Investigation Of The Role For GPVI In Platelet Function And Thrombosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$542,772.00
Summary
Blood cells play an important role in maintaining healthy blood vessels. We are studying the role of platelets in blood clots following vessel injury. However, while critical for normal blood vessel maintenance, these cells also contribute to diseases including thrombosis. We will examine how an important platelet receptor called GPVI promotes blood clot formation, and examine whether combining anticoagulant drugs with GPVI deficient platelets leads to a more effective anticlotting approach.
Haematopoietic Stem Cell Glycome Regulates Outcome Of Niche Interactions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$913,729.00
Summary
Hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) reside in the bone marrow (BM) and make all the cells of the blood system. We have found a factor in the BM which when blocked, puts normal HSC to sleep helping them survive chemotherapy. This means cancer patients should suffer less side-effects from their therapy. This factor also helps leukaemia stem cells (LSC) resist chemotherapy. Inhibitors may a) reduce patient mortality caused by chemotherapy and b) sensitise LSC to chemotherapy enabling long-term cure.
Mechanisms By Which Endothelial Selectins Regulate Normal And Malignant Stem Cell Fate
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$708,742.00
Summary
Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) reside in the bone marrow (BM) and make all the cells of the blood system. We have found a molecule in the BM which when increased during inflammation, awakens normal HSPC. We previously showed this molecule also helps leukaemia and other cancer stem cells resist chemotherapy. We have now identified the mechanism why. These proposed studies open new therapeutic avenues to sensitise cancer stem cells to therapy enabling long-term cure.
Cytoskeletal Regulation Of Platelet Adhesion And Thrombus Formation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$406,527.00
Summary
Platelets are small specialised blood cells that are essential for normal blood clotting and repair of damaged blood vessels following injury. When platelets stick to sites of blood vessel injury they undergo dramatic changes in their shape and internal structure that are necessary for these cells to spread over the damaged surface and facilitate the formation of a stable blood clot. We are studying these changes in the intracellular structure (cytoskeleton) of platelets and how these events mig ....Platelets are small specialised blood cells that are essential for normal blood clotting and repair of damaged blood vessels following injury. When platelets stick to sites of blood vessel injury they undergo dramatic changes in their shape and internal structure that are necessary for these cells to spread over the damaged surface and facilitate the formation of a stable blood clot. We are studying these changes in the intracellular structure (cytoskeleton) of platelets and how these events might regulate the reactivity of platelets and their ability to adhere to blood vessels. An understanding of these processes will add significantly to our knowledge of how blood clots. This information is relevant to many human diseases such as heart attack and stroke.Read moreRead less
Investigation Of A New Rheology Dependent Platelet Aggregation Mechanism
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$509,447.00
Summary
We plan to examine a new mechanism promoting blood clot formation that involves the clumping (aggregation) of blood platelets. Our central hypothesis is that disturbances of blood flow, as occurs in diseased arteries, activates this clotting mechanism through a unique platelet activation process. Defining this new activation mechanism has the potential to lead to new approaches to prevent blood clot formation in patients with heart disease.
Niche Regulation Of Normal And Malignant Stem Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$622,655.00
Summary
Hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) reside in the bone marrow (BM) and make all the cells of the blood system. We study molecules in the BM regulating normal HSC to helping them survive chemotherapy. This means cancer patients should suffer less side-effects from their therapy. Some of these molecule also help leukaemia stem cells (LSC) resist chemotherapy. Inhibitors may a) reduce patient mortality caused by chemotherapy and b) sensitise LSC to chemotherapy enabling long-term cure.
Manipulation Of Haematopoietic Stem Cell Niches To Improve Their Clinical Use
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$434,883.00
Summary
Haematopoietic stem cells (HSC) reside in adult bone marrow (BM) and make all blood and immune cells. HSCs can be damaged by chemotherapy leading to blood and BM failure. We have identified an adhesion molecule in the BM which regulates HSC behaviour. We anticipate that inhibiting this molecule will i) help minimise HSC damage during chemotherapy and ii) enhance the success of BM transplantation.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE160100220
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$180,000.00
Summary
Fluorescence and internal reflection system to develop lab-on-chip devices. Fluorescence and internal reflection system to develop lab-on-chip devices:
The aim of this project is to develop and establish a state-of-the-art fluorescence imaging facility. It aims to establish a total internal reflection fluorescence microscope combined with high speed epifluorescence imaging workstation that will be tailored to specifically investigate the fundamentals of blood cell, and vascular cell function. T ....Fluorescence and internal reflection system to develop lab-on-chip devices. Fluorescence and internal reflection system to develop lab-on-chip devices:
The aim of this project is to develop and establish a state-of-the-art fluorescence imaging facility. It aims to establish a total internal reflection fluorescence microscope combined with high speed epifluorescence imaging workstation that will be tailored to specifically investigate the fundamentals of blood cell, and vascular cell function. The project forms part of a broad bioengineering research program aimed at developing novel lab-on-chip technologies for basic cell biology and haematology. Outcomes from these projects may have significant impact in fundamental research in both bioengineering and biology disciplines.Read moreRead less