Functional Characterization And Therapeutic Targeting Of The Novel Long Noncoding RNA RP1-40E16.9
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$673,447.00
Summary
Cancer is the most common cause of death from diseases in children. Neuroblastoma is the most common solid tumour in early childhood. In this project, we will define the role of a novel long non-protein-coding RNA in promoting neuroblastoma initiation and progression. We will also define the anti-cancer efficacy of a novel therapy targeting the long non-protein-coding RNA.
Targeting JMJD6 Gene Gain For The Therapy Of Neuroblastoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$381,012.00
Summary
Cancer is the most common cause of death from disease in children. Neuroblastoma is the most prevalent solid tumour in early childhood. In this project, we will define the key role of JMJD6 gene gain in neuroblastoma cell proliferation, survival and tumourigenesis. We will also identify a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of neuroblastoma.
To Determine Whether Myc-driven Transformation In Haematopoietic Cell Lineages Is Dependent On High-levels Of Myc Protein Expression.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$371,896.00
Summary
Myc is an essential cellular protein but is also a common drive of cancer in multiple tissues. In blood cancers Myc is frequently overexpressed. In contrast, Myc is rarely overexpressed in early stage solid cancers, although often elevated levels at later stages. We will employ unique models of cancer in which Myc can be activated at different set levels at different times during blood cell development to address what the specific contributions of different levels of Myc are in the evolution of ....Myc is an essential cellular protein but is also a common drive of cancer in multiple tissues. In blood cancers Myc is frequently overexpressed. In contrast, Myc is rarely overexpressed in early stage solid cancers, although often elevated levels at later stages. We will employ unique models of cancer in which Myc can be activated at different set levels at different times during blood cell development to address what the specific contributions of different levels of Myc are in the evolution of blood cancers.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms For Regulation Of Myc Transcription And Cell Growth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,347.00
Summary
We aim to use the animal model system, the vinegar fly, to investigate mechanism for cancer initiation. The fly has been studied for over 90 years and has proved an excellent genetic model for understanding the complex processes leading to abnormal cell growth, which is associated with the early stages of human cancer. The high level of conservation between fly genes and human cancer genes means these studies will provide novel insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying tumour formation.
Study Of C-KIT Mutations In Familial Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumours, Melanoma And A Novel Form Of Waardenburg Syndrome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$68,378.00
Summary
The primary aim of this research project is to study mutations in a cancer causing gene called c-KIT. We seek to identify tumour characteristics which are predictive for the presence of particular types of c-KIT mutations in melanomas and gastrointestinal stromal tumours. The detection of tumours harbouring these mutations will help in the treatment of cancer sufferers because this group of patients have been shown to respond very well to a class of drugs known as tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
Regulation Of Ribosomal Gene Transcription By C-MYC During Differentiation And Lymphomagenesis.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$287,261.00
Summary
A fundamental question in medical biology revolves around how cells respond to the demands to grow and produce proteins, particularly in the setting of the rapid growth of cancer cells. One of the important facets of cellular growth is the production of new proteins needed for all areas of cell life. It is well known that cellular growth involves the production of proteins and this in turn requires the transcription or duplication of ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs). The control of rRNA synthesis, however ....A fundamental question in medical biology revolves around how cells respond to the demands to grow and produce proteins, particularly in the setting of the rapid growth of cancer cells. One of the important facets of cellular growth is the production of new proteins needed for all areas of cell life. It is well known that cellular growth involves the production of proteins and this in turn requires the transcription or duplication of ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs). The control of rRNA synthesis, however, is not well understood. We have identified a novel process to link a cancer causing gene c-MYC to the control of protein production in cells through regulation of rRNA synthesis. Our experiments will examine the hypothesis that c-MYC directly affects the production of rRNA . Finally we will test the link between the ability of c-MYC to cause malignant growth of cells and its role in increasing synthesis of rRNA. These findings may lay the basis for new treatments for disorders of regulated cell growth such as cancer.Read moreRead less
Cellular And Molecular Determinants Of Preleukaemic And Leukaemic Stem Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$292,635.00
Summary
It has recently become evident that the formation, growth and relapse of many cancers is driven by a rare population of cancer stem cells (CSCs) that have the unique ability to propagate new tumours and are highly resistant to current therapies. However, which normal cells are transformed into CSCs is not known. We will take a potent cancer gene found in leukaemia, and switch it on and off in specific blood cells in mice to determine which healthy cells can be turned into leukaemic stem cells.