Identifying Novel Antimalarial Targets Using ENU Mutagenesis In The Mouse
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$760,170.00
Summary
Malaria is estimated to cause 1.2 million deaths per year. The malarial parasite has developed resistance to most drugs and new drugs are needed. We aim to mimic the protective red blood cell diseases common in human populations in malarial endemic areas by identifying host targets that are important in parasite growth.
Elucidating The Role Of MiR-196 In Formation Of The Axial Skeleton
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$520,087.00
Summary
Exquisite regulation of gene expression is a fundamental principle underlying growth and development of an embryo as well as homeostasis in the adult. Following the identification of hundreds of microRNAs within the genome which act to modulate gene expression, the challenge and the goal of these studies, is to identify individual microRNAs which contribute significantly to bone formation in the developing embryo.
I am a developmental biologist who identifies and characterises genes required for normal embryonic development in mouse. I translate this information into the genetic diagnosis and developmental understanding of congenital malformations in humans.
Molecular Regulation Of Pluripotency In The Mammalian Germline
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$611,935.00
Summary
Germ cells generate sperm in males or oocytes in females. In males, germ cell numbers are tightly controlled in the embryo, with too few germ cells causing infertility, and unrestrained germ cell numbers leading to testicular cancer. We have discovered a molecular mechanism that regulates germ cells in the embryo, and propose to study in mice how this regulation is accomplished and the consequences of defective regulation, in order to learn more about how infertility and testis cancer arise.
6% of Australian men are infertile. Of these cases 50% are thought to be genetic in origin. Within this project we will replicate high-confidence genetic variants associated with human male infertility in the mouse. Doing so will allow the assignment of definitive genotype-phenotype correlations and the formulation of high confidence advice for clinicians and patients. It will also provide a means to define the mechanism of action and the tools for future pro-fertility treatments.
Gene Mining For Novel Molecular Determinants Of The Skeleton
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$633,447.00
Summary
Musculoskeletal conditions affect over 6 million Australians and research has shown that genetic background strongly influences development of these disorders. This project will identify genes that have a role in controlling bone and joint architecture. Identification of these genes will assist in the development of treatments targeting bone disorders and allow screening for these genes to provide an opportunity for people to take preventative action to improve bone and joint health.
Cancers arise as a result of the impairment of critical cellular processes following the mutation of important regulatory genes. I am a molecular biologist and I study how the proteins of the Bcl-2 family regulate apoptosis, a process of cell death essential to maintain homeostasis in multicellular organisms, with the aim of designing drugs to kill cancer cells selectively. I am also interested in discovering new genes involved in the development of cancer using new genomics technology.
Genetic And Bioinformatic Analysis Of Complex Human Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$8,752,567.00
Summary
Some human diseases are common in families; examples include prostate cancer, blood cancers, epilepsy and diabetes. Therefore, close relatives of individuals with a disease have an increased risk of being affected by this disease, implying a genetic basis. Finding the cause of these diseases is difficult, we will be developing novel approaches to the identification of genes responsible for these diseases. This is the first step towards the development of treatments for affected individuals.