Many infants and children suffer from bowel motility disorders, for example, chronic constipation affects up to 1 in 10 children. However, the cause of many of these paediatric motility disorders remains unknown. In this project, we will examine the development of wiring of the nervous system that controls bowel motility. This is the first study to investigate the development of cell-cell communication during early stages of nervous system development.
The Role Of Co-signalling Receptors In Cytotoxic Lymphocyte Activity During Infection And Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$739,657.00
Summary
Cytotoxic lymphocytes (CLs) are immune cells that detect and kill cancer cells. CLs recognise ‘stress’ proteins on cancer cells through specialised receptors, and this provides the signal for them to kill. However, some cancer cells, such as leukemic cells, can interfere with this recognition to avoid killing by immune cells. This project will investigate the mechanism of recognition and killing of cancer cells by CLs, using both mouse models and cells from patients with acute myeloid leukemia.