High-throughput genetic assays are commonly used to study the molecular basis of disease and such technology requires sophisticated data analysis methods that account for significant biological and experimental complexity. Specialized methods will be developed in free public software that will greatly benefit future genetic profiling studies.
Detection Of Cardiac Allograft Rejection By Peripheral Blood Gene Expression: A Novel Concept Of Personalized Approach To Transplantation.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$292,705.00
Summary
Heart biopsy is required to detect rejection after heart transplantation. The cost of each biopsy is around $7,000 and at least 10 heart biopsies needed in the first post-transplant year alone. The biopsy is difficult for the patients and significant cost for the Australian healthcare system. Thus, it would be beneficial to identify rejection using a simple blood test. Such tool would help to reduce or eliminate the need for expensive heart biopsy and would reduce the cost by about 10 times.
Characterisation Of Two Novel Markers Of Osteosarcoma Metastasis As Potential Therapeutic Targets
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$624,500.00
Summary
Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common bone tumour in children and adolescents. In spite of aggressive chemotherapy, OS tumours that metastasise to the lungs result in dismal long-term survivals of only 10-20%. For these patients, new treatment options are desperately needed. In this proposal we show compelling data identifying two new markers of OS metastasis. This research aims to validate the suitability of these novel markers as therapeutic targets to prevent OS metastasis.
Extending Life After Lung Transplantation – Defining The Structural And Immunological Drivers Of Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$739,190.00
Summary
Lung Transplantation (LTx) saves life. However, chronic rejection limits survival after LTx compared to other solid organ transplants. Chronic rejection develops when the LTx recipient produces antibodies against the donor lung. With a team of global leaders in the field we will dissect the antibody response to LTx. By better understanding the immune drivers of antibody-mediated rejection, we aim to reduce the incidence of chronic rejection thereby improving survival after LTx.
A Comprehensive Genomic Analysis Of Oesophageal Adenocarcinoma: Understanding The Genetic Aetiology Of OAC Towards Biomarkers Of Progression, Prognosis And Targeted Treatment.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$987,906.00
Summary
Oesophageal cancer (OAC) continues to have poor survival despite surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Selecting patients for the most appropriate therapies and improving survival remain unmet research needs. We propose to undertake a detailed genetic study of OAC, including “next generation” sequencing, in order to catalogue the genetic changes in the disease. This information forms an essential basis for identifying genetic signatures of OAC progression, prognosis and treatment response.
Investigation Into Host Susceptibility And Immune Responses In Young Children With Acute Wheezing Due To Human Rhinovirus Group C Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$682,711.00
Summary
We recently made the surprising discovery that a new viral group, human rhinovirus group C (HRV-C), causes the majority of acute asthma in children. We also found that it causes half of the acute wheezing attacks in younger children, and is the only respiratory virus associated with allergy. So, HRV-C may be the key to the relationship between allergy and asthma. The planned project will focus on whether young children who wheeze with HRV-C have related defects in their immune system.
Cyclin E1 As A Therapeutic Target In Women With High-grade Serous Cancer And Primary Treatment Failure
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$644,170.00
Summary
Ovarian cancer is the 5th most common cancer in women and the most lethal gynaecologic malignancy. We found tumours with extra copies of the CyclinE1 gene (CCNE1) are less likely to respond to standard treatment, and show reliance on its activity. Therefore, targeting CCNE1 may be a novel treatment strategy for these cancers. We will perform preclinical studies with therapeutic inhibitors towards the CCNE1 pathway and further explore the underlying biology of tumours with CCNE1 amplification.
Computational And Statistical Methods For The Analysis Of RNA-Seq Data
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$406,545.00
Summary
New sequencing technologies provide medical researchers with ultra high-resolution tools for measuring gene activity in healthy and diseased cells. These instruments generate unprecedented volumes of data that requires careful analysis to maximize the biological insight learned from each experiment. Our research will develop new tools for analyzing, interpreting and making medical discoveries from this rapidly emerging technology, for the benefit of Australian biomedical researchers.
Role In Disease Of A Novel Epigenetic Regulator Associated With The Hypervirulent Neisseria Meningitidis Clonal Complex 41/44
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$403,249.00
Summary
Neisseria meningitis is a major cause of meningococcal septicaemia and meningitis worldwide. We have identified a phase variable DNA methyltransferase present in disease isolates, some of which have caused meningococcal epidemics. This methyltransferase is involved in the regulation of proteins involved in infection and disease processes. We will investigate whether this regulation increases the ability of the bacteria to adapt to changing host environments and cause disease.
Regulation Of Breast Cancer Metastasis By MiR-193b And MiR-342-3p
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$581,537.00
Summary
When breast cancer spreads to other organs, it results in high morbidity and mortality. MicroRNAs are a class of genes that control the expression of other genes, some of which are involved in the spread of cancer. In this project we will examine the function of two microRNA species that we have found to be associated with breast cancer spread. The anticipated outcome is a better knowledge of the genes that control cancer spread and the identification of new molecular targets for therapy.