Investigation Of The Role Of Nfix In Adult Neurogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$349,590.00
Summary
This project will identify key components of the molecular roadmap that mediates adult neurogenesis. Elucidating the genes involved in this process will represent a major advance in our understanding of how neurogenesis within the adult brain is orchestrated, and will provide molecular targets for practical applications aimed at harnessing adult neurogenesis for replacement therapies.
Brain Repair Following Stroke: The Role Of Npas4, A Neural-specific Transcription Factor
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$611,053.00
Summary
Stroke is the #1 cause of adult disability in Australia and #2 cause of death. About 60,000 Australians suffer a stroke each year while about 250,000 live with the disabilities of stroke, costing over $2B/year. The Queen Elizabeth Hospital and University of Adelaide will study why the Npas4 gene switches on after stroke and the role it plays in brain repair. Future health benefits may be tests to help improve stroke outcome in patients and therapy to decrease loss of brain cells after stroke.
Dissecting The Embryonic Blood-endothelial Regulatory Code And Investigating Its Role In Leukaemia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$646,389.00
Summary
Cancer initiating cells acquire stem cell characteristics and multiply within a supportive environment that helps maintain and propagate malignant cells. Identifying the normal hierarchy of gene control within blood stem cells and designing therapies that target cancer cells is the ultimate goal of this body of work.
C-Kit Signalling And Cellular Responses In Haemopoietic Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$731,115.00
Summary
Growth factors acting on cell surface receptors activate multiple intracellular signalling pathways that regulate cellular growth and function. Mutations in the genes that code for these receptors or their downstream signalling pathways contribute to many human cancers. The contributions of different signalling pathways linked to these receptors to the various cellular responses (growth, maturation, functional activation) are not understood. In this project we aim to use cell and molecular biolo ....Growth factors acting on cell surface receptors activate multiple intracellular signalling pathways that regulate cellular growth and function. Mutations in the genes that code for these receptors or their downstream signalling pathways contribute to many human cancers. The contributions of different signalling pathways linked to these receptors to the various cellular responses (growth, maturation, functional activation) are not understood. In this project we aim to use cell and molecular biology approaches to determine the role of different signalling pathways in cellular responses mediated by the growth factor receptor c-Kit. The c-Kit receptor has essential functions in blood cell development, skin and hair pigmentation, gut function and the reproductive system. It is also essential for the development and function of mast cells which trigger allergic responses such as asthma and eczema. Mutant forms of the receptor have been identified in certain leukaemias and colon cancers. Many new drugs that target specific intracellular signalling pathways have recently been developed and are beginning to be evaluated in clinical trials. Better understanding of how individual pathways contribute to the function of c-Kit and other receptors is essential for optimal use of these new drugs. For example, it may enable the choice of drugs to block c-Kit dependent cancer cell growth or allergic reactions without affecting the growth of normal blood cells.Read moreRead less
Interactions Between Transcription Factor Networks And Cell Signaling Pathways During Early Blood Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$589,338.00
Summary
Cancer initiating cells acquire stem cell characteristics and self renew within a supportive environment that helps maintain and propagate malignant tumours. Identifying the normal hierarchy of gene regulation within blood stem cells and designing therapies that target key transcription factors (proteins that control other genes) that are over expressed in cancer stem cells is the ultimate goal.
All cells in the blood are the descendants of a single cell type, the stem cell. Stem cells are found in the bone marrow and throughout life have the unique ability to generate more of themselves (termed self-renewal) as well as to produce the functional cell types of the blood, ie. red and white blood cells. This project concentrates on the processes by which these stem cells can achieve these two functions. What are the genes that enable a stem cell to have this self-renewal characteristic and ....All cells in the blood are the descendants of a single cell type, the stem cell. Stem cells are found in the bone marrow and throughout life have the unique ability to generate more of themselves (termed self-renewal) as well as to produce the functional cell types of the blood, ie. red and white blood cells. This project concentrates on the processes by which these stem cells can achieve these two functions. What are the genes that enable a stem cell to have this self-renewal characteristic and conversely what are the genes that are activated when a cell becomes committed to become, for example, a white blood cell ? We have identified a gene, Pax5, which is essential in the process whereby a stem cell commits to become a lymphocyte . Our aim is to understand the function of Pax5 as a model for understanding how the commitment process as a whole works in the blood. These studies, as well as having an underlying fundamental scientific importance, are relevant to the clinical development of a number of stem cell therapies which rely on boosting stem cell production in procedures such as bone marrow transplantation for leukaemia and immune deficiency. In addition a number of characterised human blood malignancies indicate that inappropriate lineage commitment may be a factor in cancer.Read moreRead less
Hematopoietic Transplants From Autologous Pluripotent Cell Sources
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Summary
This proposal investigates the utility of two types of patient-derived stem cells for transplantation into blood. These are induced pluripotent stem cells that are reprogrammed from specialized tissues such as skin cells, and stem cells derived using the genetic material of oocytes or sperm only ( one-parent embryos). Using the mouse, we are looking at the ability of these cells to form normal blood lineages after transplantation, and to repair blood in a mouse model for beta-thalassemia.