Cell Therapy For Functional Reconstruction Of Damaged Brain Circuitry
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$401,361.00
Summary
Unlike many organs in the body, the brain has an extremely limited capacity to repair itself when damaged. A promising approach for repairing the damaged brain, as may occur through neurodegenerative disease or traumatic brain injury, is to replace the cells lost to the injury by transplanting new ones directly into the brain of the patient. This research proposal involves the use of stem cells to repair damage to the brain caused by Parkinson's disease, stroke or traumatic brain injury.
Transcriptional Regulation Of Hematopoietic Commitment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$289,985.00
Summary
Blood cell formation is a tightly regulated process and provides an important model for our understanding of blood homeostasis. Perturbations result in a number of disorders such as leukaemia. The application of stem cells to many diseases is being pursued; yet, to be successful knowledge of normal cellular behavior is crucial. I aim to improve our understanding of these processes and help to provide the framework for future studies aimed at more directly manipulating blood cell functions.
Interactions Between Haematopoietic, Bone, Vascular And Endocrine Systems Control Stem Cell Fate And Mobilization
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$380,558.00
Summary
Haemopoietic stem cells (HSC) normally reside in the bone marrow (BM) where they make blood and immune cells. We can force HSC to move from the BM into the blood, a process called mobilisation, used to collect large numbers of HSC for transplantation into cancer patients. My research involves identifying factors that control HSC fate within the BM (that is survival, growth, differentiation) and what happens during mobilisation to force them to leave with the aim of improving transplant success.
The Role Of Cell Cycle Control In Haemopoietic Stem Cell Fate Decisions.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$390,974.00
Summary
My research has focused on understanding how the process of cell division can result in different outcomes for adult blood stem cells. I am interested in determining the role of bone and blood vessels in the regulation of blood stem cells and in the development of blood diseases (myeloprolifertive disease). I will also determine the effects of changing the cell cycle with drugs to improve transplantation of blood stem cells.
Dissecting The Molecular Mechanisms During Reprogramming Of Different Somatic Cells Into Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells And The Plasticity Potential Of Their Intermediate Stages.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$234,965.00
Summary
I am a biochemist interested in the molecular mechanisms involved in gene expression and how these processes govern cell identity. I use a combination of mouse models, biochemical techniques and bioinformatics to study the _reprogramming� of adult cells into embryonic stem-like cells and how this technology can be used to generate different cell types for use in cellular replacement therapies and drug screening.
Manipulation Of Haematopoietic Stem Cell Niches To Improve Therapeutic Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$451,716.00
Summary
My aim is to understand how stem cells are naturally regulated by the body. My central hypothesis is that local environment (niche) factors largely govern stem cell behaviour. Identification and manipulation of these factors will offer a novel therapeutic opportunity to improve the clinical use of normal haematopoietic stem cells to improve transplantation success, as well as sensitise leukaemia cells to chemotherapy.