Identification Of Novel Targeted Therapies For JAK2-driven Leukemogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$392,717.00
Summary
Many leukemias are caused by particular signalling molecules becoming too active in blood cells. My research focusses on the molecules that are required by leukemic cells for their growth and survival. I will use mice that are prone to developing leukemia to study how these leukemias can be treated with drugs that block specific molecules. My goal is to discover new ways to treat leukemias that work better and have fewer side effects than current treatments.
Analysis Of Apoptotic Pathways To Develop Better Therapies For Unresponsive Cancers.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$130,807.00
Summary
Tight control of the balance between cellular survival and death is important for normal development and to avoid numerous diseases. Inappropriate survival of precancerous cells can contribute to oncogenesis. Anti-cancer therapies act by inducing a cellular self-destruct program in tumour cells, and blocks in pathways controlling this process can lead to resistance to anti-cancer treatments. Defining cell death pathways will enable the development of better therapies for incurable cancers.
The Role Of MC1R Polymorphism In Skin Cancer Risk Phenotypes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$480,750.00
Summary
Sunsmart campaigns are a unifying element in the lives of many Australians who wish to ensure protection against the damaging effects of ultraviolet rays in sunlight. Indeed, Australians have the highest incidence of UV-induced melanoma in the world. Although it is evident that lighter skin colours are more susceptible to sun damage, the relationship between sun exposure, skin type and melanoma formation is less clear. An essential first step in understanding the complex interactions that give r ....Sunsmart campaigns are a unifying element in the lives of many Australians who wish to ensure protection against the damaging effects of ultraviolet rays in sunlight. Indeed, Australians have the highest incidence of UV-induced melanoma in the world. Although it is evident that lighter skin colours are more susceptible to sun damage, the relationship between sun exposure, skin type and melanoma formation is less clear. An essential first step in understanding the complex interactions that give rise to melanoma, and in identifying individuals that have a high susceptibility, is to reduce phenotypic analyses to genotypic classifications. As pigmentation phenotype is a factor of central importance in determining an individuals risk for melanoma, characterisation of the genes underlying the physical qualities of human eye, hair and skin colour will give a more direct and accurate genotypic assessment of risk. Results from an epidemiology study of melanoma patients in Queensland have identified a number of genetic changes within the melanocyte stimulating hormone receptor (MC1R) gene that associate with skin, hair and eye colour as well as with incidence of melanoma. Further investigation of MC1R gene alleles which segregate with skin and hair colours will provide the beginning for a whole new genotype-based classification of skin colour and melanoma risk, and will significantly contribute to our understanding of what makes some individuals highly susceptible to melanoma while others are not. Indeed, MC1R polymorphisms may numerically be the most important melanoma predisposition gene yet identified, exerting its effects as one of those common genes of small effect which may account for much more of the case load in melanoma than rarer genes of large effect. Studies such as this will enable powerful genotyping methods to be employed in identification of those individuals at highest risk for melanoma and other skin cancers.Read moreRead less
I am a cellular biologist studying lineage commitment and differentiation in the mammary gland. Key interests include defining transcriptional regulators that are important for mammary gland development and oncogenesis, and the characterisation of normal
Isolation And Characterisation Of Mouse Mammary Stem And Progenitor Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$540,202.00
Summary
We have discovered the rare adult stem cell from which all breast epithelial tissue is formed. A single stem cell was found to be capable of giving rise to various cell types in the breast, including the secretory units that produce milk and the ductal cells that transmit milk to the nipple. These cell types are responsible for the majority of human breast tumours. However, the precise 'cell of origin' from which cancers ultimately develop is not known. We recently also found that the stem cell ....We have discovered the rare adult stem cell from which all breast epithelial tissue is formed. A single stem cell was found to be capable of giving rise to various cell types in the breast, including the secretory units that produce milk and the ductal cells that transmit milk to the nipple. These cell types are responsible for the majority of human breast tumours. However, the precise 'cell of origin' from which cancers ultimately develop is not known. We recently also found that the stem cell population is expanded in at least one model of mammary tumours, suggesting that some tumours may arise from the breast stem cell itself. Using mouse models and cellular assays, our aim is to characterise, for the first time, the hierarchy of stem, progenitor ('daughter cells') and mature cells in the mammary gland. These studies will provide insight into the various cell types that give rise to different types of breast cancer. An important evolving concept in cancer biology is that a rare population of cells resident within a tumour, termed 'cancer stem cells', have indefinite growth potential and drive tumour growth. These cells could even account for resistance to conventional anti-cancer treatment, as cells with stem cell-like properties would be able to proliferate extensively and form new tumours. We will apply our knowledge of normal mammary stem cells to determine whether cancer stem cells are indeed present in mouse tumours. Those findings will have direct relevance to human breast cancer. Utlimately, we wish to identify specific cell surface proteins on stem and precursor cells that could provide therapeutic targets. Our studies will provide new insights into the cell types from which breast cancer arise, and how their fate and tumour-forming capacity can be modified by altering gene expression. Delineation of cancer-prone cells and cancer stem cells could reveal new markers and provide new therapeutic strategies to target breast cancer.Read moreRead less
Novel Strategies In Cancer Cell Invasion In High-density 3D Matrix
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$60,768.00
Summary
The use of high-density (HD) matrix to study cell invasion sets precedence in mimicking the HD breast tissue condition that pose a real cancer risk. Cell invasion promotes the spread of cancer causing organ failures and death. The aims of this project are to determine the molecular mechanisms and to isolate new regulatory markers of cell invasion into HD matrix. Putative markers will be confirmed by investigating their expression levels in tissue arrays of 195 breast cancer samples.
This project seeks to evaluate the role of new cell growth regulating pathway in the development of moles and melanoma. In particular, we will determine at which stage during tumour progression disruption of this pathway occurs, and whether its loss is associated with melanoma patient survival. Identification of the cancer-related changes that occur when this pathway is aberrant may ultimately lead to the development of novel therapies to treat melanoma.
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a major health problem with only about one third of patients being cured. In addition therapies have changed little over the last 20 years. However there is optimism that with greater knowledge of the biochemical changes in AML that are caused by genetic mutations, more effective treatments will be developed. This project therefore aims to increase understanding of the biochemical interplay between two proteins called c-Cbl and Flt3 that are altered in AML.
CHARACTERISATION OF A NOVEL REGULATOR OF PHOSPHOINOSITIDE 3-KINASE-MEDIATED CELL PROLIFERATION AND PLATELET SIGNALLING
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,091.00
Summary
Critical functions such as cell growth, cell death and metabolism, are tightly controlled by key proteins which respond to specific stimuli. Perturbation of this process may lead to uncontrolled growth and cancer. This project proposes to examine the potential of a novel protein (an enzyme) as a physiological regulator of cell growth. It is proposed that this enzyme may function as a brake in preventing the evolution of a cancerous state. We will also study the ability of the novel enzyme to inf ....Critical functions such as cell growth, cell death and metabolism, are tightly controlled by key proteins which respond to specific stimuli. Perturbation of this process may lead to uncontrolled growth and cancer. This project proposes to examine the potential of a novel protein (an enzyme) as a physiological regulator of cell growth. It is proposed that this enzyme may function as a brake in preventing the evolution of a cancerous state. We will also study the ability of the novel enzyme to influence other diverse functions, such as uptake of glucose, and blood clot initiation.Read moreRead less