Role Of LncRNA IDH1-AS1 In Regulating C-Myc Driven-glycolysis And Tumorigenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$685,043.00
Summary
It is thought that understanding cancer metabolism will reveal vulnerabilities that can be exploited in the clinic. Indeed, compared to most normal cells, cancer cells utilise different fuels to sustain proliferation and to adapt to their environment. Herein we have discovered a molecular switch that regulates the key metabolic enzyme IDH1 and show this controls tumour growth. Given this switch may be active in 50% of cancers we anticipate our work will have significance to many cancer types.
Discovering The Function And Structure Of RIO Kinases – Toward New Nematocides
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$545,477.00
Summary
This project is focused on: high quality fundamental molecular science, contributing to national objectives, including the development of novel and innovative scientific concepts and international collaborations; consolidating links between basic and applied research; enhancing the skills-base in molecular biology and global visibility of Australian science.
Myosin VI: A Novel Molecular Apparatus For Epithelial Cohesion
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$605,096.00
Summary
Adhesion between cells holds the human body together and affects many aspects of our health including normal tissue and organ function. Conversely, loss of normal cell-cell adhesion contributes to major diseases, including cancer and inflammation. One key molecule, E-cadherin, is necessary for many epithelial organs and its function is perturbed in disease. This research project addresses how E-cadherin works with a cellular motor, Myosin VI, to maintain the integrity of epithelial tissues.
Mechanisms Of Hedgehog Signaling In Small Cell Lung Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$439,564.00
Summary
Some types of lung are very sensitive to chemotherapy, however they frequently relapse, at which time they become resistant to this form of treatment. This project investigates how embryonic signaling pathways, that normally function to regulate organ formation in development, are activated and promote tumor regrowth following chemotherapy for lung cancer.
Molecular Characterisation Of Telomere Trimming And Its Role In Cell Proliferative Capacity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$403,439.00
Summary
Telomeres are protective structures at the ends of chromosomes. Telomere length is a major determinant of how many times a cell can proliferate. We have recently discovered a rapid telomere shortening process that we have called telomere trimming. We will analyse the molecular details of this process to determine whether it could be used to shorten telomeres and stop cancer cell proliferation, and whether blocking it could increase cell proliferation in patients with short telomere syndromes.
Adhesion between cells is important during health and disease. Cell-cell interactions are necessary both as the embryo forms and to preserve tissues and organs in later life. Important disease states arise when cell-cell adhesion is broken. Only by understanding the molecular mechanisms that hold cells together can we analyse how they are perturbed to cause diseases such as cancer and inflammation.
Regulation Of Dynamic Cell-cell Adhesions By Coordinated Action Of Lipid Kinases And Phosphatases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$529,565.00
Summary
This research project studies the molecular mechanisms that allow cells to attach to, and recognize, one another. Such cell-to-cell adhesion is mediated by the cadherin family of molecules, which reside on the surfaces of cells. Cadherins allow cells to recognize one another and, upon recognition, to adhere to each other. By this means, populations of individual cells can be linked together into cohesive populations - i.e. the tissues and organs of the body. The importance of cadherin adhesion i ....This research project studies the molecular mechanisms that allow cells to attach to, and recognize, one another. Such cell-to-cell adhesion is mediated by the cadherin family of molecules, which reside on the surfaces of cells. Cadherins allow cells to recognize one another and, upon recognition, to adhere to each other. By this means, populations of individual cells can be linked together into cohesive populations - i.e. the tissues and organs of the body. The importance of cadherin adhesion is exemplified by the fact that disruption of cadherin adhesion contributes to many important diseases, especially inflammation and cancer. Thus understanding how cadherins hold cells together is necessary for us to understand the molecular basis of common diseases. In this project we study how cadherins signal to regulate cellular behaviour. We build on our recent discovery that E-cadherin can activate a lipid in the cell membrane, PIP3, that is known to be a key regulator of many cellular activities. We aim to understand how this signal is generated in response to E-cadherin adhesion and how it elicits normal cellular responses to cadherin adhesion.Read moreRead less
Preserving Barriers: How Cadherin Signaling Coordinates Dynamic Adhesion And Tight Junction Assembly In Epithelial Cell.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$557,939.00
Summary
Epithelia protect the body from its environment. Breakdown of the epithelial barrier in tissues such as the skin and intestine, as occurs in burns and inflammation, leads to invasion of bacteria and severe metabolic disturbances. In this project we study the cell signaling mechanisms that maintain epithelial barriers in healthy tissues that undergo turnover and remodelling. Understanding these signaling pathways provides a foundation to understand how they are perturbed in disease.
Tapping The Power Of Pluripotency: The Role Of HMGA1 In Stem Cell Self-renewal And Cell Fate Transitions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$520,314.00
Summary
Stem-cell-based therapies have great potential as new treatments for degenerative and genetic diseases. However, to ensure we move in the right direction, we need a detailed understanding of stem cell properties. We have recently identified a novel mechanism for controlling stem-cell-like properties in both normal and cancer stem cells. In this project, we will further investigate this new means of controlling stem cells, which could revolutionise future therapeutic strategies for many diseases.
Investigating The Mechanism And Consequences Of Cytotoxic Lymphocyte Detachment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,180.00
Summary
Killer cells are white blood cells that destroy cancerous cells. To move to their next target they must quickly detach from a dying target. Failure of detachment results in excessive inflammation and tumour escape. This project will discover the detachment signals required to ‘release’ a locked-on killer cell. This will lead to a deeper understanding of immune pathology and new ways of treating cancer.