The Characterisation Of The Mechanism Of Beta Amyloid Toxicity In Alzheimer's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$94,430.00
Summary
Alzheimer�s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and is characterised by the beta amyloid peptide (A_) found in plaques in the brain. A structural transition to aggregated/ oligomeric forms of A_ is accompanied by a gain of toxicity. In this study the biological and biophysical characterisation of a variety of A_ peptides will be performed. The study will also use oligomers from cell culture media and brain tissue that have been influential in AD research but poorly characterised.
Most normal cells naturally cease their growth because their chromosomes erode from repeated cell division. The erosion takes place at the ends of the chromosomes, or telomeres. All cancer cells avoid this erosion, and thus fail to cease their growth. About 85% of all cancers achieve this by activating an enzyme called telomerase, an enzyme that allows cancer cells to avoid the natural ageing process. This project aims to understand how this enzyme gets recruited to chromosome ends.
The Effects Of Estrogen-Responsive B Box Protein On Retinoid Sensitivity In Cancer And Its Significance In Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$82,421.00
Summary
Although effective, many cancer drugs often lead to side effects, especially in children. New therapies are needed that specifically target cancer cells while leaving normal cells unaffected. I am studying a novel protein (EBBP) which I believe has an important role in cancer cell growth. By studying EBBP I aim to be able to increase the effectiveness of the low toxic chemotherapy retinoic acid without increased side effects, as well as understand the functional role of EBBP in cancer cells.
Molecular Mechanisms That Mediate The Anti-osteosarcoma Properties Of Pigment Epithelium-derived Factor (PEDF)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$123,453.00
Summary
Cancer results from a sequence of alterations to genes which lead to abnormal cells dividing without control. Osteosarcoma is a cancer involving bone and can rapidly spread to surrounding and distant tissues. A number of mediators have been identified as being able to provide some regulation of this abnormal cell division. Pigment epithelium-derived factor is one such protein and further understanding of how it achieves this could be used for the development of targeted osteosarcoma treatment.
Clinical And Molecular Analyses Of Nodular Melanoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$130,904.00
Summary
There have been very recent advances in our understanding of the biology of melanoma that are now poised to have major impacts in the outcome of patients with this disease. The nodular subtype of melanoma contributes disproportionately to mortality from melanoma. By using the latest molecular techniques to study these melanomas I will identify causative factors, diagnostic features and molecular profiles associated with these poor-prognosis melanomas leading to new approaches in the prevention, ....There have been very recent advances in our understanding of the biology of melanoma that are now poised to have major impacts in the outcome of patients with this disease. The nodular subtype of melanoma contributes disproportionately to mortality from melanoma. By using the latest molecular techniques to study these melanomas I will identify causative factors, diagnostic features and molecular profiles associated with these poor-prognosis melanomas leading to new approaches in the prevention, early detection and treatment of these melanomas.Read moreRead less