Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE210100011
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$900,000.00
Summary
Integrated Multimodal System for Multiplexed Imaging of Signal Transduction. This project will introduce a unique microscopy platform and associated technologies into the Australian research environment that will enable researchers to redefine our understanding of molecular signal transduction. The instrumentation will enable the multidimensional imaging of live cells with unprecendented speed and sensitivity. The featured imaging modalities will enable the integration of distinct biological, ....Integrated Multimodal System for Multiplexed Imaging of Signal Transduction. This project will introduce a unique microscopy platform and associated technologies into the Australian research environment that will enable researchers to redefine our understanding of molecular signal transduction. The instrumentation will enable the multidimensional imaging of live cells with unprecendented speed and sensitivity. The featured imaging modalities will enable the integration of distinct biological, biochemical and chemical probes with a focus on minimizing phototoxicity. Expected outcomes include new fundamental knowledge on molecular signal transduction and cell heterogeneity; development of novel probes and methodologies and the development of new and existing interdisciplinary research collaborations. Read moreRead less
Apoptosis And Stem Cells In Cancer Development And Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$22,852,198.00
Summary
To improve cancer therapy, we are studying two cancer hallmarks: enhanced cell survival and stem cell-like behaviour. As we discovered, cell death is often blocked in cancer cells. Hence, we are attempting to develop drugs that flip the natural ‘cell death switch’. Stem cells are rare cells that generate entire tissues, as we showed for the breast. Certain cancers may be driven by ‘rogue’ stem cells. If so, eradication of these rare cells within the bulk tumour may require novel therapies.
Taming the intruders: the domestication of Tigger transposable elements in mammals. It has become apparent that most of the DNA that makes us what we are is actually comprised of the remnants of invading parasitic DNA acquired over time. A continual battle exists between host which tries to silence or remove this DNA, and the parasite that tries to multiply and spread. We are currently investigating an intriguing aspect of this process that involves host genomes 'domesticating' parasitic DNA to ....Taming the intruders: the domestication of Tigger transposable elements in mammals. It has become apparent that most of the DNA that makes us what we are is actually comprised of the remnants of invading parasitic DNA acquired over time. A continual battle exists between host which tries to silence or remove this DNA, and the parasite that tries to multiply and spread. We are currently investigating an intriguing aspect of this process that involves host genomes 'domesticating' parasitic DNA to provide novel functions, thereby facilitating the evolution of specific characteristics within species.Read moreRead less
Modelling human brain development with stem cells and biomaterials. With limited resources to directly study and advance our understanding of human neural development, this
proposal will establish models of 4 key stages. Employing innovative, interdisciplinary approaches, biomaterials will be fabricated to provide structural and chemical support for human stem cells during: (i) neural induction, (ii) specification into neuronal progenitor subpopulations, (iii) neuronal maturation and integration ....Modelling human brain development with stem cells and biomaterials. With limited resources to directly study and advance our understanding of human neural development, this
proposal will establish models of 4 key stages. Employing innovative, interdisciplinary approaches, biomaterials will be fabricated to provide structural and chemical support for human stem cells during: (i) neural induction, (ii) specification into neuronal progenitor subpopulations, (iii) neuronal maturation and integration into complex neural networks as well as, (iv) the organisation of neurons into larger 3-dimensional brain structures, namely folding of the human cortex. Further, biomaterials developed here have commercialisation potential, targeted at standardizing the culturing of human stem cells to defined neural populations.
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Mechanisms Of Glucocorticoid Resistance In Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$547,970.00
Summary
Glucocorticoids are extremely active drugs used in the treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), yet a proportion of patients respond poorly to therapy and exhibit resistance at relapse. Clinically relevant mechanisms of glucocorticoid resistance are poorly understood, principally due to lack of appropriate experimental models. This project will reveal novel mechanisms of drug resistance in childhood leukaemia and lead to novel therapeutic strategies to improve outcome.
Control of developmental switches by importin 5. Aims: This project will study a key molecular switch called IPO5, a protein that is required for cells and organs to form and function normally, and it will reveal how it works.
Significance: These experiments will provide the first complete description of how this molecular switch controls the behaviour of a cell across its lifespan. IPO5 is highly conserved, so these studies will be relevant to a wide range of animals.
Expected Outcomes: This k ....Control of developmental switches by importin 5. Aims: This project will study a key molecular switch called IPO5, a protein that is required for cells and organs to form and function normally, and it will reveal how it works.
Significance: These experiments will provide the first complete description of how this molecular switch controls the behaviour of a cell across its lifespan. IPO5 is highly conserved, so these studies will be relevant to a wide range of animals.
Expected Outcomes: This knowledge will reveal how IPO5 controls formation of sperm by revealing what other proteins it binds to and how this affects cell signaling and responses to the environment.
Benefits: This will provide information about potential interventions to control fertility or to repair abnormal cells.
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Multi-object Estimation for Live-Cell Microscopy. The objective of this project is to develop new tools for the inference of biological information from live-cell data to facilitate analysis of experiments and speed up discovery in cell biology. The new tools would provide reliable, consistent inference requiring no manual intervention and able to process large volumes of data in a timely manner. This would equip biologists with a vehicle that could move them closer to the goal of understanding ....Multi-object Estimation for Live-Cell Microscopy. The objective of this project is to develop new tools for the inference of biological information from live-cell data to facilitate analysis of experiments and speed up discovery in cell biology. The new tools would provide reliable, consistent inference requiring no manual intervention and able to process large volumes of data in a timely manner. This would equip biologists with a vehicle that could move them closer to the goal of understanding the mechanism behind biological processes.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE210100001
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$875,000.00
Summary
A 3-photon imaging system for deep live imaging. This project aims to establish Australia’s first 3-photon microscope system with adaptive optics for deep intravital imaging. This advanced imaging system will enable researchers to investigate the biology of cells and tissue structures in a wide range of organs and engineered tissues, to a degree not possible with existing technology. This project will capitalise on advanced laser, microscope and adaptive optics technologies with the expected out ....A 3-photon imaging system for deep live imaging. This project aims to establish Australia’s first 3-photon microscope system with adaptive optics for deep intravital imaging. This advanced imaging system will enable researchers to investigate the biology of cells and tissue structures in a wide range of organs and engineered tissues, to a degree not possible with existing technology. This project will capitalise on advanced laser, microscope and adaptive optics technologies with the expected outcomes to include the generation of new knowledge of major biological systems, including the immune system and the nervous system. This will provide significant benefits to fundamental interdisciplinary research into immunology, infectious disease, neuroscience, mechanobiology and engineering.Read moreRead less
Engineering a technology platform for organoids. Protein delivery technologies hold great potential to improve organoids (miniature organs used as in vitro models), allowing a deep understanding of development. However, current limitations must be overcome - particularly cost, precision, and efficacy. This project will engineer delivery materials to improve the efficacy of organoids, allowing control over the location and timing of protein delivery. Outcomes will include a technology platform o ....Engineering a technology platform for organoids. Protein delivery technologies hold great potential to improve organoids (miniature organs used as in vitro models), allowing a deep understanding of development. However, current limitations must be overcome - particularly cost, precision, and efficacy. This project will engineer delivery materials to improve the efficacy of organoids, allowing control over the location and timing of protein delivery. Outcomes will include a technology platform of immediate use in the agriculture sector and for animal model alternatives. The benefit will be widespread, ensuring the growth and sustainability of our health and agriculture sector. The project will increase public understanding of protein delivery technologies, aiding in technology adoption.Read moreRead less
Discovering mechanisms of primary embryonic tissue migration through live cell imaging and novel genetic approaches. The studies proposed here will provide concepts and knowledge about the molecular basis of cell migration that will impact on diverse aspects of human health, such as the causes and nature of tumour metastasis and our understanding of the developmental basis of birth defects. In addition, understanding cell migration mechanisms will allow us to better predict or control the behav ....Discovering mechanisms of primary embryonic tissue migration through live cell imaging and novel genetic approaches. The studies proposed here will provide concepts and knowledge about the molecular basis of cell migration that will impact on diverse aspects of human health, such as the causes and nature of tumour metastasis and our understanding of the developmental basis of birth defects. In addition, understanding cell migration mechanisms will allow us to better predict or control the behaviour of therapeutic stem cells introduced into the body.Read moreRead less