The Role Of MIC-1 In The Promotion And Progression Of Skin Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$237,258.00
Summary
Skin cancers are the most common human tumours and the incidence is increasing. Ultra-violet (UV) light is the main factor in the formation of skin cancer. This project will find how a gene product (MIC-1) induced by solar UV affects the skin, and why we see it in skin cancers. This protein has other interesting properties that could bear directly on measuring sun exposure and understanding skin cancer. A processed form is released into the blood, where it could carry UV signals and be used in p ....Skin cancers are the most common human tumours and the incidence is increasing. Ultra-violet (UV) light is the main factor in the formation of skin cancer. This project will find how a gene product (MIC-1) induced by solar UV affects the skin, and why we see it in skin cancers. This protein has other interesting properties that could bear directly on measuring sun exposure and understanding skin cancer. A processed form is released into the blood, where it could carry UV signals and be used in population studies as a measure of sun exposure. It's also induced by certain cancer-promoting chemicals which resemble UV light in their immediate effects. A lot could therefore be learnt from this protein, and if we find that MIC-1 promotes the growth of normal and tumour cells in the skin after UV exposure, we can look for ways to stop this happening.Read moreRead less
Interactions of Insulin-like Growth Factors and their Binding Proteins with Vitronectin: a structural basis for antagonist design and development. Tissue Therapies Ltd has shown that a patented combination of three biosynthetic molecules, VitroGroR, can promote tissue repair effectively. This project will use biophysical and biochemical techniques to investigate precisely how these molecules interact, and hence provide a rational basis for future developments and improvements of this exciting n ....Interactions of Insulin-like Growth Factors and their Binding Proteins with Vitronectin: a structural basis for antagonist design and development. Tissue Therapies Ltd has shown that a patented combination of three biosynthetic molecules, VitroGroR, can promote tissue repair effectively. This project will use biophysical and biochemical techniques to investigate precisely how these molecules interact, and hence provide a rational basis for future developments and improvements of this exciting new therapeutic strategy.
Conversely, this information would also facilitate the development of antagonists to VitroGroR complexes would provide novel opportunities to treat diseases such as cancer and atherosclerosis that involve excessive production of its component molecules.Read moreRead less
Characterisation of p14ARF intracellular trafficking pathways. Over 3500 new cases of melanoma are diagnosed in NSW each year, and one of the most important proteins involved in suppressing melanoma initiation or growth is p14ARF. This project will characterise the movement and functions of this protein with the aim of identifying novel targets for more effective drug therapies.
Investigation of the biology of insulin-like growth factor 1 and its derivatives for the development of new therapeutics. This project will investigate the biology of insulin-like growth factor 1, a key molecule in growth, development and, in particular, the wound healing process. Its success will lead to improved treatments for non-healing (chronic) wounds and, potentially, new anti-cancer treatments.
Understanding the potency and role of individual stem cells in the skin using Rainbow technology. To renew itself, the skin and its components rely on the activity of stem cells. This project will define more precisely the role of each individual stem cell by labelling them with a unique colour and following its fate. This project has the potential to change our current view on how the skin maintains and repairs itself.
The mechanisms and roles of receptor clustering in cell activation and wound healing by growth factors. Growth factors regulate cell proliferation, migration and differentation by interaction with receptors. Such receptors are usually localized at the cell surface, and require intracellular transduction systems to transmit the signal to the cell interior. We have recently shown the hormone-induced clustering of heterologous hormone receptors in cells, and that this occurs with the co-clustering ....The mechanisms and roles of receptor clustering in cell activation and wound healing by growth factors. Growth factors regulate cell proliferation, migration and differentation by interaction with receptors. Such receptors are usually localized at the cell surface, and require intracellular transduction systems to transmit the signal to the cell interior. We have recently shown the hormone-induced clustering of heterologous hormone receptors in cells, and that this occurs with the co-clustering of downstream signalling molecules at sites of engagement with the extracellular matrix. In addition, we have found that cells presented with an extracellular matrix respond better to subsequent growth factor stimulation. The project aims to determine the cellular mechanisms underlying receptor clustering and the basis of the receptor-extracellular matrix interaction. This will enhance our understanding of growth factor function in a number of conditions, including wound healing. We will extend our in vitro results to the animal model to define parameters for enhanced wound repair.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100172
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$330,000.00
Summary
Comprehensive cell imaging facility. This facility will provide Australian biological science researchers with equipment for in-depth analyses of cell function in vitro and in vivo. It will enable innovative research targeted at important questions in fields including cancer, immunology, stem cell biology, infectious disease and tissue regeneration.
Biochemistry of tropoelastin: functional analysis of an essential cell-interactive domain. Elastin is ten times more durable than the best man-made synthetic rubbers because our bodies need to control life-threatening rips in skin, artery and lung. Warm-blooded animals use elastin to build diversely shaped elastic materials for multiple biological environments in these tissues. In this project, we will learn a lot more about the most preserved and functional part of elastin. These discoveries wi ....Biochemistry of tropoelastin: functional analysis of an essential cell-interactive domain. Elastin is ten times more durable than the best man-made synthetic rubbers because our bodies need to control life-threatening rips in skin, artery and lung. Warm-blooded animals use elastin to build diversely shaped elastic materials for multiple biological environments in these tissues. In this project, we will learn a lot more about the most preserved and functional part of elastin. These discoveries will increase our understanding of the grand architectural rules by which elastic protein-based structures are made. We will learn new ways to manage cell interactions in an elastic environment and define design rules to assist in the future design of new cell-binding, elastic, composite materials.Read moreRead less
The Role Of TGF-beta Signaling In Suppression Of Stat3-mediated Tumorigenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$667,000.00
Summary
Stomach cancer is the third most prevalent cancer in the Western World and result in the yearly death of several thousand people in Australia alone. We have discovered a specifice gene mutation of a receptor molecule called gp130 that results in the formation of stomach cancer in mice. We are now aiming to understand the exact molecular events by which this mutation results in the uncontrolled growth of stomach mining cells. Our proposal combines the expertise of the two investigators in signal ....Stomach cancer is the third most prevalent cancer in the Western World and result in the yearly death of several thousand people in Australia alone. We have discovered a specifice gene mutation of a receptor molecule called gp130 that results in the formation of stomach cancer in mice. We are now aiming to understand the exact molecular events by which this mutation results in the uncontrolled growth of stomach mining cells. Our proposal combines the expertise of the two investigators in signal transduction and the making of genetically modified mouse models. These strategies will be employed to specifically address in the laboratory mouse the function of two specififc signaling cascades, called Stat3 and TGF-beta. The identification of detailed description by which these molecules causally relate to cancer formation will provide clear and specific molecular targets for future therapies to treat various cancers, including those of the stomach.Read moreRead less