Characterising The Function Of Niche-derived Neuregulin 1 In Colorectal Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$994,246.00
Summary
Colorectal cancer affects thousands of Australians each year. A specialised cell population, named cancer stem cells, continuously produces new tumour cells. Defining mechanisms controlling the behaviour of these unique cells is critical to develop new drugs. We have identified that Neuregulin-1 is a key factor that enhances the action of cancer stem cells. We aim to study how colorectal cancer is mediated and whether targeting Neuregulin-1 is a promising therapeutic option.
Molecular Regulators Of Adaptive Immunity To Overwhelming Viral Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$786,898.00
Summary
Diseases caused by overwhelming viral infections, such as COVID-19, are associated with widespread impairments in immunity and constitute a major burden to human health. We have discovered that the molecule c-Myb is essential for the maintenance of immunity during chronic infection. In order to lay the foundations for novel and innovative anti-viral therapies, this project will dissect the molecular pathways regulated by c-Myb that maintain immunity during severe or chronic infection.
Are Oligodendrocytes The Missing Link In Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Pathogenesis?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,054,405.00
Summary
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a debilitating and progressive neurodegenerative disease. Recent research suggests important cells of the central nervous system called glia play a role in disease onset and progression. We are interested in a type of glia called oligodendrocytes; they are crucial for supporting the survival of the cells that die in ALS. Only through understanding the underlying biology of ALS can we aim to identify effective therapies that will benefit patients.
Bring Out Your Dead - How Does Defective Apoptotic Cell Clearance By Tingible Body Macrophages Lead To The Activation Of Self-reactive B Cells In SLE?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$721,597.00
Summary
Good housekeeping is critical to the day-to-day running of the immune system. In the case of the germinal centre, a key structure where plasma cells are generated, the ability to clear away dead and dying cells is critical because failure to do so can lead to the spillover of cellular waste and debris into the follicle where they can activate harmful B cells to make autoantibodies and cause disease. Understanding how this happens can lead to new ways to target and treat autoimmune diseases.
Defining A New Player In Atherosclerosis: The Role Of Adventitial Haemangioblasts As An Outside-in Driver Of Plaque Growth And Stability.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$728,005.00
Summary
As the underlying cause of heart attack, atherosclerosis is a leading cause of death worldwide. New approaches to treatment are desperately needed and this requires a better understanding of how atherosclerotic plaques form in arteries. This project studies a new population of stem cells that we have discovered in the outer layer of arteries, to determine how they cause plaques to form, so that we can develop new therapies that target these stem cells to more effectively treat atherosclerosis.
We are studying human amnion epithelial cells (AECs) as a new therapy for stroke. Here if we find the protective effects of AECs are unaffected by a 'clot-buster' drug,we will broaden our planned Phase II trial of AECs to include patients that have received clot lysis therapy. Further, as we suspect that AECs exert their effects via release of nanoparticles called 'exosomes', we will test whether exosomes given intravenously or intranasally are similarly protective.
Using Immunological Principles To Inform Malaria Vaccine Design
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$577,763.00
Summary
Malaria kills ~420,000 people each year worldwide. While a vaccine does exist, efficacy is poor and protection wanes rapidly. We have made breakthroughs in understanding the immune response to malaria that allow us to design a new generation of malaria vaccines. Based on this we aim to generate a vaccine that induces sustained levels of high-quality antibodies targeting multiple targets on the parasite and so can provide sustained long-term protection.
Identifying The Correlates Of Protective Immunity Against Invasive Staphylococcus Aureus Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$954,131.00
Summary
The bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) remains a major cause of human infections, and the rise of highly pathogenic, antibiotic-resistant strains is making treatment increasingly difficult. In this project we will examine the immune response to S.aureus to determine which parts of the immune system are involved in responding to the bacteria. This knowledge will lay the foundation for which new innovative S. aureus vaccines will ultimately emerge.
Molecular Dissection Of Allergen Sensitisation And Immunotherapy: Direct Application To Precision Medicine In Treatment Of Asthma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,270,097.00
Summary
Asthma is a major global health burden with huge socioeconomic impact. Most asthmatic patients are allergic. Allergen immunotherapy is the only treatment to alter the natural disease course, but does not work in many treated patients, and robust laboratory biomarkers for patient selection and immune monitoring of treatment success are lacking. Therefore, allergen immunotherapy is not offered to most patients who then rely on medications indefinitely. This research will address these needs.
Gamma Delta T Cells: The Fourth Player In CD8 T Cell Immunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,020,777.00
Summary
The immune systems of animals have evolved complex but effective mechanisms to protect against infection with intracellular pathogens. This requires that T cells can distinguish uninfected cells from those harbouring pathogens. This is achieved via recognition of pathogen-derived molecules, which activate the immune system to recognise and fight the pathogen. We have identified a crucial role for a gamma delta T cells in this process, making them essential sentinels of intracellular infection.