Modelling the human nervous system with human pluripotent stem cells. The human nervous system is one of the most complex structures evolved to date. In order to understand how it functions, and dysfunctions in a diseased state, it is fundamental to decipher how it develops to generate various neuronal populations that form this elaborate network. Human stem cells provide a valuable source to study such processes. The aim of this project is to use human stem cells to study how early progenitor c ....Modelling the human nervous system with human pluripotent stem cells. The human nervous system is one of the most complex structures evolved to date. In order to understand how it functions, and dysfunctions in a diseased state, it is fundamental to decipher how it develops to generate various neuronal populations that form this elaborate network. Human stem cells provide a valuable source to study such processes. The aim of this project is to use human stem cells to study how early progenitor cell types that structure the nervous system are generated and how their neuronal derivatives form connectivity and functional synapses. The outcome of these studies is that we will establish a cellular model of human neurogenesis that can be utilised to study developmental disease processes.Read moreRead less
Subcellular recruitment of a RhoA ubiquitination complex by Rnd proteins. This study addresses a novel molecular mechanism through which members of the Rnd family of GTP-binding proteins regulate the morphology and migration of immature nerve cells of the developing nervous system. This study has broad implications for the understanding of cell migration during embryo development, as well as in health and disease.
Microtubule structure in nervous system repair. This Project aims to investigate the role of structural and functional cellular components known as microtubules in nervous system regeneration. This Project aims to use innovative approaches in confocal and electron microscopy, genetics, and cell biology, with the expectation of generating new knowledge into nervous system repair. Expected outcomes of this Project include a comprehensive description of how microtubules are rearranged following ner ....Microtubule structure in nervous system repair. This Project aims to investigate the role of structural and functional cellular components known as microtubules in nervous system regeneration. This Project aims to use innovative approaches in confocal and electron microscopy, genetics, and cell biology, with the expectation of generating new knowledge into nervous system repair. Expected outcomes of this Project include a comprehensive description of how microtubules are rearranged following nervous system injury and the importance of microtubule modifying proteins in promoting regeneration. This should provide significant benefits in our understanding of the cellular mechanisms behind nervous system repair, and offer new approaches for promoting regeneration after injury.Read moreRead less
Molecules and mechanisms regulating axonal degeneration and regeneration in Caenorhabditis elegans neurons. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying nerve degeneration and regeneration is essential to tackle and provide treatment for neurodegenerative diseases and injury of the nervous system. This project aims to discover, using a genetic approach and a simple animal model system, the molecules regulating these crucial biological processes.
Controlling apoptotic cell death in health and disease. Regulating how and when cells die is crucial for the development and maintenance of a healthy body and mind. This project will investigate the proteins that are responsible for controlling cell death with the view to identifying novel ways to target these proteins for the treatment of disorders such as cancer, neurodegenerative disease and autoimmunity.
Controlling apoptotic cell death in health and disease. Regulating how and when cells die is crucial for the development and maintenance of a healthy body and mind. This project will investigate the proteins that are responsible for controlling cell death with the view to identifying novel ways to target these proteins for the treatment of disorders such as cancer, neurodegenerative disease and autoimmunity.
Molecular mechanisms of cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate (AMP) induced apoptosis. Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate (cAMP) is an important cellular chemical necessary for cell growth. However, de-regulated cAMP production in response to altered physiology can result in cellular death or apoptosis. This is attributed to the development of certain human diseases and this project aims to understand the molecular mechanism behind this process.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100226
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,000.00
Summary
How innate lymphoid cells regulate mammalian lung development. This project aims to determine the ability of a subset of lung resident immune cells to promote normal lung development through the regulation of stem cells. The lung is constantly exposed to countless environmental challenges including microbes. Mammals’ local immune systems protect the lung from these challenges. This is particularly important in early-life when the lung is still developing. However, impaired lung development affec ....How innate lymphoid cells regulate mammalian lung development. This project aims to determine the ability of a subset of lung resident immune cells to promote normal lung development through the regulation of stem cells. The lung is constantly exposed to countless environmental challenges including microbes. Mammals’ local immune systems protect the lung from these challenges. This is particularly important in early-life when the lung is still developing. However, impaired lung development affects humans and livestock, costing >$3 billion p.a. The intended outcome is to identify basic biological processes involved in normal mammalian lung development, which may lead to strategies to prevent chronic lung diseases in humans and animals.Read moreRead less
Differential roles of gene family members in development of a cell lineage. This project aims to investigate how a family of genes influence cells in the testis to become mature sperm. Testicular cells regulate gene activity via the Snail family of proteins during sperm development, and interruption of their activities reduces fertility in mice and fruit flies. The project aims to use genetic, cell biological and biochemical studies in Drosophila and mice to compare different Snail family protei ....Differential roles of gene family members in development of a cell lineage. This project aims to investigate how a family of genes influence cells in the testis to become mature sperm. Testicular cells regulate gene activity via the Snail family of proteins during sperm development, and interruption of their activities reduces fertility in mice and fruit flies. The project aims to use genetic, cell biological and biochemical studies in Drosophila and mice to compare different Snail family proteins in spermatogenesis. The outcomes will define the different roles of highly similar proteins from the same family in differentiation of a single cell lineage. This is important in generating functional tissues using in vitro laboratory approaches or understanding how normal development and developmental disorders arise.Read moreRead less
Defining the immunological roles of stromal cells within lymphoid tissues. The populations of endothelial and mesenchymal cells that construct the lymphoid tissues are being revealed as key players in the priming and orchestration of immune responses. Yet, fundamental knowledge of the molecular makeup and the functions of these stromal cells, particularly their roles in immune responses, is sorely lacking. This project will utilise a multidisciplinary approach including advanced imaging and bioi ....Defining the immunological roles of stromal cells within lymphoid tissues. The populations of endothelial and mesenchymal cells that construct the lymphoid tissues are being revealed as key players in the priming and orchestration of immune responses. Yet, fundamental knowledge of the molecular makeup and the functions of these stromal cells, particularly their roles in immune responses, is sorely lacking. This project will utilise a multidisciplinary approach including advanced imaging and bioinformatics to dissect the functions of the lymphoid stromal cells and their roles in the swelling of lymphoid tissues during immune responses. This will provide vital information about the biology of these understudied cells and reveal the ways in which they support the generation of immunity.Read moreRead less