This project concerns the basic biology of white blood cells called macrophages. Macrophages are required for the immediate defence against infection, as well as wound repair and normal turnover of tissues, but they can also produce toxic products that cause illness, especially in inflammatory diseases and cancer. We are attempting to use the availability of mouse genome information to produce a complete picture of the way that macrophages respond to a challenge from a potential disease-causing ....This project concerns the basic biology of white blood cells called macrophages. Macrophages are required for the immediate defence against infection, as well as wound repair and normal turnover of tissues, but they can also produce toxic products that cause illness, especially in inflammatory diseases and cancer. We are attempting to use the availability of mouse genome information to produce a complete picture of the way that macrophages respond to a challenge from a potential disease-causing microorganism, and the influence of genetic differences between individuals.Read moreRead less
Transcriptional Regulation Of The C-fms (CSF-1R) Gene In Macrophages.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$422,310.00
Summary
This project concerns the basic biology of large white blood cells called macrophages. Macrophages are required for the immediate defence against infection, wound repair and normal turnover of tissues, but they can also produce toxic products that cause illness, especially in inflammatory diseases and cancer. We are studying a gene that is normally only produced in macrophages, but appears abnormally in many cancer cells. Our aim is understand at a molecular level exactly how the gene is control ....This project concerns the basic biology of large white blood cells called macrophages. Macrophages are required for the immediate defence against infection, wound repair and normal turnover of tissues, but they can also produce toxic products that cause illness, especially in inflammatory diseases and cancer. We are studying a gene that is normally only produced in macrophages, but appears abnormally in many cancer cells. Our aim is understand at a molecular level exactly how the gene is controlled, and why it appears in tumours.Read moreRead less
A new paradigm of gene regulation - implications in embryogenesis and disease. The proposed analysis of a new paradigm of gene regulation will provide a new key to understanding genome function and inform some of the most compelling biological issues of our time such as stem cell biology, tissue and organ regeneration and genetic programming. The insights and technologies developed in this program will be widely applicable in biotechnological and pharmacogenomic research in Australia and worldwi ....A new paradigm of gene regulation - implications in embryogenesis and disease. The proposed analysis of a new paradigm of gene regulation will provide a new key to understanding genome function and inform some of the most compelling biological issues of our time such as stem cell biology, tissue and organ regeneration and genetic programming. The insights and technologies developed in this program will be widely applicable in biotechnological and pharmacogenomic research in Australia and worldwide, and assert Australia's leadership in this area of research.Read moreRead less
Lungfish Paired Fins and the Origin of Limbs as an Evolutionary Novelty. This project will utilise a uniquely Australian animal, the lungfish, to address a hitherto unresolved problem of considerable scientific significance - how a fish fin evolved into a tetrapod (four-legged animal) limb. The Australian lungfish is the most primitive of the four surviving genera of lobe-finned fish and is recognised as the closest living ancestor to the tetrapods. It is listed as 'vulnerable' in its native ha ....Lungfish Paired Fins and the Origin of Limbs as an Evolutionary Novelty. This project will utilise a uniquely Australian animal, the lungfish, to address a hitherto unresolved problem of considerable scientific significance - how a fish fin evolved into a tetrapod (four-legged animal) limb. The Australian lungfish is the most primitive of the four surviving genera of lobe-finned fish and is recognised as the closest living ancestor to the tetrapods. It is listed as 'vulnerable' in its native habitat. Macquarie University, however, has the only captive breeding population of lungfish in the world. We are thus uniquely placed to address critically important questions concerning the evolution of fish into tetrapods. Read moreRead less
The Interferon Inducible Transcription Factor IFI 16.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$151,208.00
Summary
Interferons (IFNs) play an important role in human biology by regulating cell growth and differentiation, immune function and inhibiting viral replication. These vital functions of type I (alpha and beta) and type II (gamma) IFN are triggered upon binding of IFN to their cognate cell surface receptors. This initiates a series of intracellular signalling cascades resulting in the activation of key transcription factors which induce the expression of specific cellular target genes. The protein pro ....Interferons (IFNs) play an important role in human biology by regulating cell growth and differentiation, immune function and inhibiting viral replication. These vital functions of type I (alpha and beta) and type II (gamma) IFN are triggered upon binding of IFN to their cognate cell surface receptors. This initiates a series of intracellular signalling cascades resulting in the activation of key transcription factors which induce the expression of specific cellular target genes. The protein products of these genes in turn directly or indirectly mediate the necessary biological response to maintain cellular homeostasis. While there are hundreds of cellular genes that are induced following IFN stimulation, the molecular and biological functions of the protein products of many of these genes are often not known. IFI 16 is one such IFN-induced gene that belongs to a family of related genes found in human and mouse. Little is known about what role IFI 16 may play in an IFN response and how it may function to mediate its effect. The proposed study is aimed at understanding how IFI 16 is upregulated following treatment of cells with IFN, identifying which cellular genes may be directly regulated by IFI 16 and how this happens, and whether IFI 16 plays a role in the development of specific blood cells.Read moreRead less
The Role Of The Microphthalmia Transcription Factor Family In Macrophage Differentiation.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$367,193.00
Summary
Macrophages are large white blood cells that are also found in all the tissues of the body. They are a major part of the front line defence against infection and malignancy, but they also cause much of the pathology of many diseases particularly those in which there is chronic inflammation. Macrophages, like all the cells of the blood, are produced from the bone marrow. In the process of macrophage production a suite of genes must be switched on so that the mature macrophage can carry out its fu ....Macrophages are large white blood cells that are also found in all the tissues of the body. They are a major part of the front line defence against infection and malignancy, but they also cause much of the pathology of many diseases particularly those in which there is chronic inflammation. Macrophages, like all the cells of the blood, are produced from the bone marrow. In the process of macrophage production a suite of genes must be switched on so that the mature macrophage can carry out its functions. This project aims to understand the process of selective gene expression in macrophages. It is based upon the identification of four members of a gene family, called the microphthalmia gene family, as candidate master genes that control the overall process of macrophage production. We seek to understand how the products of genes interact.Read moreRead less
microRNA are non-coding RNAs with fundamental functions in biology and emerging roles in disease. Hundreds of microRNA have been found and they control gene expression by destroying RNA or controlling their translation into cellular proteins. We will characterise their mechanisms of action and the cellular factors that are involved. Understanding the way microRNA work is a key question in gene regulation research and will aid the development of therapeutic strategies invovling small RNA.
Understanding the control of male germ-line development by the germline-restrictive silencing factor in plants. The world population is currently increasing at an unprecedented rate, with a concomitant requirement to double the food production from the same amount of arable land. To ensure global political and social stability, equitably increasing sustainable food production without compromising environmental integrity remains a major challenge. This proposal investigates the molecular mechanis ....Understanding the control of male germ-line development by the germline-restrictive silencing factor in plants. The world population is currently increasing at an unprecedented rate, with a concomitant requirement to double the food production from the same amount of arable land. To ensure global political and social stability, equitably increasing sustainable food production without compromising environmental integrity remains a major challenge. This proposal investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying male germ line initiation and development in plants. Switching off male gamete development in some crop plants will create male sterile lines, which, when crossed with genetically distinct lines, will have the potential to produce hybrids that yield 20-30 percent more crop without additional inputs. Read moreRead less
Epigenetic programming of plant sperm cells. Most of the grains and seeds that form the world's food supply are the result of the successful functioning of sperm and egg cells during fertilisation. This proposal aims to investigate the nature of sperm cell genome programming in plants and unravel molecular processes that give these cells their unique identity. This innovative and challenging research will also provide an excellent opportunity for training the next generation of scientists. The o ....Epigenetic programming of plant sperm cells. Most of the grains and seeds that form the world's food supply are the result of the successful functioning of sperm and egg cells during fertilisation. This proposal aims to investigate the nature of sperm cell genome programming in plants and unravel molecular processes that give these cells their unique identity. This innovative and challenging research will also provide an excellent opportunity for training the next generation of scientists. The outcomes of this proposal will enhance Australia's international lead in this field and will pave the way toward the development of new approaches for sustaining and enhancing crop productivity under changing environmental conditions. Read moreRead less
Using integrated frontier and smart technologies to identify new drug targets for parasites causing major diseases in humans and animals. The national/community benefits are (1) enhanced focus on animal and human health biotechnology through the development of anti-parasite compounds and/or vaccines; (2) improved and sustainable control of important parasites with decreased risk of induction of drug resistance; (3) increased profitability of agricultural animal production; (4) consolidation of a ....Using integrated frontier and smart technologies to identify new drug targets for parasites causing major diseases in humans and animals. The national/community benefits are (1) enhanced focus on animal and human health biotechnology through the development of anti-parasite compounds and/or vaccines; (2) improved and sustainable control of important parasites with decreased risk of induction of drug resistance; (3) increased profitability of agricultural animal production; (4) consolidation of a technology platform for further applications in genomics and post-genomics of pathogens of global significance and construction of a pipeline for the validation of drug targets; (5) capturing the benefits from fundamental research and strengthening links between fundamental and applied research; (6) increasing the quality and quantity of scientifically skilled people in biotechnology.Read moreRead less