The Transcriptional Regulation Of Lymphocyte And Dendritic Cell Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$596,051.00
Summary
The distinct cell types of the blood, such as red and white blood cells, are produced in the bone marrow from a rare stem cell. An important characteristic of the stem cell is its ability to balance the need to proliferate and produce the distinct cell types (termed differentiation) and the need to maintain an adequate number of stem cells in their primitive state (termed self-renewal). The outcome of this balance is the production, throughout life, of an astounding number of cells that are requ ....The distinct cell types of the blood, such as red and white blood cells, are produced in the bone marrow from a rare stem cell. An important characteristic of the stem cell is its ability to balance the need to proliferate and produce the distinct cell types (termed differentiation) and the need to maintain an adequate number of stem cells in their primitive state (termed self-renewal). The outcome of this balance is the production, throughout life, of an astounding number of cells that are required to replace those lost each day. This feat is controlled by a handful of important master-regulatory genes that act in a hierarchy to promote the differentiation process. This tightly controlled and multi-step regulation is essential, as failure to coordinate blood cell production is the underlying cause of many blood cell cancers such as leukaemia as well as immune deficiency and anaemia. This research aims to understand how these master-regulators function in isolation and together in producing the white blood cells that are required for our immune response to microbes, vaccination and to prevent cancer.Read moreRead less
Neurocircuitry Of A Novel Gastrointestinal-circulatory Reflex
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$515,625.00
Summary
The gastrointestinal tract receives about one third of the blood pumped around the body by the heart. This implies that the gut circulation plays a major role in blood pressure control. Gut blood flow changes according to the demands imposed by altered behavioural activity. Engagement in physical exercise results in increased blood flow to the working muscles of the limbs and diversion away from the gut. Alternatively, food consumption promotes an increase in blood flow to the gut to aid digesti ....The gastrointestinal tract receives about one third of the blood pumped around the body by the heart. This implies that the gut circulation plays a major role in blood pressure control. Gut blood flow changes according to the demands imposed by altered behavioural activity. Engagement in physical exercise results in increased blood flow to the working muscles of the limbs and diversion away from the gut. Alternatively, food consumption promotes an increase in blood flow to the gut to aid digestion. While this is a normal bodily process, there are also adverse implications of the re-distribution of blood flow: in the elderly compensation for these changes is often impaired and can result in low blood pressure and fainting. In addition, the incidence of angina-related heart pain is greater after food consumption and this may be associated with re-distribution of blood flow to the gut. Cholecystokinin (CCK), a hormone which is released from special cells that line the intestine, plays a role in the control of blood flow to the gut. We have developed the hypothesis that CCK acts on nerves which send a signal to the brain which, in turn, acting through other nerves, produces an increase in the flow of blood to the gut. This project is designed to study the nerve pathways in the brain which control this novel mechanism. We will record the activity of specific brain cells and nerves which are involved in the control of the blood supply to the gut. We will also examine which chemicals the brain cells and nerves use for communication with each other and so build up a model of the brain areas which are involved in gut blood flow control. This project will shed new light on the mechanisms of gut blood flow control and identify the associated brain pathways. The information will be of importance in the treatment of diseases of the circulation and food consumption-related cardiovascular changes in the elderly and obese as well as in sufferers of angina.Read moreRead less
The Role Of CD30 Overexpression In CD30-positive Non-Hodgkins Lymphomas
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$457,242.00
Summary
The CD30 molecule sits on the surface of normal blood cells, but in a type of cancer called Lymphoma, CD30 concentration is high. The level of expression of CD30 may determine if the cancer cell is killed by the normal defense mechanisms or is able to grow uncontrollably. We are studying the control elements of the CD30 gene to understand how control is lost when the cell becomes cancerous. This knowledge may lead to therapeutic strategies to control lymphoma.
A Temporal Profile Of Signaling Via Phosphorylation During Myocardial Ischemia - Reperfusion Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$369,641.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major cause of death in Australians and sequelae post-myocardial ischemia - reperfusion (I-R) are responsible for the greatest proportion of CVD-related mortality. Despite this burden, there is little known of the molecular events that mediate I-R. This project will utilize cutting-edge technology to elucidate the molecular signaling events that lead to I-R injury, as well as determine the basis for protection afforded by clinical pre- and post-conditioning.