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Prevention Of Pancreatic Beta Cell Destruction In Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$621,458.00
Summary
Associate Professor Helen Thomas is a molecular and cell biologist with a particular interest in pancreatic islet biology, studying the mechanisms of pancreatic beta-cell destruction in diabetes. The aim of this work is to develop strategies to protect these cells. Such protection will improve our ability to preserve beta-cell mass in type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and after islet transplantation.
Antigen-presenting cells control immune responses. Different types of these cells do different jobs and affect different diseases. We wish to control these processes by determining how the cells live and die. In particular we are interested in controlling the local immune responses during rejection of islet transplantation, which can cure type 1 diabetes.
Pancreatic Islet Inflammation And Its Role In Diabetes And Islet Transplantation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$707,370.00
Summary
Diabetes is a major health epidemic & diabetic complications are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in our community. My studies have increased our understanding of how inflammation contributes to diabetes but also directly led to the discovery of novel therapies that are been trialed in patients with type 1 diabetes undergoing islet cell transplants. My studies have increased our knowledge of the factors that lead to type 1 diabetes and the development of new treatments.
Using Porcine Embryonic Stem Cells To Advance Xenotransplantation And Human Stem Cell Research To The Clinic.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Summary
We have developed a new method for isolating embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and have used this to isolate porcine ESCs. The aims of the present study are to use this breakthrough to advance xenotransplantation as well as human stem cell research
Research Fellowship: Immunoregulation And Immunity To Viral Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$763,845.00
Summary
Award of this fellowship will ensure the continuation of a highly productive research program that over the last 15 years has made numerous seminal contributions to understanding the immune responses generated during viral infection. This multidisciplinary, highly collaborative program seeks to use this knowledge to develop effective therapies, both cellular and gene therapy-based, to treat viral infections and their complications by harnessing the immune system.
The transplantation of healthy stem cells from a donor into a recipient with blood cancer (stem cell transplantation) is the most effective curative therapy for the majority of patients. Unfortunately this process results in unwanted, often fatal, side effects including infection, a rejection process known as graft-versus-host disease and in some patients, the leukaemia still recurs. This research will refine new treatments focused on overcoming these limitations and improving transplant outcome
Regulation Of Normal And Malignant Haematopoiesis By The Bone Marrow Environment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$621,458.00
Summary
This project will identify factors within the bone marrow that regulate blood and immune cell formation. These include oxygenation and novel proteins identified in the applicant’s laboratory. How these factors from the bone marrow influence the behaviour of normal blood forming cells (called haematopoietic stem cells), and the progression of leukaemia and the response of leukaemia to chemotherapy treatments will be investigated. New drugs that interfere with these new factors will be tested for ....This project will identify factors within the bone marrow that regulate blood and immune cell formation. These include oxygenation and novel proteins identified in the applicant’s laboratory. How these factors from the bone marrow influence the behaviour of normal blood forming cells (called haematopoietic stem cells), and the progression of leukaemia and the response of leukaemia to chemotherapy treatments will be investigated. New drugs that interfere with these new factors will be tested for their potential to treat leukaemia.Read moreRead less
Niche Regulation Of Normal And Malignant Stem Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$622,655.00
Summary
Hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) reside in the bone marrow (BM) and make all the cells of the blood system. We study molecules in the BM regulating normal HSC to helping them survive chemotherapy. This means cancer patients should suffer less side-effects from their therapy. Some of these molecule also help leukaemia stem cells (LSC) resist chemotherapy. Inhibitors may a) reduce patient mortality caused by chemotherapy and b) sensitise LSC to chemotherapy enabling long-term cure.