Identification Of Factors Critical For Maintenance Of The Epidermal Barrier
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$616,950.00
Summary
The human skin plays a crucial role in the body’s defence against our hostile environment. The outer most layer of the skin, the epidermis is the key structural component of the skin barrier and is essential for its integrity. We have identified a family of genes that are pivotal for epidermal barrier formation, maintenance and repair. This project examines the mechanisms that underpin the function of this family, and has broad ramifications in a host of dermatological conditions.
From Pathogenesis To Therapeutics: Targeting Two Signalling Pathways As A Therapeutic Strategy To Treat Preeclampsia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$499,048.00
Summary
Preeclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy that claims the lives of thousands of mothers and babies each year. There is no efficacious medical treatment besides delivery of the baby and placenta. Our lack of therapeutics is largely a result of our poor understanding of the disease. In this application we plan to thoroughly characterise two pathways we believe responsible for preeclampsia, effectively identifying many points at which new therapies could be targeted.
Biology Of EGFR Mutations In Glioblastoma Multiforme
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$287,445.00
Summary
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a protein that has a critical role in the development of normal cells. In glioma, the most lethal of the brain cancers, the EGFR is altered. These alterations result in uncontrolled activation of the EGFR, causing signals that promote the growth and survival of brain cancer. This grant seeks to understand the nature of the signals mediated by the altered EGFR, in turn helping us develop better therapeutics for the treatment of this deadly cancer.
Signalling Networks As Targets For Antibody Therapy In Glioma.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$526,683.00
Summary
Antibodies are a major component of the bodies immune system that bind (i.e. stick) to foreign substances such as viruses. Once bound, these antibodies can activate other parts of the immune system, which help destroy the foreign substance. Analogous to the situation above, a number of institutions are testing antibodies that bind to cancer cells, in order to determine if they are able to destroy these cells. It is also possible to generate antibodies that bind to receptors on the surface of can ....Antibodies are a major component of the bodies immune system that bind (i.e. stick) to foreign substances such as viruses. Once bound, these antibodies can activate other parts of the immune system, which help destroy the foreign substance. Analogous to the situation above, a number of institutions are testing antibodies that bind to cancer cells, in order to determine if they are able to destroy these cells. It is also possible to generate antibodies that bind to receptors on the surface of cancer cells and block their function. If you target a receptor critical to the growth or survival of a cancer cell in this way, then swtiching-off this signal may inhibit tumor growth. In this proposal we plan to test a panel antibodies that recognize receptors important to the growth of brain cancer. Two of these antibodies have been generated and the other two will be made as part of this proposal. A key aspect of this proposal will be testing these antibodies in combination to determine how many receptors need to be targeted in order to get complete tumor regressions in animal models. Overall this work will help us identify new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of brain cancer. Finally, we will also analyze the way different receptors interact together in brain cancer cells.Read moreRead less
The Molecular Determinants Of Immunological Tolerance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$473,477.00
Summary
Autoimmune diseases, such as type I diabetes and multiple sclerosis, are debilitating disorders that impose a massive toll on wellbeing in Australia and worldwide. This fellowship will support research aimed at determining the genes and mechanisms that control autoimmunity. New technologies will be brought to bear to track immune cells throughout their development, maturity and malfunction in disease settings. We aim to uncover new therapeutic targets to prevent and reverse autoimmune disease.
Methylation Sensitive Genes And The Transition To Allergic Disease: A Twin Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$493,843.00
Summary
Australia has amongst the highest reported prevalence allergic conditions (including asthma) in the world. Despite this, little is known about how these conditions arise. Mounting evidence implicates environmentally induced disruption of the genetic blueprint via a process known as epigenetics. We are combining the strengths of a unique collection of identical twins where one of a pair is sensitive to house dust mite, with cutting edge genomics, to characterise the pathways leading to allergy in ....Australia has amongst the highest reported prevalence allergic conditions (including asthma) in the world. Despite this, little is known about how these conditions arise. Mounting evidence implicates environmentally induced disruption of the genetic blueprint via a process known as epigenetics. We are combining the strengths of a unique collection of identical twins where one of a pair is sensitive to house dust mite, with cutting edge genomics, to characterise the pathways leading to allergy in children.Read moreRead less
Characterization Of HOXA-expressing Human Haematopoietic Cells Generated From Embryonic Stem Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$622,464.00
Summary
Blood stem cell transplants are used for treating a range of human blood disorders such as leukaemias. However, for many patients, suitable donors cannot be found. We are searching for ways in which embryonic stem cells can be turned into blood stem cells in the laboratory to provide a new source of these cells that could then be used to treat patients.
Transcriptional Regulation Of Definitive Hematopoietic Development In Humans
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$800,036.00
Summary
Blood stem cell transplantation is a vital therapy for patients with leukaemia following chemotherapy or for patients with bone marrow failure. Because many patients lack a donor, there is a need for an alternate source of stem cells, such as human pluripotent stem cells. During development, blood cells are formed from the blood vessel wall, or endothelium. In this project, we will study the regulation of this process in order to more efficiently make human blood cells in the laboratory.
A Suite Of Engineered Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Lines To Facilitate The Generation Of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$881,221.00
Summary
Our goal is to develop tools that address major bottlenecks that have prevented the generation of blood forming stem cells in culture for therapeutic use. We will generate human embryonic stem cell reporter lines that can be used to monitor key milestones in blood stem cell development. These lines will serve as tools to identify growth conditions to improve the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells to functional blood stem cells.