Ligand Interactions Of The MC1R Receptor And Cellular Consequences For Melanocyte Responses To UV-damage
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$578,268.00
Summary
Although it is evident that fair skin types are more susceptible to sun damage, the relationship between sun exposure, skin colour and skin cancer formation is less clear. The genes and processes that determine an individual's skin phototype and the mechanisms involved in the tanning response after UV-exposure of the skin are the focus of this investigation. A major regulator of the response to UV radiation in the skin is the melanocortin-1 receptor. It is essential to understand the complex int ....Although it is evident that fair skin types are more susceptible to sun damage, the relationship between sun exposure, skin colour and skin cancer formation is less clear. The genes and processes that determine an individual's skin phototype and the mechanisms involved in the tanning response after UV-exposure of the skin are the focus of this investigation. A major regulator of the response to UV radiation in the skin is the melanocortin-1 receptor. It is essential to understand the complex interactions of this receptor that induce tanning.Read moreRead less
Characterisation Of A Novel Oncogene In Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,118,325.00
Summary
Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women in Australia. Cancer cells are able to spread to other sites in the body by a process known as metastasis which is the leading cause of breast cancer death. We have identified a gene which controls breast cancer metastasis and thereby may affect disease outcome. This grant aims to elucidate the mechanisms by which this gene regulates breast cancer metastasis.
Cell survival and death are controlled by two processes known as apoptosis and autophagy. Apoptosis eliminates damaged cells whereas autophagy gets rid of faulty components in the cell. The Bcl-2 proteins regulate both processes. It is well established that dysfunctional Bcl-2 regulation leads to cancer. In this project, we aim to investigate if deregulated Bcl-2 control of autophagy also has a key role in cancer progression and to obtain a molecular picture of how this control is exerted.