This study aims to elucidate central pathways which can be manipulated to drive the storage of excess energy away from fat and instead directing it into the production of bone mass. Having identified leptin-responsive NPY neurons as important in the control of energy partitioning, we will focus on manipulating these neurons in the hypothalamus using innovative technology to alter body composition. This research has the potential to result in novel treatments for obesity and osteoporosis.
Single-cell Optical Window Imaging In CDK1-FRET Biosensor Mice To Assess Tissue Stiffness And Optimise Delivery And Therapeutic Response To Gemcitabine/Abraxane In Pancreatic Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$676,979.00
Summary
Inefficient drug response in solid tumour tissue is commonly a limiting factor in the clinical effectiveness of cancer therapies. Using cutting-edge imaging technology and 3D models that mimic the disease, we have mapped areas of poor drug response within distinct regions of tumours. Here, we pinpoint and specifically target key factors limiting efficient drug targeting in order to improve the encouraging anti-cancer profile of the new drug combination Gemcitabine/Abraxane in pancreatic cancer.
Biosensor Imaging In Preclinical Pancreatic Cancer Targeting: Taking Cancer Targeting To New Dimensions.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$640,210.00
Summary
Using cutting-edge imaging technology and 3D models that mimic cancer, we can map areas of poor drug response within distinct 'stages' or regions of tumours. Here, we pinpoint and specifically target key factors limiting efficient drug response in order to improve the encouraging anti-cancer profile of new or current drugs in pancreatic cancer.
Therapeutic Targeting Of Cell Cycle Checkpoint Aberrations In Pancreatic Cancer: Personalised Medicine In Action
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$634,354.00
Summary
Less than 5% of people with pancreatic cancer (PC) survive 5 years, and the odds of patients beating this disease have remained unchanged for 50 years. Consequently, there is an urgent need to develop novel treatment approaches for this highly aggressive cancer. Our study aims to define novel therapeutic strategies for PC utilising specific anti-proliferative therapies and a personalised “companion biomarker” directed strategy.
The biology and epidemiology of the grapevine canker fungi, Botryosphaeria sp. Decline and dieback of grapevines is becoming an increasing problem for the viticulture industry in NSW. Recently, species of the fungus Botryosphaeria, were isolated from grapevines exhibiting these symptoms. In order to understand the biology and epidemiology of the causal organisms, we aim to; (i) determine species of Botryosphaeria present in NSW vineyards; (ii) determine which species are pathogenic on grapevines ....The biology and epidemiology of the grapevine canker fungi, Botryosphaeria sp. Decline and dieback of grapevines is becoming an increasing problem for the viticulture industry in NSW. Recently, species of the fungus Botryosphaeria, were isolated from grapevines exhibiting these symptoms. In order to understand the biology and epidemiology of the causal organisms, we aim to; (i) determine species of Botryosphaeria present in NSW vineyards; (ii) determine which species are pathogenic on grapevines; (iii) characterise the genetic diversity of strains and; (iv) screen fungicides for the control of these fungi. Information on the species, their biology and pathogenicity on grapevines, will enable the development of appropriate management strategies for its control and may lead to the development of molecular tools to identify species of Botryosphaeria.Read moreRead less
Methods to infer dense genomic information from sparsely genotyped populations. Prediction of phenotype based on DNA polymorphisms or sequence has important applications such as prediction of disease risk in human medicine and prediction of genetic value in plant or animal breeding. This project will enhance precision and lower the cost of association studies leading to substantial increase in accuracy of such predictions. This will allow more effective genetic improvement, particularly of diff ....Methods to infer dense genomic information from sparsely genotyped populations. Prediction of phenotype based on DNA polymorphisms or sequence has important applications such as prediction of disease risk in human medicine and prediction of genetic value in plant or animal breeding. This project will enhance precision and lower the cost of association studies leading to substantial increase in accuracy of such predictions. This will allow more effective genetic improvement, particularly of difficult but important traits such as disease resistance, reduced green-house gas emissions and product quality. The same methods can be extended to improve genetic improvement in plants and better prediction of human disease risk. Read moreRead less
Sexual antagonism and the consequences of sex-specific selection. Males and females arise from essentially the same genome yet are selected in vastly different ways. This exposes gene pools to alternate episodes of feminising- and masculinising-selection, thereby promoting Sexually Antagonistic (SA) evolution. Sex chromosomes are predicted to play an important role in SA evolution because sex-linkage allows for gender-specific gene expression, but data on the role of sex-linked genes are limited ....Sexual antagonism and the consequences of sex-specific selection. Males and females arise from essentially the same genome yet are selected in vastly different ways. This exposes gene pools to alternate episodes of feminising- and masculinising-selection, thereby promoting Sexually Antagonistic (SA) evolution. Sex chromosomes are predicted to play an important role in SA evolution because sex-linkage allows for gender-specific gene expression, but data on the role of sex-linked genes are limited to Drosophila, a male heterogametic (XY) model. This project will determine the consequences of SA selection in the butterfly Eurema hecabe (a female ZW heterogamete) using experimental evolution and the feminising endosymbiont Wolbachia to force male genomes through bouts of feminising selection.Read moreRead less
Refining the timescale of human evolution and dispersal using ancient DNA. Understanding the timescale of human evolution and migration is a key goal of genetic analysis. It provides the foundation for studying our evolutionary and demographic history, our relationships to other hominids and our impact on the natural world. This project aims to use ancient DNA data to improve estimates of our evolutionary timescale.