Phosphatase Regulators Mediate Long-term Changes In Presynaptic Terminals
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$984,163.00
Summary
The strength of communication between each nerve cell in the brain depends on how active that nerve cell has been. This enables the brain to be adaptable and is a way for the brain to set up circuits that underlie how we learn and remember. More or less release of chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) into nerve cell junctions changes the strength of nerve cell communication. We have discovered a new chemical signalling pathway controlling neurotransmitter release.
Cardiovascular Effects Of Enhanced Leptin Signalling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,200,972.00
Summary
Leptin treatment causes weight loss, but leptin also increases blood pressure. We wish to determine if increasing leptin signalling, by modifying signal transduction pathways within leptin sensitive cells in the brain, can reduce weight without increasing blood pressure.
Phosphoinositide 4-phosphatases In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$678,560.00
Summary
This project aims to understand the structure and function of an important group of signalling enzymes involved in the development of cancers such as melanoma.
During injury or infection, our body’s immune system protects us by launching inflammation. But uncontrolled inflammation drives common diseases such as cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer’s. This project will reveal how the body deactivates inflammasomes - protein complexes at the heart of inflammation and disease – so we can design better strategies for treating patients with inflammation-driven disease.
Obesity is caused by an energy imbalance, where energy intake from eating food exceeds energy expended by physical exertion and metabolism. This proposal will provide a fundamental advance in our understanding of how the brain communicates with fat to control energy expenditure and body weight.
Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among females which affects 1 in 8 women. Normal cells only divide when they receive a stimulus however cancer cells divide uncontrollably and are able to spread to other sites in the body, a process known as metastasis. We have identified a cancer suppressing gene which regulates cancer spread. This grant aims to characterise the mechanisms by which this gene controls cell movement and breast cancer spread.
Characterisation Of PI3-kinase-dependent Signalling Networks In Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$915,182.00
Summary
Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women in Australia. Cancer cells are able to spread to other sites in the body by a process known as metastasis which is the leading cause of breast cancer death. We have identified a gene which controls breast cancer growth and metastasis. This grant aims to elucidate the mechanisms by which this gene co-operates with another gene to regulate breast cancer growth and metastasis which thereby may affect disease outcome.
Protein Phosphatase 2A Methylation: Regulation And Functional Significance For Tauopathies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,713.00
Summary
Clinical studies have revealed that low blood levels of the vitamin folate are a risk factor for cognitive impairment, depression and dementia, which are prevalent in the elderly. Deregulation of the protein tau is a key event in Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis. This project will utilize cell culture and aged mouse models to determine how alterations in folate status and deregulation of protein phosphatase 2A affect the regulation of tau and other key brain processes that become altered in Alzh ....Clinical studies have revealed that low blood levels of the vitamin folate are a risk factor for cognitive impairment, depression and dementia, which are prevalent in the elderly. Deregulation of the protein tau is a key event in Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis. This project will utilize cell culture and aged mouse models to determine how alterations in folate status and deregulation of protein phosphatase 2A affect the regulation of tau and other key brain processes that become altered in Alzheimer’s disease.Read moreRead less
Trafficking Mechanisms Governing Receptor Availability For Signalling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$526,978.00
Summary
Receptors on the cell surface allow cells to respond to their environment. We have recently discovered a new pathway for controlling the amount of receptors displayed on the cell surface, errors within which will lead to defects in development and diseases like cancer. We are studying how this new pathway controls the balance between how much receptors are destroyed after being activated and how much are recycled back for re-use.
Hepatic Oxidative Stress, PTPs & STAT Signalling In Obesity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,086,547.00
Summary
Obesity is increasing at an alarming rate worldwide and is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Obesity is causally linked to the development of insulin resistance, a prelude to type 2 diabetes. In this proposal we will define a novel liver centric mechanism by which insulin resistance and oxidative stress may promote the development of morbid obesity, type 2 diabetes and liver disease.