Defective Cell Migration As A Mechanism Of Dysregulated Asthmatic Airway Repair
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$616,712.00
Summary
Injury of the airway epithelium (cells lining the airways) is normally repaired by a process involving the deposition of specific proteins by the airway epithelial cells, promoting them to attach and migrate to cover the injury. These cells appear to be abnormal in asthmatics, in that they fail to repair. By studying specimens from healthy, allergic and asthmatic children we will determine the factors that influence the ability of these cells to repond to an injury in a normal manner specificall ....Injury of the airway epithelium (cells lining the airways) is normally repaired by a process involving the deposition of specific proteins by the airway epithelial cells, promoting them to attach and migrate to cover the injury. These cells appear to be abnormal in asthmatics, in that they fail to repair. By studying specimens from healthy, allergic and asthmatic children we will determine the factors that influence the ability of these cells to repond to an injury in a normal manner specifically through their ability to migrate.Read moreRead less
THE ROLE OF THE TETRASPANINS CD37 AND CD82 IN LEUKOCYTE MIGRATION
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$370,902.00
Summary
White blood cells must be able to migrate to fight infection. For instance, immune responses are started by the migration of one type of white blood cells to the lymph node. Also, once activated white blood cells migrate out of the circulation to the site of infection where they can kill bacteria and viruses. This grant studies 2 proteins that control white blood cell migration. These proteins may one day be targets for drugs that either promote immunity or reduce inflammation.
Role Of Integrin Signalling In Breast And Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$411,931.00
Summary
Integrins have an essential role in the control of mammary gland development and cell function. During tumour progression, integrins enable cancer cells to detach, proliferate, migrate and survive during metastasis. To test whether integrins regulate breast and prostate tumour progression, mice with mammary or prostate specific integrin deletion will be crossed with mice engineered to develop cancer. The effects of integrin loss on tumour growth and metastasis will be determined.
Novel 'Mechano-medicine' Combats Deadly Sticky Blood Clots In Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$760,684.00
Summary
This project aims to elucidate a novel biomechanical mechanism that associates with mechanical force generated by dynamic blood flow and leads to enhanced blood clotting in diabetes. The outcome may likely explain the reduced efficacy of current anti-clotting drugs (i.e. Aspirin, Plavix® or Brilinta®) in individuals with diabetes, which does not take the 'force effect' into account. Moreover, it will provide an innovative therapeutic strategy to reduce the sticky blood clots of diabetes.
The Effect Of Titanium Surface Modification On The Immuno-regulation Of Osseointegration.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$308,713.00
Summary
Titanium implants are an established treatment modality in both dentistry and orthopaedics. This project will determine how implant surface modification can modulate the inflammatory response and subsequent differentiation of stem cells involved in the process of integrating the implant with bone i.e. osseointegration. The identification of the molecular mechanisms involved will thus provide leads for novel ways to further to enhance the osseointegration process and improve clinical outcomes.
Blood clotting is the underlying cause of heart attacks and strokes. We have discovered that the protein, ERp5, is essential for normal blood clotting. Our preliminary findings indicate that ERp5 controls the function of blood platelets in clotting. Our overall aim is to elucidate how ERp5 regulates platelet function. It is crucial that we understand how ERp5 functions in blood clotting if we are to effectively target it in disease.
Functional And Molecular Profiling Of Platelet Hyperactivity In Diabetes - Uncovering Dysregulated And Targetable Pathways For Potential Treatments
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
The major cause of death in diabetes is cardiovascular disease. Diabetic patients are more likely to have hardening of their arteries, and an increased propensity to form pathological blood clots. I propose to characterise platelet “hyperactivity” in diabetes both at a functional and molecular level. This unique approach aims to identify the underlying mechanism of platelet hyperactivity which may be targeted in future treatments.