Manipulation Of Haematopoietic Stem Cell Niches To Improve Their Clinical Use
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$434,883.00
Summary
Haematopoietic stem cells (HSC) reside in adult bone marrow (BM) and make all blood and immune cells. HSCs can be damaged by chemotherapy leading to blood and BM failure. We have identified an adhesion molecule in the BM which regulates HSC behaviour. We anticipate that inhibiting this molecule will i) help minimise HSC damage during chemotherapy and ii) enhance the success of BM transplantation.
Patient Tailored Immunity Transplant For The Prevention Of Viral Infections Post Haemopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$567,967.00
Summary
Blood or bone marrow transplantation can cure leukaemia and related blood disorders, but patients are susceptible to infections in the period early after transplant. Infectious complications remain a leading cause of death among allogeneic transplant recipients. Our research aims to prevent the onset of infection using novel cell therapies to rapidly restore the immune system thus preventing the problems associated with the transplant process.
Cell Cycle Regulation, Haemopoietic Stem Cells And Myeloproliferation.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$579,138.00
Summary
My research has focused on understanding how the process of cell division can result in different outcomes for adult blood stem cells. I am interested in determining the role of bone and blood vessels in the regulation of blood stem cells and in the development of blood diseases (myeloprolifertive disease). I will also determine the effects of changing the cell cycle with drugs to improve transplantation of blood stem cells.
Establishment Of A Bank Of Third Party T Cells To Treat Virus Infections (that Are Resistant Or Unsuitable For Other Forms Of Antibiotic Therapy) In Immunocompromised And Transplant Patients Across Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$811,530.00
Summary
Bone marrow transplantation can cure cancers of the blood but patients are susceptible to viral infections due to ongoing immune deficiency. We have shown you can grow immune cells in the laboratory and transfer this immunity to transplant recipients. While effective, this has not been widely adopted due to the time, complexity and costs of the process. We aim to address these issues by providing a treatment option for patients with life threatening infections using immediately available “off th ....Bone marrow transplantation can cure cancers of the blood but patients are susceptible to viral infections due to ongoing immune deficiency. We have shown you can grow immune cells in the laboratory and transfer this immunity to transplant recipients. While effective, this has not been widely adopted due to the time, complexity and costs of the process. We aim to address these issues by providing a treatment option for patients with life threatening infections using immediately available “off the shelf” immune cells.Read moreRead less
Cancer Incidence In Recipients Of Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,788.00
Summary
Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is widely used in Australia to treat patients with haematological cancers. The risk of developing second malignancies after HSCT has been increasingly recognised over recent decades as more and more patients survive. The proposed study will characterise the incidence and risk factors for cancer following HSCT. This information is essential for long-term surveillance and intervention strategies in both specialist and primary care settings.
We are studying stem cells and their utility for transplantation into several organ systems including blood, neural and liver. We are also determining the relevance of epigenetic changes in transplanted cells that may interfere with normal function and could be the basis for disease.
Regulatory Dendritic Cells For The Prevention And Treatment Of Graft-versus-Host Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$165,250.00
Summary
Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) remains the most effect curative treatment for patients with a number of malignant conditions, especially leukemia. Graft-versus-Host Disease (GVHD) ocurrs when the newly transplanted bone marrow (which includes the immune system) recognises the transplant recipient as foreign and mounts an immune attack against patient tissues. GVHD is the major complication of BMT and is responsible for the death of up to half of the patients who receive this proced ....Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) remains the most effect curative treatment for patients with a number of malignant conditions, especially leukemia. Graft-versus-Host Disease (GVHD) ocurrs when the newly transplanted bone marrow (which includes the immune system) recognises the transplant recipient as foreign and mounts an immune attack against patient tissues. GVHD is the major complication of BMT and is responsible for the death of up to half of the patients who receive this procedure. These studies will focus on the ability of a newly defined type of white blood called a regulatory dendritic cell to prevent this complication and avoid the requirement for BMT patients to take drugs that suppress their immune system.Read moreRead less