Characterisation Of Eurl, A Novel Gene Implicated In The Etiology Of Abnormal Brain Development And Intellectual Disability
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$597,541.00
Summary
Intellectual disability affects around one per cent of Australians, and can arise from genetic abnormalities during fetal life, such as through abnormal regulation of gene expression. We have identified a novel gene, known as eurl, which controls brain assembly as well as the ability of neurons to form functional connections within the brain. We will investigate how this novel gene controls brain development, and characterise eurl as a potential therapeutic target for learning and memory.
Do Exposures Before Conception Influence The Risk Of Asthma In Offspring?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$688,586.00
Summary
Asthma and poor lung function are major causes of public health issues. Emerging evidence suggests adverse exposures even before the conception of a child may cause these conditions. The proposed project is part of an international study across generations to identify these factors. This study will provide novel evidence to guide interventions and identify studies to advance this area further. These original findings will be of great importance both nationally and internationally.
DYRK1A As A Novel Target For Glioblastoma Therapies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$620,294.00
Summary
Glioblastoma is a form of brain cancer that is currently incurable. We have discovered that switching-off an enzyme called DYRK1A (using ‘DYRK1A inhibitors’) kills glioblastoma cells. This therapeutic advantage is even greater when combined with drugs approved for other cancers. This project will develop new DYRK1A inhibitors and examine a novel combination treatment for glioblastoma patients. This could initiate a novel therapy that could significantly extend patients’ lives.
Developing New Therapeutic Strategies For Brain Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$763,845.00
Summary
Each year, over 1,500 Australians will develop brain cancer. Unlike many cancers, it cannot be prevented by lifestyle changes. Adults with brain cancer usually die within 2 years. The overall aims of this funding are to extend patients' lives and build brain cancer research in Australia so that we have the best chance of curing this disease. The expected outcome is clinical trial of drug candidates for the most common and most deadly brain cancer, high-grade glioma.
The Role Of The Zinc Finger Transcriptional Repressor Znf238 During Nerve Cell Maturation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$394,264.00
Summary
Proper foetal brain assembly is critical for brain function, but the underlying genetic mechanisms remain poorly defined. In this study, I will investigate a family of proteins that “turn on” neural gene expression in combination with another protein that “turns off” their expression during nerve cell development. Understanding this novel on/off mechanism for controlling gene expression in newborn nerve cells will further our understanding of how the brain is assembled.
Functional links between estuaries and their catchments: How does land use change affect estuarine ecological and bio-geochemical function? Estuaries are iconic recreational areas of high ecological and socio-economic value. Estuarine health is strongly linked to the catchments that feed them, yet we have no detailed understanding of these links. This project will use a number of state of the art approaches to better understand how land use affects estuarine health.
Antigen Selection In The MHC-restricted Cellular Immune Response
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$175,570.00
Summary
The body's white cells eliminate microorganisms through the actions of immune lymphocytes and other cells which conspire to kill and neutralise these unwanted guests. When microorganisms hide inside the cells of the body they are still detected by a set of T lymphocytes which have specific receptors for scrutinising the surface of cells for any changes which might signal an intracellular infection. The immune system is ever vigilant in its search for signs of infection which are generally appare ....The body's white cells eliminate microorganisms through the actions of immune lymphocytes and other cells which conspire to kill and neutralise these unwanted guests. When microorganisms hide inside the cells of the body they are still detected by a set of T lymphocytes which have specific receptors for scrutinising the surface of cells for any changes which might signal an intracellular infection. The immune system is ever vigilant in its search for signs of infection which are generally apparent when molecules called antigens are released by microorganisms and captured by the body's cells. This activates lymphocytes resulting in an immune response capable of eliminating the microorganisms. Scrutiny of the body's cells by lymphocytes occurs continuously even when there is no infection present in the body. Following infection of a cell, microbial antigens reveal the infection by their appearance on the cell surface where they are detected by the immune system's lymphocytes. This occurs through a mechanism called antigen presentation. During antigen presentation the proteins inside the cell, including those of any invading microorganism, are first degraded into shorter molecules called peptides. This event is called antigen processing. A fraction of the peptides created by antigen processing are captured by specialised receptors present on all cells. These receptors are called HLA or histocompatibility molecules. This project examines the molecular events which mediate the capture of peptide antigens by HLA molecules. The main focus is on those peptide antigens which elicit killer T cell responses by the immune system. A knowledge of how these peptides are selected for presentation and how they are captured and carried to the cell surface is fundamental to understanding immune responses to microorganisms, tumours, allergens, transplants and self tissues as in autoimmunity. Therefore the study is of great general relevance.Read moreRead less
Assessing the ecosystem-wide risks of threatened species translocation. Assessing the ecosystem-wide risks of threatened species translocation. This project aims to develop the first quantitative risk assessment framework to improve decisions about moving threatened species to new places. Moving threatened plants and animals to new environments, or reintroducing them where they previously persisted, is a growing focus of conservation. Moving species can have unanticipated effects on other specie ....Assessing the ecosystem-wide risks of threatened species translocation. Assessing the ecosystem-wide risks of threatened species translocation. This project aims to develop the first quantitative risk assessment framework to improve decisions about moving threatened species to new places. Moving threatened plants and animals to new environments, or reintroducing them where they previously persisted, is a growing focus of conservation. Moving species can have unanticipated effects on other species in the ecosystem. Although the International Union for Conservation of Nature deems ecosystem-wide risk assessments essential for conservation translocations, no framework exists to assess these risks and inform these decisions. New tools for assessing the risks of conservation translocations are expected to improve global and local conservation outcomes.Read moreRead less
A novel top-down approach to ecosystem management using multivariate foraging strategies of an iconic marine top-predator. Understanding predator aggregation patterns in relation to marine productivity is critical in designing ecosystem-level conservation plans for protecting marine habitats and species. The project aims to develop a new approach to measure prey abundance and availability in the marine ecosystem for the management of resources of top-predators. This will be of specific benefit i ....A novel top-down approach to ecosystem management using multivariate foraging strategies of an iconic marine top-predator. Understanding predator aggregation patterns in relation to marine productivity is critical in designing ecosystem-level conservation plans for protecting marine habitats and species. The project aims to develop a new approach to measure prey abundance and availability in the marine ecosystem for the management of resources of top-predators. This will be of specific benefit in areas where a strong need exists for conservation of prey species with economic importance too low to justify expensive at-sea research.Read moreRead less
Cascading effects of Australia's ecological extinctions on biodiversity and ecosystem function. The current rate of species extinctions is so extensive that it has been described as the “sixth mass extinction”. In Australian ecosystems, extinctions and declines of mammals have been dramatic, with formerly abundant species now “ecologically extinct”, meaning they are too rare to continue to play important ecological roles. The loss of entire functional guilds may have cascading effects on biodive ....Cascading effects of Australia's ecological extinctions on biodiversity and ecosystem function. The current rate of species extinctions is so extensive that it has been described as the “sixth mass extinction”. In Australian ecosystems, extinctions and declines of mammals have been dramatic, with formerly abundant species now “ecologically extinct”, meaning they are too rare to continue to play important ecological roles. The loss of entire functional guilds may have cascading effects on biodiversity and ecosystem function. This project uses a multi-scalar experimental approach to investigate the broader impacts of mammal declines on Australian ecosystems, accounting for interactions with climate. The outcomes will include new insights into the pre-European state of Australian ecosystems and more realistic targets for ecosystem restoration.Read moreRead less