Growth-factor Induced Signalling Pathways Involved In The Regulation Of Lens Cell Behaviour
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$253,500.00
Summary
Cataract, the loss of transparency of the eye lens, is a major cause of blindness in the world. A cure for cataract depends on a better understanding of the molecular processes in the normal and cataractous lens. Lens growth is regulated by controlled proliferation of epithelial cells and their precise localised differentiation into fibres. As disruption of this tight regulation leads to cataract, identifying the molecules that control cell proliferation and differentiation may provide insights ....Cataract, the loss of transparency of the eye lens, is a major cause of blindness in the world. A cure for cataract depends on a better understanding of the molecular processes in the normal and cataractous lens. Lens growth is regulated by controlled proliferation of epithelial cells and their precise localised differentiation into fibres. As disruption of this tight regulation leads to cataract, identifying the molecules that control cell proliferation and differentiation may provide insights into the mechanisms involved in cataract formation. Following cataract surgery, for example, a number of patients develop aftercataract which results from the response of lens cells remaining after surgery. These residual cells, unlike those tightly regulated in the normal lens, begin to divide and differentiate in an attempt to form a new lens. The main aim of this study is to understand what regulates the proliferation and differentiation of lens cells. Growth factors are key regulators of cell behaviour and our studies provide evidence that members of the FGF, PDGF and IGF growth factor families play pivotal roles in the lens by influencing cell proliferation and differentiation. Growth factors stimulate cellular processes by activating specific cell surface receptors. Once activated, these receptors switch on specific intracellular signalling pathways leading to a specific cellular response. To understand how different growth factors mediate and regulate lens cell proliferation and fibre differentiation, we plan to examine the role of FGF-, PDGF- and IGF-induced signalling in normal lens biology. To do this, we will use a well established lens explant culture system to dissect the signalling pathway(s) downstream of specific receptor activation and correlate this with a specific cellular response. By understanding the cellular processes essential for normal lens development, we can better understand how disruptions of these processes lead to cataract formation.Read moreRead less
Regulation Of Lens Cell Behaviour By RTK Antagonists, Sef And Sprouty.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$319,446.00
Summary
Cataract, the loss of transparency of the eye lens, is a major cause of world blindness. A cure for cataract depends on a better understanding of the molecular processes in the normal and cataractous lens. Lens growth is regulated by controlled proliferation of epithelial cells and their localised differentiation into fibres. As disruption to this tight regulation leads to cataract, identifying the molecules that control cell proliferation and differentiation will provide insights into the mecha ....Cataract, the loss of transparency of the eye lens, is a major cause of world blindness. A cure for cataract depends on a better understanding of the molecular processes in the normal and cataractous lens. Lens growth is regulated by controlled proliferation of epithelial cells and their localised differentiation into fibres. As disruption to this tight regulation leads to cataract, identifying the molecules that control cell proliferation and differentiation will provide insights into the mechanisms involved in cataract formation. Following cataract surgery, for example, many patients develop aftercataract which results from residual lens cells. These residual cells, unlike those tightly regulated in the normal lens, divide and differentiate to form a secondary cataract. The main aim of this study is to understand what molecules regulate the proliferation and differentiation of lens cells. Growth factors are key regulators of cell behaviour and our studies provide evidence that FGF growth factors play pivotal roles in the lens by influencing cell proliferation and differentiation. We have recently identified inhibitors of FGF in the lens, called Sprouty and Sef; molecules shown in other systems to effectively block FGF intracellular signalling pathways. To understand how Sef and Sprouty regulate lens cell proliferation and fibre differentiation, we plan to examine what regulates their expression, and more importantly their role in FGF-induced cell signalling in normal lens biology. To do this, we will use a well established explant culture system to monitor the effectiveness of these endogenous inhibitors on growth factor-induced lens cell proliferation and differentiation, as well as use transgenic mice technology to determine the role they play in situ. By understanding the molecular and cellular processes essential for normal lens development, we can better understand how disruptions of these processes lead to cataract formation.Read moreRead less
Making Human T- And B-lymphocytes For Immunotherapy And Antibody Production
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$795,880.00
Summary
Lymphocytes are white blood cells that are involved in producing antibodies, killing defective cells, or killing cells infected with viruses. In recent years, researchers have found ways to harness lymphocytes to develop medicines for treating a variety of different cancers. In this project, we will establish methods to make human lymphocytes in the laboratory from stem cells, paving the way for the broader application of this cell type to new therapies.
Electronically Conducting Nanofibres and Assemblies. With the use of new techniques that have just emerged in the last two years and are receiving rapidly growing interest throughout the world, this project will bring to Australia a new nanofabrication platform for making a variety of complex nanostructures. Fundamental researches on these complex nanostructures will greatly advance nanoscience. New nanotechnologies will be developed to address some world-wide challenging problems, e.g. energy ....Electronically Conducting Nanofibres and Assemblies. With the use of new techniques that have just emerged in the last two years and are receiving rapidly growing interest throughout the world, this project will bring to Australia a new nanofabrication platform for making a variety of complex nanostructures. Fundamental researches on these complex nanostructures will greatly advance nanoscience. New nanotechnologies will be developed to address some world-wide challenging problems, e.g. energy conversion and storage, chemical/biological sensing and other micro- and nanoelectronic devices. This project will bring both breakthrough science and frontier technologies for building and transforming Australian industries and help place Australia at the forefront of nanotechnology. Read moreRead less
The characterization and pocessing of Australian grown hemp fibres. This project will, for the first time, systematically examine the characteristics and processing behaviour of Australian grown hemp fibres. The hemp industry is an emerging new industry in rural Australia. This research will tackle a number of complex problems concerning characterization, degumming, and processing of Australian grown hemp, and will engineer the finest and softest yarns as well as industrial products from this he ....The characterization and pocessing of Australian grown hemp fibres. This project will, for the first time, systematically examine the characteristics and processing behaviour of Australian grown hemp fibres. The hemp industry is an emerging new industry in rural Australia. This research will tackle a number of complex problems concerning characterization, degumming, and processing of Australian grown hemp, and will engineer the finest and softest yarns as well as industrial products from this hemp. This will position the local hemp industry as well fibre processing industry in a very strong position to meet the growing demand world wide on this "green" fibre.Read moreRead less
Understanding the Behavior of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes in Liquids. The imminent manufacture of Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWNTs) at prices comparable to those of high-performance polymers such as Kevlar, will open up potential applications of SWNTs as high-performance fibres and coatings. A major challenge is the development of scalable processes for producing large objects made of SWNTs. This project, in collaboration with researchers at Rice and Stanford Universities, aims to unders ....Understanding the Behavior of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes in Liquids. The imminent manufacture of Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWNTs) at prices comparable to those of high-performance polymers such as Kevlar, will open up potential applications of SWNTs as high-performance fibres and coatings. A major challenge is the development of scalable processes for producing large objects made of SWNTs. This project, in collaboration with researchers at Rice and Stanford Universities, aims to understand the principles that underlie the successful liquid state processing of SWNTs. The novel strategies that arise will cement Australia's position as a leading country for research in nanotechnology, and place it at the forefront of this field, with great potential for economic advantage.Read moreRead less