The Role Of Transcriptional Co-activators And Co-repressors During Embryonic Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$82,421.00
Summary
Every creature starts out as a single fertilized egg. The genome directs the embryonic development of the egg by regulating the expression of genes each of which must be turned on or off at the correct time and place. This essential balance between the activation or repression of genes is controlled by groups of proteins, including ‘transcriptional co-activators’ and ‘repressors’. This project aims to better understand the role of these proteins during embryonic development.
Regulation Of Metabolic Dysfunction And Exhaustion Of Virus-specific T Cells During Chronic Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$749,152.00
Summary
T cells control infections and cancer cells. During chronic infection or tumor development, however, loss of function of T cells prevents efficient clearing of pathogens or cancer cells, a phenomenon termed T cell ‘exhaustion’. We have found that the regulator protein IRF4 controls cellular nutrient usage, growth and function of T cells and that very amounts of IRF4 occur in T cells during chronic infection. We propose to examine the precise role of IRF4 in chronically stimulated T cells.
Elucidating The Tumour Suppressor Behaviour Of FUBP1 In Glioma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$940,780.00
Summary
Treatment strategies for patients with invasive brain tumours are based on a WHO tumour grading system. This system does not account for differences within tumour types, although these can significantly affect treatment outcomes. This project aims to investigate new drug therapies for specific brain tumour types, and to identify new prognostic markers for these tumours. These studies will lead to more individualised treatments, which is critical to improving patient survival and quality of life.
Transcriptional Control Of Peripheral T Cell Differentiation During Pathogen Infection And Autoimmunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$92,314.00
Summary
White blood cells, specifically helper and killer T cells, play an important role in fighting infection. They are tightly regulated and if not properly controlled can lead to aggressive autoimmune diseases such as diabetes and multiple sclerosis. My studies will elucidate the mechanisms behind the regulation of T cells at steady-state and during disease. Insights gained from this project will have implications for the design of new approaches to combat infectious and autoimmune diseases.
Identifying Long-range Regulatory Elements Of The Breast Cancer Susceptibility Gene, BRCA1
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$612,842.00
Summary
BRCA1 is a breast cancer susceptibility gene implicated in both familial and sporadic breast cancers. The mechanisms controlling BRCA1 expression are poorly understood. We will identify DNA sequences critical for regulation of the BRCA1 gene. We hypothesise that these regions are mutational hot spots conferring an increased breast cancer risk. A better understanding of the pathways responsible for promoting BRCA1-associated breast cancer will provide important diagnostic and treatment targets.
Improving Outcomes For Cancer Patients By Targeting The Epigenome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,258,892.00
Summary
The most commonly mutated proteins in cancer involve so called epigenetic regulators, a class of proteins that regulate access to our DNA to control gene expression, DNA repair and replication. We and others have recently developed a variety of drugs to help inhibit the aberrant activity of these epigenetic proteins. My research will focus on ways to improve the efficacy of these existing drugs and find new epigenetic therapies to improve the survival of patients with a broad range of cancers.
Defining The Genes That Dictate The Cellular Response To Tumour Protein TP53 Activation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$784,896.00
Summary
The tumour suppressor TP53 prevents the growth of abnormal cells by activating processes such as cell death and irreversible growth arrest. A cell will undergo only one of these possible responses, but it is not known why some cells die and others only stop growing. We will use innovative methods to define the genes that dictate the cellular response to TP53 activation. This research has implications for cancer, as many therapeutics aim to permanently kill cancer cells by activating TP53.