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The research focuses on how gene function is networked and the ways that cells talk to each other to coordinate their activity in the formation of organs and body parts. Knowledge gleaned from these investigations will enhance our understanding of the genetic control underpinning normal development and the errors that lead to birth defects. The elucidation of the process that turns naive cells into the right cell type is essential for the use of stem cells for cell therapy and tissue repair.
Aberrant Mesenchymal-epithelial Transition: A Pathogenic Mechanism In Tissue Maintenance And Differentiation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$522,299.00
Summary
The causative genetic factors associated with aberrant changes of cellular properties are identified by analysing the profile and the control mechanism of gene expression. Specifically,this project will reveal how the transition of different patterns of tissue organization may be manifested in birth defects and malignant diseases.
My research is to learn more of the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms governing the development of the reproductive cell lineage, or the cells that make eggs and sperm. My research is required to better understand human reproduction and human embryonic, fetal and neonatal development, and will help in the treatment of diseases affecting these processes.
Understanding The Regulation Of Kidney Morphogenesis In Order To Improve Renal Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$683,040.00
Summary
Chronic kidney disease is a growing burden to the health system. The long term health of your kidneys is influenced by the number of functional units, nephrons, present in each kidney, a feature that is determined before birth. If we could influence this number, we may be able to reduce the risk of kidney disease in later life for at risk populations, including the Aboriginal community. This study will investigate the stem cells that form the nephrons, how the process occurs and how it can be in ....Chronic kidney disease is a growing burden to the health system. The long term health of your kidneys is influenced by the number of functional units, nephrons, present in each kidney, a feature that is determined before birth. If we could influence this number, we may be able to reduce the risk of kidney disease in later life for at risk populations, including the Aboriginal community. This study will investigate the stem cells that form the nephrons, how the process occurs and how it can be influenced.Read moreRead less
The Role Of Crim1 In Growth Factor Activity And Cell Motility/adhesion.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,065.00
Summary
Crim1 is a novel protein which appears to regulate the activity of growth factors and therefore affects the normal development of a number of organs. It is particulrly involved in normal development of blood vessels. A greater understanding of how growth factor activity is modulated by Crim1 will have significance to almost every developmental and disease state involving such growth factors. The potential for Crim1 to link the activity of several distinct growth factor pathways may explain tissu ....Crim1 is a novel protein which appears to regulate the activity of growth factors and therefore affects the normal development of a number of organs. It is particulrly involved in normal development of blood vessels. A greater understanding of how growth factor activity is modulated by Crim1 will have significance to almost every developmental and disease state involving such growth factors. The potential for Crim1 to link the activity of several distinct growth factor pathways may explain tissue specific differences in growth factor responses. These basic advances in understanding will have implications for many disease states, including renal disease, vascular disease and cancer.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms Regulating The Levels Of Circulating Insulin In Response To Nutrition
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Diabetes is the fastest growing chronic disease both in Australia and worldwide, caused by the failure of cells within the pancreas to produce sufficient insulin. I aim to determine how different nutritional inputs alter the levels of circulating insulin, and identify and characterise genes required for insulin production and secretion. As well as providing important insights into the mechanisms that regulate insulin secretion, I will identify new therapeutic targets for diabetes treatment.
Capturing tissue-specific progenitors from embryos and stem cells. This project aims to delineate the precursor cells in the embryo that give rise specifically to major cell types in the body. The project will use genetic analysis to elucidate the critical genetic activity that underpins the genesis of these precursor cells and to track the trajectory and the scope of cell differentiation. The embryological knowledge will provide insights into the fundamentals of developmental process for gener ....Capturing tissue-specific progenitors from embryos and stem cells. This project aims to delineate the precursor cells in the embryo that give rise specifically to major cell types in the body. The project will use genetic analysis to elucidate the critical genetic activity that underpins the genesis of these precursor cells and to track the trajectory and the scope of cell differentiation. The embryological knowledge will provide insights into the fundamentals of developmental process for generating cellular diversity and enable identifying unique precursors and the evaluation of the efficacy of deriving the biological relevant cell types from the stem cells. This project expects to have a significant impact on the translation to cell production methodology for tissue engineering and bioreactor technology.Read moreRead less
Understanding telomere privilege in pluripotent stem cells. We recently identified that fundamental mechanisms which protect chromosome ends (i.e. “telomeres”) are not conserved between somatic and embryo-derived stem cells. This discovery is without precedent and challenges the dogmatic expectation that cellular functions promoting genome stability are conserved in stem cells. We term the unexpected protective capacity of pluripotent chromosome ends “telomere privilege”. Here we will uncover th ....Understanding telomere privilege in pluripotent stem cells. We recently identified that fundamental mechanisms which protect chromosome ends (i.e. “telomeres”) are not conserved between somatic and embryo-derived stem cells. This discovery is without precedent and challenges the dogmatic expectation that cellular functions promoting genome stability are conserved in stem cells. We term the unexpected protective capacity of pluripotent chromosome ends “telomere privilege”. Here we will uncover the molecular, genomic, and proteomic regulators or telomere privilege; determine the breath of telomere privilege in stem cell lineages; elucidate the functional significance of telomere privilege; and exploit telomere privilege to study fundamental biology related to telomeres and the DNA damage response.Read moreRead less
Cellular And Molecular Regulation Of Fetal Ovarian Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$547,315.00
Summary
Normal development of the ovaries is critical for women's health and reproduction. Recent studies have shown that even the very earliest steps in ovarian development, occurring during fetal growth, can play a major part in predisposing to some of the most common and debilitating reproductive and endocrine disorders affecting Australian women. In this project we will take a systematic and comprehensive approach to exploring the mysteries of fetal ovary development, discovering what genes need to ....Normal development of the ovaries is critical for women's health and reproduction. Recent studies have shown that even the very earliest steps in ovarian development, occurring during fetal growth, can play a major part in predisposing to some of the most common and debilitating reproductive and endocrine disorders affecting Australian women. In this project we will take a systematic and comprehensive approach to exploring the mysteries of fetal ovary development, discovering what genes need to be activated and what cellular processes are required for normal ovary development and hence may play a part in ovarian diseases that manifest in later life. This work will offer new avenues for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of ovarian disease and female infertility.Read moreRead less
A Critical New Signaling Axis In Lymphatic Vascular Angiogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$700,784.00
Summary
The lymphatic vasculature is a crucial part of our vascular system required for tissue fluid drainage and maintenance of fluid homeostasis. Lymphatic vessels play major roles in vascular pathologies and in the spread of solid tumours during cancer progression. We have discovered a new molecular regulator controlling the formation of lymphatic vessels. This project will determine the signalling pathway employed by this new regulator and potential for future therapeutic applications.