microRNAs: discovery and analysis in mouse development. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a new class of regulatory molecule, recently found to be abundant and strongly conserved in several eukaryotic species, encoded by genes that are transcribed into short stem-loop structures and then processed into ~22nt single-stranded RNAs by the RNAi pathway. We have cloned novel miRNAs, and obtained the first evidence for regulation of a miRNA in a mammal. We propose to continue cloning novel miRNAs by the tried m ....microRNAs: discovery and analysis in mouse development. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a new class of regulatory molecule, recently found to be abundant and strongly conserved in several eukaryotic species, encoded by genes that are transcribed into short stem-loop structures and then processed into ~22nt single-stranded RNAs by the RNAi pathway. We have cloned novel miRNAs, and obtained the first evidence for regulation of a miRNA in a mammal. We propose to continue cloning novel miRNAs by the tried method, and to explore bioinformatics-based methods of identification. We will also study the expression of miRNAs in mouse embryos at successive stages, and develop a microarray assay for miRNA expression.Read moreRead less
A role for Cited2, Transforming Growth Factor-beta and matrix metaloproteinases in trophoblast invasion and placenta formation. The placenta is essential for the growth and development of the fetus, and if it fails to form correctly during pregnancy, it can have dramatic effects that can result death in utero, or adult onset diseases. Our research aims to understand how one protein functions in placenta formation. We will also investigate how this protein works at the molecular level in a proces ....A role for Cited2, Transforming Growth Factor-beta and matrix metaloproteinases in trophoblast invasion and placenta formation. The placenta is essential for the growth and development of the fetus, and if it fails to form correctly during pregnancy, it can have dramatic effects that can result death in utero, or adult onset diseases. Our research aims to understand how one protein functions in placenta formation. We will also investigate how this protein works at the molecular level in a process that enables single cells to respond to molecules sent from a distance by other cells (TGF-beta signalling). This process is also very important for a host of other biological processes relevant to human health, including cancer.Read moreRead less
A new generation of multi-modality biomedical image visualisations. This research will overcome the urgent and significant burden in the routine clinical visualisation of multiple-modality biomedical image data, which are complex and exquisitely detailed from the new generation of high-resolution medical imaging scanners. Together with our industry partner RPA Hospital, we will produce 3D visualisation methodologies that will simplify and revolutionise the way biomedical data are visualised, ana ....A new generation of multi-modality biomedical image visualisations. This research will overcome the urgent and significant burden in the routine clinical visualisation of multiple-modality biomedical image data, which are complex and exquisitely detailed from the new generation of high-resolution medical imaging scanners. Together with our industry partner RPA Hospital, we will produce 3D visualisation methodologies that will simplify and revolutionise the way biomedical data are visualised, analysed and interpreted by imaging specialists and disseminated to doctors and patients. Given the pivotal role that imaging plays in modern healthcare, this will improve diagnosis and assessment, and enhance Australia's leading position in the development of frontier technologies.Read moreRead less
Large scale knowledge and image based biomedical modelling and derivation of PET-CT disease maps and treatment response. The smart use of information to improve, promote and maintain good healthcare is a critical mission for our country. Cancer is a serious problem in Australian society and 1 in 4 individuals will be affected by it in their lifetime. Our research is focussed on two types of cancer - lung cancer and the lymphomas - and it will use IT in a novel way to extract important informatio ....Large scale knowledge and image based biomedical modelling and derivation of PET-CT disease maps and treatment response. The smart use of information to improve, promote and maintain good healthcare is a critical mission for our country. Cancer is a serious problem in Australian society and 1 in 4 individuals will be affected by it in their lifetime. Our research is focussed on two types of cancer - lung cancer and the lymphomas - and it will use IT in a novel way to extract important information from a very large biomedical data repository. We hope that it will improve personalised diagnosis and treatment in these cancers and provide new information on how some cancers spread and resist our usual treatments. We think our techniques will contribute to other research areas such as astronomy, agriculture, water/energy resources, and security.Read moreRead less
Information Technology Aided Diagnosis of Dementia with PET-CT Imaging. Dementia is a significant health problem and approximately 162,000 Australians currently suffer from this disease, with costs estimated at $6 billion annually in Australia and a profound effect on the lives of carers and family members. With the ageing of the Australian population, the patient number is expected to rise to 500,000 by 2040.This research will apply innovative IT approaches to develop computer assisted diagnosi ....Information Technology Aided Diagnosis of Dementia with PET-CT Imaging. Dementia is a significant health problem and approximately 162,000 Australians currently suffer from this disease, with costs estimated at $6 billion annually in Australia and a profound effect on the lives of carers and family members. With the ageing of the Australian population, the patient number is expected to rise to 500,000 by 2040.This research will apply innovative IT approaches to develop computer assisted diagnosis of early dementia, when treatment is possible, from combined functional and anatomical imaging modalities (PET-CT). This will not only add considerable value to Australia's medical imaging infrastructure and smart use of information, but will ultimately also deliver substantial benefits to our nation and community.Read moreRead less
Integrated multi-level interpretation and its applications for intelligent multimodality biomedical image navigation, retrieval and tracking. The 64- and 128-slice positron emission tomography – computed tomography (PET-CT) devices at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital were the first in the country. These scanners, with the medical cyclotron and radiochemistry facilities, represent an investment of over A$13 million. This project will address pressing issues in optimising the utilisation of the in ....Integrated multi-level interpretation and its applications for intelligent multimodality biomedical image navigation, retrieval and tracking. The 64- and 128-slice positron emission tomography – computed tomography (PET-CT) devices at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital were the first in the country. These scanners, with the medical cyclotron and radiochemistry facilities, represent an investment of over A$13 million. This project will address pressing issues in optimising the utilisation of the information and systems to provide better service to patients and referring clinicians. This research will add considerable value to Australia's medical imaging infrastructure and healthcare delivery; and advance scientific research in better understanding of system biology, physiology and pathology. The research outcomes will strengthen Australia’s leading position in biomedical information technology research and Australian medical imaging expertise.Read moreRead less
Specification and evolution of vertebrate appendicular muscle. Previously we have determined that two different developmental mechanisms are utilised to make the muscles present within the fins and limbs of distinct vertebrate species. This proposal is concerned with determining the morphogenetic, evolutionary and molecular basis for these two different developmental modes. To do this we will to extend our observations more widely to examine muscle formation in both the paired fins in a phyloge ....Specification and evolution of vertebrate appendicular muscle. Previously we have determined that two different developmental mechanisms are utilised to make the muscles present within the fins and limbs of distinct vertebrate species. This proposal is concerned with determining the morphogenetic, evolutionary and molecular basis for these two different developmental modes. To do this we will to extend our observations more widely to examine muscle formation in both the paired fins in a phylogenetically diverse context. We further hope to determine the underlying genetic basis for these different morphologies by developing techniques to examine their formation in a number of embryonic contexts.Read moreRead less
Tissue specific regulation of gene expression. Despite the polarized public debate concerning the use of stem cells for tissue regeneration, fundamental questions relating to the identity and hierarchy of these cells remain unanswered. The benefit to Australia will be scientific in terms of providing an understanding of how stem and progenitor cells integrate transcriptional control systems during differentiation and the networks that are involved. This is fundamental to the future isolation a ....Tissue specific regulation of gene expression. Despite the polarized public debate concerning the use of stem cells for tissue regeneration, fundamental questions relating to the identity and hierarchy of these cells remain unanswered. The benefit to Australia will be scientific in terms of providing an understanding of how stem and progenitor cells integrate transcriptional control systems during differentiation and the networks that are involved. This is fundamental to the future isolation and manipulation of these stem cell types to benefit the community. The work will also provide postgraduate students with training in state of the art genomic techniques and in the interface between bioinformatics and experimental science. Read moreRead less
Defining in molecular terms cis-inhibition as a means to inhibit Notch signaling. Normal development of a baby and our health after birth is dependent on how our cells behave. Signals move between cells and within them to tell them what to do. Proteins interacting with other proteins mostly transmit these signals. This research focuses on a protein named Notch and the signals that it transmits. Notch functions in normal processes, such as blood vessel formation; but abnormal signaling causes and ....Defining in molecular terms cis-inhibition as a means to inhibit Notch signaling. Normal development of a baby and our health after birth is dependent on how our cells behave. Signals move between cells and within them to tell them what to do. Proteins interacting with other proteins mostly transmit these signals. This research focuses on a protein named Notch and the signals that it transmits. Notch functions in normal processes, such as blood vessel formation; but abnormal signaling causes and/or contributes to pathological situations such as degenerative disease and cancer. We are working to understand how the Notch signal is made and how to control it when it is abnormal. This will allow new medications to be developed to help people who have cancer and other Notch-related illnessesRead moreRead less
Med-Graphic Avatar - a comprehensive, holistic and customisable model for personal health records. Our customisable Med-Graphic Avatar will open up unprecedented access, intuitive interpretation, smart utilisation, and new understanding of massive, diverse health data, and will herald a revolution in patient-centric, holistic medical care, synergising with next generation of participatory, personalised, preventative and predictive eHealth.