The adult heart has an extremely limited capacity for regeneration. In contrast, I recently discovered that the newborn heart can completely regenerate following a heart attack. How and why the heart loses this regenerative capacity after birth is not known. This Fellowship aims to unravel the genetic circuits that govern cardiac regenerative capacity. The proposed research program will develop novel therapies for heart regeneration through molecular targeting of regulatory RNA molecules.
Wnt Signaling In Dopaminergic Neuronal Connectivity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$387,489.00
Summary
During development, the brain establishes intricate and precise connections. In several brain pathways, little is known about the processes regulating this connectivity. Furthermore, it is likely that the same processes will be required to repair the injured- diseased brain. This project builds on our preliminary data, that Wnt proteins are important regulators of developing dopamine pathways, and has implications for dopamine disorders including Parkinson’s disease and addiction.
If stem cell transplantation is to be useful to repair brain injury, advancement must be made to improve the delivery, survival and differentiation of transplanted cells so that they can sufficiently integrate into the host brain. Here, self-assembling peptides will be developed to provide physical and biochemical support for stem cells and neurones in cell culture (which may be useful for drug discovery) and following transplantation into the injured brain.
Inflammatory lipids are involved in neurotrauma. They are key players in regulating the brain, spinal cord and immune responses to injury and thus in modulating the outcome of central nervous system (CNS) damage. We will investigate how bioactive inflammatory lipids, released during trauma, modulate neural response to injury and regeneration, by assessing their roles on central nervous system responses to injury.
Adding New Cells To The Mature Central Nervous System - Their Role In Plasticity, Maintenance And Repair.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$459,270.00
Summary
There are a number of immature cell populations in the central nervous system. This project aims to understand the biology of each stem cell population and the signals that direct them to generate new brain cells. We aim to utilize these cell populations for nervous system repair.
Cell Therapy For Functional Reconstruction Of Damaged Brain Circuitry
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$401,361.00
Summary
Unlike many organs in the body, the brain has an extremely limited capacity to repair itself when damaged. A promising approach for repairing the damaged brain, as may occur through neurodegenerative disease or traumatic brain injury, is to replace the cells lost to the injury by transplanting new ones directly into the brain of the patient. This research proposal involves the use of stem cells to repair damage to the brain caused by Parkinson's disease, stroke or traumatic brain injury.
Cellular Mechanisms Underlying Neurodegenerative Disease And The Neuronal Response To Trauma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$406,264.00
Summary
Brain and spinal cord injury are major causes of death and disability, with degenerative diseases similarly affecting large proportions of the population. The singular objective of my research proposal is to increase our understanding of the molecular and cellular processes by which nerve cells respond to trauma and diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and to identify new therapeutic approaches aimed at encouraging the repair of damaged cells.