutics for heart failure patients largely delay disease progression but generally fail in significantly improving heart function and quality ....Targeting genes elevated in the athlete's heart to improve function of the failing heart. Cardiovascular disease affects about 3.7 million Australians and heart failure ranks as one of the major killers, representing a huge burden on our health care system and economy. This situation is likely to get worse with an increasing ageing population. Current therapeutics for heart failure patients largely delay disease progression but generally fail in significantly improving heart function and quality of life. The proposal has focused on targeting the protective effects of 'good' heart growth by identifying genes elevated in the heart in response to exercise. Targeting genes elevated in the athlete's heart to improve function of the failing heart represents a new strategy for the treatment of heart failure.Read moreRead less
Genetic networks controlling lymphocyte differentiation. White blood cells are produced in the bone marrow from a rare stem cell. This research aims to understand how a handful of master-regulator genes act in the stem cells to produce the white blood cells that are required for our immune response to microbes, vaccination and to prevent cancer.