Every cell in our body has an intrinsic orientation that is controlled by a universal set of genes known as polarity genes. Loss of this orientation is a common and early feature of cancer. We have identified the gene Scribble as a gene that controls cell orientation and is essential to prevent the development of prostate cancer. We propose experiments to discover how Scribble controls prostate cancer and whether it can be used to better predict outcome for prostate cancer patients.
Role Of Primary Cilia And PCP Proteins In Lens Development: Implications For Lens Regeneration After Cataract Surgery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$413,742.00
Summary
Cataract extraction is the most common surgical procedure conducted in our hospitals today. Unfortunately, a complication of surgery is the development of a secondary cataract. This is caused by residual lens epithelial cells undergoing a wound healing response that leads to severe scarring and loss of vision. This project will identify the factors that are needed to maintain lens epithelial cells in a normal state so that they can act as stem cells that can be induced to regenerate a new lens t ....Cataract extraction is the most common surgical procedure conducted in our hospitals today. Unfortunately, a complication of surgery is the development of a secondary cataract. This is caused by residual lens epithelial cells undergoing a wound healing response that leads to severe scarring and loss of vision. This project will identify the factors that are needed to maintain lens epithelial cells in a normal state so that they can act as stem cells that can be induced to regenerate a new lens that can transmit and focus light as normal.Read moreRead less
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.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE180100200
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$270,427.00
Summary
AutoStem: a high performance, automated stem cell bioengineering facility. This project aims to establish an automated stem cell bioengineering ("AutoStem") facility that will enable critical insights into the molecular mechanisms that underly the loss in stem cell function and tissue homeostasis as we age. The AutoStem facility expects to lead to the discovery of the key drivers of stem cell ageing and the development of novel technological solutions to maintain tissue function with age. The o ....AutoStem: a high performance, automated stem cell bioengineering facility. This project aims to establish an automated stem cell bioengineering ("AutoStem") facility that will enable critical insights into the molecular mechanisms that underly the loss in stem cell function and tissue homeostasis as we age. The AutoStem facility expects to lead to the discovery of the key drivers of stem cell ageing and the development of novel technological solutions to maintain tissue function with age. The outcomes produced from the AutoStem facility will have significant economic and social benefits in enabling healthy ageing and increased productivity for an ageing Australia.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190100174
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$400,747.00
Summary
Calcium-mediated regulation of stem cell development. This project aims to clarify the role of syndecan-mediated calcium in stem cell development using Caenorhabditis elegans. Stem cells have great potential for regenerative studies. While stem cells cultures are widely used, we do not fully understand how stem cells develop within an organism. This project expects to uncover the mechanisms underpinning calcium regulation by syndecan in stem cells. The expected outcomes include the optimisation ....Calcium-mediated regulation of stem cell development. This project aims to clarify the role of syndecan-mediated calcium in stem cell development using Caenorhabditis elegans. Stem cells have great potential for regenerative studies. While stem cells cultures are widely used, we do not fully understand how stem cells develop within an organism. This project expects to uncover the mechanisms underpinning calcium regulation by syndecan in stem cells. The expected outcomes include the optimisation of C. elegans stem cell methods to screen calcium regulating compounds and the creation of an in vivo calcium sensor. The project should advance knowledge of the role of syndecans in stem cells and provide the first analysis of in vivo calcium kinetics in stem cells.Read moreRead less
Redefining tissue-specific endothelial cells through bioengineered matrices. This project aims to improve our understanding of the biological mechanisms that drive blood vessel formation and function. The endothelial cells that make up each blood vessel are inherently unique across different sites within the human body and this project expects to generate new knowledge regarding their organ specificity. Using advanced bioengineering approaches, this project will map human endothelial cell specif ....Redefining tissue-specific endothelial cells through bioengineered matrices. This project aims to improve our understanding of the biological mechanisms that drive blood vessel formation and function. The endothelial cells that make up each blood vessel are inherently unique across different sites within the human body and this project expects to generate new knowledge regarding their organ specificity. Using advanced bioengineering approaches, this project will map human endothelial cell specificity and develop state-of-the-art modelling technologies to improve knowledge of environmental influence on endothelial cell fate and function. This should provide a new framework to modulate the adaptive capacities of endothelial cells and can potentially enable more predictive and targeted drug efficacy and safety testing.Read moreRead less