Actin filaments are part of a dynamic network of protein fibres inside each cell and play a role in cell shape, movement and division. Cancer cells hijack specific types of actin filaments to spread throughout the body. Our aim is to find out how protein machines assemble these filaments from actin and different binding proteins that give each filament its specific function. This insight will allow us to improve drugs that inhibit filaments associated with cancer.
Design And Delivery Of Peptide-based Anti-cancer Grb7 Inhibitors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$603,126.00
Summary
The Grb7 protein is overproduced in many types of cancer cells and plays a role in cancer cell growth and spread. The current proposal builds upon the discovery of a peptide-based Grb7 inhibitor that has anti-cancer activity. This proposal is to prepare more potent inhibitor molecules that can efficiently reach the target cancer cells. Such molecules will be used for the study of Grb7 and for the development of a new Grb7-based anti-cancer drug therapy.
Multidrug Recognition And Resistance In Staphylococcus Aureus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$598,978.00
Summary
Strains of Staphylococcus aureus (Golden Staph), resistant to almost all available anti-staphylococcal agents, are responsible for serious infections among patients; in some hospitals such outbreaks reach epidemic proportions. Resistance has emerged to all classes of antimicrobial agents. We will increase our understanding of proteins that confer resistance by pumping multiple antimicrobials out of the cell to ultimately design more effective antibacterials able to bypass such drug pumps.
Taking The First Steps From Promise To Product: Exploration Of The Newly Discovered Interleukin 37 Receptor Complex And Its Signaling Pathways
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$694,623.00
Summary
Cytokines are messenger proteins used by most cells of the body. They function as master regulators of many biological processes and as such play an important role in a wide spectrum of diseases. Anti-inflammatory cytokines attenuate the potentially destructive force of other cytokines and the immune system as a whole, and are therefore coveted as drug targets. We discovered the formidable anti-inflammatory properties of IL-37 and will now explore how these activites can be utilised in clinical ....Cytokines are messenger proteins used by most cells of the body. They function as master regulators of many biological processes and as such play an important role in a wide spectrum of diseases. Anti-inflammatory cytokines attenuate the potentially destructive force of other cytokines and the immune system as a whole, and are therefore coveted as drug targets. We discovered the formidable anti-inflammatory properties of IL-37 and will now explore how these activites can be utilised in clinical medicine.Read moreRead less
Functional Roles Of The Tegument Proteins Of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$461,597.00
Summary
The occurrence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) in the general population is very high (up to 60%). HSV enters the human body via the skin before entering nerve cells where it lies dormant in most people. Intermittently the virus reactivates and usually forms blisters at the skin when it sheds. The aim of this project is to define a molecular interaction network at the protein level during the course of infection of a host cell. This information will provide new targets for design of antivirals.
Characterising The Novel Signalling Mechanism For A New Interferon
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$525,485.00
Summary
We have discovered a new regulatory protein called interferon epsilon, made in the female reproductive tract and is crucial for protection against bacterial( Chlamydia) and viral (Herpes Simplex Virus) infections. However, we are yet to understand how it interacts with target cells. This grant will study how IFN? binds to cells and the nature of the signals it transmits. This will help us understand its role in disease and its clinical potential
Phenotypic Characterization Of Chloroquine Resistance In Plasmodia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$585,473.00
Summary
In the Asia-Pacific region, vivax malaria is becoming the dominant species of infection. The emergence and spread of chloroquine resistant strains of P. vivax threatens malaria control and elimination efforts. This project aims to elucidate fundamental aspects of chloroquine resistance in non-falciparum malaria and identify novel therapeutic options. We will develop novel tests that will help national malaria control programs to monitor declining activity of standard anti-malarial drugs.
Epigenetic Regulation Of Self Renewal And Lineage Commitment In Haematopoiesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,104,930.00
Summary
The process by which all our mature blood cells are produced and sustained remains largely unknown. Underpinning the cell fate decisions made through blood cell development is the tightly regulated expression of key genes and proteins that subsequently direct the process of blood cell differentiation. This project will aim study and uncover the molecular mechanisms that coordinate the key gene expression programs that lead to normal blood cell development.
Activation And Inhibition Of The Plasminogen/Plasmin System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$800,663.00
Summary
Plasmin is crucial enzyme present in blood plasma that functions in clot dissolution, inflammation, tissue remodeling, and wound healing. We aim to study how this enzyme system is controlled, by studying its interaction with receptors, co-factors and inhibitors. The information we gain will help drive the development of new generation therapeutics for the fine control of plasmin function in clotting disease, bleeding and inflammation.
Discovery And Characterisation Of Novel Tick Evasins As Inhibitors Of Chemokine-mediated Inflammation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$654,847.00
Summary
An important aspect of inflammatory diseases is the migration of white blood cells into the affected tissues. This is controlled by a group of proteins called chemokines. Ticks, which live on mammalian hosts, produce proteins called evasins, which interact with host chemokines and thereby prevent inflammatory responses. This project will discover new tick evasins, study their chemokine interactions and investigate their ability to block inflammation in allergic asthma.