Crosstalk Between The Repressive Histone Methyltransferases PRC2 And G9A: Structure-function Investigation To Open New Therapeutic Opportunities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$595,205.00
Summary
The gene expression programs need to be precisely regulated and the misregulation of these programs can cause a broad range of human diseases. My research will focus on two protein complexes, which heavily contribute to the regulation of gene expression. My study will open a new path for developing new therapeutic strategies.
The dramatic increase in obesity and age-related metabolic disorders demonstrates the importance of gaining a better understanding of how cells and organisms regulate their energy stores. This project will identify novel molecular mechanisms that control the enzyme CaMKK2, which is a key regulator of whole-body energy metabolism. This will provide new opportunities to inform more effective strategies to tackle metabolic diseases, and improve health in an increasingly ageing population.
Glycosyltransferase Effectors Of Enteropathogenic E. Coli And Salmonella
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,891.00
Summary
This project aims to characterise the mechanisms of disease caused by bacterial pathogens including Salmonella and enteropathogenic E. coli. These pathogens cause a significant amount of diarrhoeal disease and mortality worldwide particularly in infants and in countries where water sanitation is poor. I aim to investigate the specific mechanisms the bacteria employ to manipulate and avoid our immune response during infection in order to better understand and combat diarrhoeal disease.
Targeting Novel Sites On Reverse Transcriptase For HIV Treatment And Prevention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$978,994.00
Summary
HIV/AIDS remains a major global threat with 37 million individuals living with HIV in 2014. Antiretroviral drugs have transformed HIV from a death sentence into a chronic disease. Public health organisations recommend dramatic scale up of drugs for HIV treatment and prevention. However, a major threat is that drug options will be exhausted due to drug resistance and toxicity. The major aim of this study is to undertake fundamental studies to advance the development of a new HIV drug class.
Preclinical Development Of A Therapeutic Anticancer Antibody To C-Met
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$435,530.00
Summary
Many common cancers cannot be effectively treated. A range of these cancers (e.g. gastric and lung cancer) display the molecule c-Met on their cell surface. c-Met promotes tumour growth; therefore, blocking c-Met is a promising strategy for treating these cancers. However, no antibodies or drugs that target c-Met have been licensed. The therapeutics that are being developed to target c-Met all have considerable limitations. Thus, there is an opportunity to develop a 'best-in-class' therapeutic.
Towards A New Class Of Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor For HIV Prevention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$688,833.00
Summary
There remains an urgent need for new HIV prevention strategies. New HIV drugs that block the virus by distinct ways are needed to prevent transmission of drug resistant HIV. This study seeks to identify very small molecules called “fragments” that bind to previously undiscovered pockets on the HIV reverse transcriptase to stop its function, and that can be used as building blocks to design more potent HIV drugs to be used solely for HIV prevention.
An Integrated Approach For The Efffective Adoptive Immunotherapy Of Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$468,119.00
Summary
Killer T lymphocytes can penetrate tumors and their transfer into cancer patients has demonstrated some encouraging results, but this form of immunotherapy remain ineffective in most cancer patients. We propose to improve the tumor trafficking and anti-tumor activities of killer cells by genetically engineering them with proteins that will enable them to recognise and destroy cancer cells. The outcomes of this project will validate this novel approach for treatment of cancer patients.
The development of novel oligosaccharides from dairy lactose for improved infant nutrition. This project will develop new milk sugars to enhance nutrition for the 46 per cent of infants who receive formula. It will support rural and regional dairy communities and manufacturers increasing innovation, potentially generating six million dollars in new sales per annum, increasing returns to farmers and promoting regional employment and spending.
Utilization Of Gene-engineered T Cells For Enhancing Cancer Immunotherapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$761,656.00
Summary
Killer T lymphocytes can penetrate tumours and their transfer into cancer patients has demonstrated some encouraging results, but this form of therapy and other approaches including vaccination remain ineffective in most cancer patients. In this project, we propose to improve the tumour trafficking and anti-tumour activities of killer cells by genetically engineering them with proteins that will enable them to recognise and destroy cancer cells, whilst minimizing toxicity to normal tissue.
New Strategies For Enhancing Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T Cell Therapy For Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$849,540.00
Summary
The role of the immune system in cancer is now recognised as highly important, highlighted by the success of immunotherapy in patients. Yet many patients fail to respond to this form of treatment due to low frequency of lymphocytes present at the tumor site. A new form of immunotherapy involving transfer of gene-modified lymphocytes is a potential way to overcome this problem. This project will explore new strategies to enhance the utility of this approach against blood and solid cancers.