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.
Asymmetric Cell Divison In T Cell Development: Consequences For Immunity And Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$642,608.00
Summary
Human health depends upon the development of an immune system that can effectively control infection without damaging normal tissue. In this project, we assess a new paradigm by which immune cell development might be controlled, in which an immune cell precursor divides in such a way that its two daughters inherit different molecular constitutents that subsequently regulate the adoption of different cell fate. The likely consequences of this phenomonon on immunity and cancer will be explored.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100092
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,000.00
Summary
Fluorescence microscopy with optical tweezers: imaging cellular responses. Life relies on the ability of our cells to receive and respond to signals with pinpoint accuracy, involving both chemical and mechanical signals. This equipment will allow scientists to expose cells to both types of signals and measure the response at an unprecedented level of accuracy for the first time.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE140100166
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$370,000.00
Summary
Imaging Cell and Tissue Architecture using Confocal and Super-Resolution Microscopy. Imaging cell and tissue architecture using confocal and super-resolution microscopy: This project aims to understand how the architecture of cells and tissues is controlled. This is because the organisation of biological space underpins the function of cells, tissues and organisms. This project will test the role of identified parts of cell architecture in regulating specific animal functions/pathologies. It wil ....Imaging Cell and Tissue Architecture using Confocal and Super-Resolution Microscopy. Imaging cell and tissue architecture using confocal and super-resolution microscopy: This project aims to understand how the architecture of cells and tissues is controlled. This is because the organisation of biological space underpins the function of cells, tissues and organisms. This project will test the role of identified parts of cell architecture in regulating specific animal functions/pathologies. It will do this by using new microscope technologies which are at the frontier of visualising cell structure in isolation and in the context of tissue including application to the living animal. The dynamic organisation of structures in cells will be imaged in living tissue. Novel insights into structure/function relationships in the body will impact the health industry and generate opportunities for new diagnostics and therapeutics. Read moreRead less
Understanding the critical processes that control cell death and using this knowledge to kill cells that have evaded death. Cell death is essential for protecting the body against cancer, and defects in cell death pathways contribute to cancer progression. To design new and better cancer therapies we must understand the critical processes which control cell death, and develop effective ways to either reset, or bypass, defects in cell death pathways that contribute to cancer. The program as outl ....Understanding the critical processes that control cell death and using this knowledge to kill cells that have evaded death. Cell death is essential for protecting the body against cancer, and defects in cell death pathways contribute to cancer progression. To design new and better cancer therapies we must understand the critical processes which control cell death, and develop effective ways to either reset, or bypass, defects in cell death pathways that contribute to cancer. The program as outlined will elucidate the process of mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization, a critical event in cell death by apoptosis, and determine how to kill cells in which this event is blocked.Read moreRead less
Role of the PU.1 transcription factor in regulating lymphoid development. Haemopoiesis is a tightly regulated process and provides an important model for our understanding and application of stem cell biology. Perturbation of early haemopoiesis results in a number of important disorders including leukaemia, anaemia and immunodeficiency. The application of stem cells to many disease conditions is currently being pursued, however, in order to develop therapeutic interventions knowledge of normal c ....Role of the PU.1 transcription factor in regulating lymphoid development. Haemopoiesis is a tightly regulated process and provides an important model for our understanding and application of stem cell biology. Perturbation of early haemopoiesis results in a number of important disorders including leukaemia, anaemia and immunodeficiency. The application of stem cells to many disease conditions is currently being pursued, however, in order to develop therapeutic interventions knowledge of normal cellular differentiation is crucial. The studies outlined here aim to contribute to the understanding of the these processes and hence help to provide the framework for future studies aimed at more directly altering cell fate decision for clinical applications. Read moreRead less
The Role Of CD1-restricted T Cells In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$431,000.00
Summary
The human immune system requires T cells for survival. Specialised populations of T cells exist that patrol the body and target unwanted lipid molecules expressed by bacteria or by cells that have become abnormal or cancerous. I will identify these T cells in human blood and skin and determine their role in protection against disease. I will explore the types of lipids molecules recognised by these T cells and use this information to help prevent human diseases.
The Role Of CCR6 In IL-17-producing CD8+ T Lymphocyte Activation And Trafficking
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$514,041.00
Summary
T lymphocytes play an important role in the control of infection, but can also contribute to diseases such as autoimmune disease and cancer. This research will identify the function of a new subtype of T lymphocyte and determine whether inhibiting its function prevents disease.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE130100210
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$350,000.00
Summary
In-vivo, high-resolution, whole animal imaging . The purchase of state-of-the-art live-animal imaging equipment for use by researchers at The Australian National University and The University of New South Wales. This equipment will aid the study of many aspects of normal biology and disease including cancer, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and blood vessel disorders.
Mapping The Steps And Deciphering The Mechanisms Crucial In Dendritic Cell Development.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$582,064.00
Summary
Dendritic cells (DCs) are a type of white blood that kick-start immune responses. There are various types of DCs that specialize in, for example, clearing viral, bacterial or fungal infections, and are even used to fight cancer. Understanding how DCs grow, therefore, has many clinical benefits. This project aims to understand these processes and identify new regulators of their growth using cutting edge technologies and strategies.