Investigating the activator function of the Bim protein. Apoptosis is a research area where Australia has had long standing success. The first observations of this important process were made by Prof John Kerr in the 60's and 70's. A molecular renaissance developed in the late 80's and has led to the current explosion in this area of research. Many of these recent studies have been conducted at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute. Our scientific endeavour is aimed at broadening the understanding ....Investigating the activator function of the Bim protein. Apoptosis is a research area where Australia has had long standing success. The first observations of this important process were made by Prof John Kerr in the 60's and 70's. A molecular renaissance developed in the late 80's and has led to the current explosion in this area of research. Many of these recent studies have been conducted at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute. Our scientific endeavour is aimed at broadening the understanding of the mechanisms of cell death using genetically modified mouse models. Insights gained through this project will have far reaching implications for the design of new drugs to combat cancer and degenerative diseases.Read moreRead less
Re-uniting marsupials and eutherians by embryonic micromanipulation. The unique responsibility for transmitting life from generation to generation normally depends on the gametes. This project will use new reproductive technologies to investigate the properties of the oocyte in reprogramming somatic cell nuclei, and will use the nuclei of both marsupial and eutherian somatic cells to test this. We will also use both marsupial and eutherian genes to insert into the oocyte to create the first tra ....Re-uniting marsupials and eutherians by embryonic micromanipulation. The unique responsibility for transmitting life from generation to generation normally depends on the gametes. This project will use new reproductive technologies to investigate the properties of the oocyte in reprogramming somatic cell nuclei, and will use the nuclei of both marsupial and eutherian somatic cells to test this. We will also use both marsupial and eutherian genes to insert into the oocyte to create the first transgenic marsupials. We will also investigate the ability of spermatozoa from species of increasing genetic distance to ferttilise marsupial eggs using intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).Read moreRead less
Control of cell survival by the Bcl-2 protein family. The control of apoptosis is essential for homeostasis. It is now realized that deregulation of apoptosis is a hallmark of many cancers. In apoptosis, the Bcl-2 protein family plays a central role in determining if a cell lives or dies. My proposal aim is to provide a deeper understanding of how cell death and survival is controlled by the Bcl-2 family. These studies have notable implications for understanding normal cell death control as well ....Control of cell survival by the Bcl-2 protein family. The control of apoptosis is essential for homeostasis. It is now realized that deregulation of apoptosis is a hallmark of many cancers. In apoptosis, the Bcl-2 protein family plays a central role in determining if a cell lives or dies. My proposal aim is to provide a deeper understanding of how cell death and survival is controlled by the Bcl-2 family. These studies have notable implications for understanding normal cell death control as well as aid in the development of therapeutic agents such as ones to overcome the resistance to apoptosis, found in many types of cancer.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms of cell death regulation by the Bcl-2 protein family. Through the proposed study, the expected outcome is a better understanding of the important process of how the Bcl-2 family of proteins interact with each to control cell death. Furthermore, as dysfunctional apoptosis signalling contributes to diseases such as autoimmune conditions, neurodegenerative disorders and cancer, a detailed and sound understanding of how the cell death machinery operates should enable the design of more ef ....Mechanisms of cell death regulation by the Bcl-2 protein family. Through the proposed study, the expected outcome is a better understanding of the important process of how the Bcl-2 family of proteins interact with each to control cell death. Furthermore, as dysfunctional apoptosis signalling contributes to diseases such as autoimmune conditions, neurodegenerative disorders and cancer, a detailed and sound understanding of how the cell death machinery operates should enable the design of more effective and importantly, safer therapies against these pathologies.Read moreRead less
Development of sympathetic nerve pathways. The mature nervous system contains many types of neurons connected in precise ways. Developing neurons must make many decisions about what type of neuron to become and what connections to make. This study looks at the mechanisms that guide the developing neurons in these important decisions.
Quantifying the adaptive immune response. The aim of this project is to develop mathematical models and computer software capable of predicting immune responses in infection and disease. The ability to predict immune responses should allow better vaccine design and better understanding of what causes the immune system to attack its own body, causing autoimmune disease, or fail to respond, causing immunodeficiency. The models and software will also be applicable to other areas of cell biology, ....Quantifying the adaptive immune response. The aim of this project is to develop mathematical models and computer software capable of predicting immune responses in infection and disease. The ability to predict immune responses should allow better vaccine design and better understanding of what causes the immune system to attack its own body, causing autoimmune disease, or fail to respond, causing immunodeficiency. The models and software will also be applicable to other areas of cell biology, such as describing growth and development. Thus, this project will lead to advances in understanding of fundamental biology, as well as potential improvements in treatments for a range of diseases.Read moreRead less
Regulation of DNA replication initiation during Drosophila development. This proposal addresses the fundamental issue of the regulation of DNA
replication during development, using the animal model system, Drosophila melanogaster. This research uses a whole animal genetic and cell biological approach to explore DNA replication regulatory mechanisms that are present in multicellular organisms but not in yeast. The work undertaken here will make a significant contribution to our understanding of ....Regulation of DNA replication initiation during Drosophila development. This proposal addresses the fundamental issue of the regulation of DNA
replication during development, using the animal model system, Drosophila melanogaster. This research uses a whole animal genetic and cell biological approach to explore DNA replication regulatory mechanisms that are present in multicellular organisms but not in yeast. The work undertaken here will make a significant contribution to our understanding of DNA replication regulation within a developing organism that will be relevant to all animals.Read moreRead less
EFR3: Novel gatekeeper of cell proliferation. This interdisciplinary, cross-institutional project uses leading-edge mass spectrometry and the yeast genetic model to enhance knowledge of fundamental signalling mechanisms common to cell proliferation of eukaryotic cells. Building on extensive preliminary data that identifies novel energy-stress control points, this research will generate insights into critical and conserved features of nutrient stress control of cell proliferation that ensures cel ....EFR3: Novel gatekeeper of cell proliferation. This interdisciplinary, cross-institutional project uses leading-edge mass spectrometry and the yeast genetic model to enhance knowledge of fundamental signalling mechanisms common to cell proliferation of eukaryotic cells. Building on extensive preliminary data that identifies novel energy-stress control points, this research will generate insights into critical and conserved features of nutrient stress control of cell proliferation that ensures cell survival. This project advances basic and applied biology. Its outcomes will be relevant to several research areas and industries, specifically to the propagation of cell cultures that nowadays contributes to the production of a myriad of biotechnical and pharmaceutical commodities.
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Reg growth factors in gastric regeneration and disease. This project will obtain a more detailed knowledge of the role that growth factors play in helping the lining of the stomach repair itself after damage caused by disease. Growth factors may also play a role in causing stomach cancer. To do this we will examine the expression of growth factors in number of stomach diseases and cancer and assay the ability of growth factors to promote the growth of stomach cells.
This work is that it will co ....Reg growth factors in gastric regeneration and disease. This project will obtain a more detailed knowledge of the role that growth factors play in helping the lining of the stomach repair itself after damage caused by disease. Growth factors may also play a role in causing stomach cancer. To do this we will examine the expression of growth factors in number of stomach diseases and cancer and assay the ability of growth factors to promote the growth of stomach cells.
This work is that it will contribute to our knowledge of how cell growth in the stomach is controlled under normal circumstances and in the very common pathological conditions of tissue damage, inflammation and cancer. It may also help us understand how inflammation can in some circumstances lead to cancer.Read moreRead less
Unveiling and characterisation of a fundamental pathway important in cell division. This work will have a major impact by producing top quality research that addresses a fundamental biological question of relevance to all organisms. The research will advance understanding of genetic factors important in foetal and early childhood development and proliferative disorders that occur during ageing. This work will provide intellectual and practical training to Honours and PhD students and postdoctora ....Unveiling and characterisation of a fundamental pathway important in cell division. This work will have a major impact by producing top quality research that addresses a fundamental biological question of relevance to all organisms. The research will advance understanding of genetic factors important in foetal and early childhood development and proliferative disorders that occur during ageing. This work will provide intellectual and practical training to Honours and PhD students and postdoctoral researchers in the disciplines of Molecular Genetics, Molecular & Cellular Biology, Developmental Cell Biology, Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, which will be of immense benefit to their scientific careers and the Australian scientific community.Read moreRead less