A Tyrosine Phosphatase That Regulates Adherens Junctions, Cell Migration And The Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$496,500.00
Summary
Cell-cell adhesion which physically glues cells together to form tissues and organs, also controls processes in development, wound healing and cancer progression. I have identified a novel regulator of cell-cell adhesion that regulates cell migration and cell morphology. Since these events are crucial during metastasis (the spread of cancer) and during wound healing, understanding the function of this novel regulator may provide the basis for new approaches to developing therapeutics. Specifical ....Cell-cell adhesion which physically glues cells together to form tissues and organs, also controls processes in development, wound healing and cancer progression. I have identified a novel regulator of cell-cell adhesion that regulates cell migration and cell morphology. Since these events are crucial during metastasis (the spread of cancer) and during wound healing, understanding the function of this novel regulator may provide the basis for new approaches to developing therapeutics. Specifically, in this proposal I aim to further our understanding of the function of this novel regulator in normal physiology and to elucidate how its functions are regulated.Read moreRead less
Preclinical Assessment Of Gene Therapy For Ventricular Arrhythmia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$801,079.00
Summary
Up to 10% of patients are at risk of sudden death following myocardial infarction. Current treatment and preventative initiatives have their limits and are not without risk. In this proposal we will continue to develop an exciting new treatment approach using gene therapy technology. We will attempt to overcome some of the barriers for human application of this technology and pave the way for early phase clinical trials.
A Novel Mechanism For Intestinal Propulsion: Transit Without Neurons Or Pacemakers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$256,973.00
Summary
A significant complication of premature births is that the mechanisms that regulate normal intestinal movements have not yet fully developed. We have recently identified a novel pattern of contraction that is seen predominantly in the colon of mice that have not yet developed either the normal nerve circuits that control gut movement and also lack the pacemaker cells that are intrinsic to the muscle coat. This motor pattern appears to be responsible for the movement of gut content during the dev ....A significant complication of premature births is that the mechanisms that regulate normal intestinal movements have not yet fully developed. We have recently identified a novel pattern of contraction that is seen predominantly in the colon of mice that have not yet developed either the normal nerve circuits that control gut movement and also lack the pacemaker cells that are intrinsic to the muscle coat. This motor pattern appears to be responsible for the movement of gut content during the development and maturation of the nerve circuits that regulate this process in more adult animals. However, the mechanisms responsible for this process have not been identified. This project is directed at identifying these mechanismsRead moreRead less