Relaxin family peptides are small proteins that have numerous essential biological roles in the vascular system, brain and gut. The hormone relaxin is currently in Phase III clinical trials to treat heart failure and the other peptides show great potential as drugs to treat diseases including mental illnesses and obesity. My research focuses on developing drugs targeting the receptors for these important peptide systems and understanding how these drugs can be best used therapeutically
Prof Khachigian is a vascular cell and molecular biologist elucidating fundamental transcriptional mechanisms that lead to the inappropriate expression of harmful genes in vascular cells. Exploiting this science, I am also a “translational” researcher who has pioneered the development of novel strategies targeting key regulatory genes to combat angiogenesis-dependent cancers, and potentially other common vascular disorders such as post-angioplasty restenosis, bypass graft stenosis, ocular neovas ....Prof Khachigian is a vascular cell and molecular biologist elucidating fundamental transcriptional mechanisms that lead to the inappropriate expression of harmful genes in vascular cells. Exploiting this science, I am also a “translational” researcher who has pioneered the development of novel strategies targeting key regulatory genes to combat angiogenesis-dependent cancers, and potentially other common vascular disorders such as post-angioplasty restenosis, bypass graft stenosis, ocular neovascularisation and rheumatoid arthritis.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms Of Gene Regulation - Structure, Function And Design
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$697,209.00
Summary
The human genome contains at least 20000 genes. The activity of these genes must be tightly controlled throughout an individual’s life and problems with the regulation of genes lie at the heart of many common and serious diseases, including most forms of cancer. My program of research is focused on understanding the mechanisms underlying gene regulation and on the design of new reagents that could be used to manipulate the activity of genes that behave aberrantly in disease states.
Fellowship Application, Ed Stanley: Pluripotent Stem Cells & Medical Research
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$638,517.00
Summary
Human Pluripotent Stem Cells are immortal cells that have the ability to turn into any of the cell types found in the body. This means that it is now possible to generate a variety of human cell types in the laboratory, to study how they work, and to find out what goes wrong in different diseases. In this context, the overall aim of my research is to develop pluripotent stem cells for the study of human disease and generate tools that will enable others to use these cells in their own research.
The genetic material is packaged in the cell nucleus with histone proteins. Modifications of histones determine if a particular area of the genome is active or repressed. We are investigating the roles of a family of histone modifying proteins, the MYST proteins. Mutations in these proteins cause intellectual disability and cancer. The research program will provide knowledge that may become the basis for the development of drugs for the treatment of cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.
Identifying Drug Targets In Microbial Pathogens Using Metabolomics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$763,409.00
Summary
Infectious diseases such as malaria, leishmaniasis and tuberculosis cause enormous morbidity and mortality worldwide. This proposal will utilize advanced analytical and genetic approaches to study the metabolism of the respective protozoan and bacteria agents as well as the associated host responses. These approaches will be used to develop novel therapeutic approaches and new analytical tools that can be applied to other infectious diseases
Advancing Nanomedicine Through Particle Technology
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$876,005.00
Summary
This proposal will support the development of advanced particle systems to improve the delivery of medicines in neurological diseases, HIV, diabetes and cancer. It will provide important insights for particle-based therapeutic delivery that are expected to underpin progress on nanotechnology in the areas of biology and medicine. These developments in nanotechnology-enabled medicines towards commercialisation will ultimately improve the health and quality of life of Australians.
I am a biochemist focussed on understanding how the structures of proteins determine their functions. I intend to apply this understanding to medically relevant questions by working collaboratively and using a range of complementary structural, computational and cell biology techniques. In particular, I will focus on proteins involved in infection and immunity, to understand how they work, and contribute to the development of drugs and vaccines.
Sphingosine Kinase As A Target For Anti-cancer Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$590,785.00
Summary
Sphingosine kinase is a protein involved in the development and progression of numerous types of solid tumors and leukaemias. We have recently made a major break-through by identifing how the cancer-inducing activity of sphingosine kinase is controlled. In this study we will target these control mechanisms to develop potential new anti-cancer therapies.