The Microenvironmental Niche In Cancer Progression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$562,742.00
Summary
It is well accepted that the cells in the local environment of cancers can help to promote the growth and spread of tumour cells. We have shown that a cell type known as the pericyte previously thought to be involved in controlling tumour expansion by affecting new blood vessel formation, may directly influence tumour growth, a notion that will be tested in human skin and ovarian cancer models. We will also test if pericyte markers can predict those cancer patients at greater risk of relapse.
The Nature And Significance Of Clonal Evolution In Human Melanoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$665,420.00
Summary
Cancers can progress in patients by developing genetic changes that favor the growth, survival and spread of cancer cells. However, the rate at which genetic changes occur in human cancer is not known. This project will determine the degree and biological significance of genetic change in human melanoma by using a novel method of growing tumors from single cells and comparing genetic differences between them.
Fighting Epidermal Skin Cancers By Targeting Epidermal Clones That Accumulate Mutations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,149,373.00
Summary
Common skin cancers such as basal and squamous cell carcinomas (BCC and SCC) are by far the most frequent cancer worldwide and require over a million interventions per year in Australia. This project will identify the skin cells that are most susceptible to give rise to cancer if excessively exposed to the sun and explores ways to prevent cancer formation. This will inform on new strategies to prevent new skin cancer development.
Effects Of A Novel Hotspot Mutation Of Brm In Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$92,314.00
Summary
Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world. SWI/SNF, a yeast nucleosome remodeling complex, is known destabilise interactions in DNA. It is made up of 8-10 proteins, including a novel tumour suppressor Brm. There is some evidence that Brm acts as a tumour suppressor in skin cancer, but relevance of a recently found mutation in Brm is yet to be characterised. This project aims to identify the effect of this mutation, on cellular sensitivity to UV radiation and examine transfo ....Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world. SWI/SNF, a yeast nucleosome remodeling complex, is known destabilise interactions in DNA. It is made up of 8-10 proteins, including a novel tumour suppressor Brm. There is some evidence that Brm acts as a tumour suppressor in skin cancer, but relevance of a recently found mutation in Brm is yet to be characterised. This project aims to identify the effect of this mutation, on cellular sensitivity to UV radiation and examine transformation to malignancy.Read moreRead less
Identifying The Mechanism Of The G2 Phase UV Checkpoint And Repair Response Commonly Defective In Melanoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$569,656.00
Summary
The UV component of sunlight is the major environmental factor driving the development of melanoma. UV radiation can directly mutate genes resulting in their inability to perform normal functions which may contribute to cancer. Despite the high number of mutations directly attributable to UV radiation, the mechanisms known to repair these mutations are generally normal in melanoma. This research will investigate a repair mechanism we have identified that is commonly defective in melanomas.
Human Pigmentation Genetics, Melanocyte Biology And Skin Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$686,656.00
Summary
The fellowship application by A/Prof Sturm is to support his research into the biology of human skin, hair and eye colour, and the process of melanoma formation. His pivotal discoveries into the genetic basis of pigmentation and its regulation has provided an understanding of these physical traits and the associated genotypic risk factors for skin cancer development. The genes that determine an individual's skin phototype and the mechanisms involved in the tanning response after UV-exposure of t ....The fellowship application by A/Prof Sturm is to support his research into the biology of human skin, hair and eye colour, and the process of melanoma formation. His pivotal discoveries into the genetic basis of pigmentation and its regulation has provided an understanding of these physical traits and the associated genotypic risk factors for skin cancer development. The genes that determine an individual's skin phototype and the mechanisms involved in the tanning response after UV-exposure of the skin are actively being investigated.Read moreRead less
Role Of LncRNA IDH1-AS1 In Regulating C-Myc Driven-glycolysis And Tumorigenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$685,043.00
Summary
It is thought that understanding cancer metabolism will reveal vulnerabilities that can be exploited in the clinic. Indeed, compared to most normal cells, cancer cells utilise different fuels to sustain proliferation and to adapt to their environment. Herein we have discovered a molecular switch that regulates the key metabolic enzyme IDH1 and show this controls tumour growth. Given this switch may be active in 50% of cancers we anticipate our work will have significance to many cancer types.
Role Of Proline-rich Tyrosine Kinase 2 (Pyk2) In Ovarian Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$85,254.00
Summary
Ovarian cancer is one of the most lethal gynaecological cancers in the developed world. Elevated levels of gonadotropin hormones and cell protein Pyk2 have been implicated in ovarian cancer. Our aim is to determine the role of Pyk2 in growth and metastasis of ovarian cancer when stimulated with gonadotropins. In addition, we aim to identify protein changes which occur in ovarian cancer when stimulated by gonadotropins in order to identify new biomarkers for the disease.
Investigating Signalling Pathways That Mediate Suppression Of Anoikis By Chemokine Receptors In Metastatic Breast Cancer Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$597,349.00
Summary
This research aims at understanding the "nuts and bolts" of the main killer in cancer patients - tumour metastasis. We will look for molecules that are specific to metastatic tumour cells that transmit signals from the cell surface to the cell "suicide" machinery and prevent metastatic cancer cell death.