Role Of Resident Endothelial Progenitor Cells In Melanoma Vascularisation And Progression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$952,328.00
Summary
Melanoma is one of the most frequent cancers in Australia. Its growth depends on the rpoper delivery of nutrients and oxygen through blood vessels. This requires the formation of new blood vessels as the tumour grows. In this project we intend to understand the origin of the blood vessels that form in tumours and identify the stem cells that support them. We will use proof of principle experiments to determine whether removal of these stem cells allows the regression of melanoma tumours.
Defining The Role Of The Ubiquitin Protein Ligase Nedd4 In Vascular Development.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$702,166.00
Summary
Blood and lymphatic vessels are vital components of the cardiovascular system. Abnormalities in the growth and development of these vessels are associated with human disorders including cancer and cardiovascular disease. The focus of this application is to characterise the role of the ubiquitin protein ligase Nedd4 in vascular development, with the aim of identifying targets to which novel therapeutics for the treatment of blood and lymphatic vascular diseases could be generated.
The vision we rely on every day to read and recognise faces depends upon the health of the central portion of our retina, the macula. Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in Australia and the western world. Researchers at the Australian National University are collaborating to bring a new test for AMD severity to the market within 3 years. The objective is to provide doctors with a rapid, cost-effective tool to help them manage treatment.
Regulation Of VEGFR Trafficking And Signal Transduction By The Ubiquitin Ligase Nedd4
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$388,347.00
Summary
Our recent work has discovered that the Nedd4 gene is crucial for the growth and development of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. Our data suggest that Nedd4 controls vessel growth by regulating the levels and signalling activity of the key vascular growth factor receptors VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3. The goals of this proposal are to define precisely how Nedd4-1 regulates the activity of these receptors and how VEGFR signalling could be better targeted to treat vascular disorders.
Targeting Bone Marrow Mediated Angiogenesis And Metastasis In Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$463,006.00
Summary
Despite advances in treatment and diagnostics breast cancer (BC) remains one of the leading causes of death in women. Metastases and tumour blood vessel recruitment are linked. Work by Dr Mellick and others has shown that host bone marrow contributes endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) to tumour vasculature. The chemokines and their receptors, which differentiate EPCs from tumour vessels, will be knocked down in the tumour cells and EPC progenitors with the aim of preventing tumour spread.