We want to understand more about the control of blood cell formation and the development of leukaemia. We have discovered one gene that is very important in both these processes. It is the most common genetic abnormality involved in causing human T-cell leukaemia and we have recently shown that it is absolutely required for the development of all blood cells within an animal. We wish to take these observations further so that we can ultimately understand how a gene important in blood cell format ....We want to understand more about the control of blood cell formation and the development of leukaemia. We have discovered one gene that is very important in both these processes. It is the most common genetic abnormality involved in causing human T-cell leukaemia and we have recently shown that it is absolutely required for the development of all blood cells within an animal. We wish to take these observations further so that we can ultimately understand how a gene important in blood cell formation can also be important in causing leukaemia. To address this we will generate new models of blood cell development.Read moreRead less
Regulation Of Red Blood Cell And Platelet Formation By BHLH Proteins
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$422,600.00
Summary
Continuous production of normal blood cells by the bone marrow is a process critical to human life. Disruption of this process leads to diseases such as leukemia, aplastic anemia and myelodysplasia which have devastating consequences for affected patients. Pivotal to understanding these diseases is a knowledge of the regulation of normal blood production. Our laboratory works on a gene known as SCL that is critical for blood formation. We have recently shown that loss of SCL in adult bone marrow ....Continuous production of normal blood cells by the bone marrow is a process critical to human life. Disruption of this process leads to diseases such as leukemia, aplastic anemia and myelodysplasia which have devastating consequences for affected patients. Pivotal to understanding these diseases is a knowledge of the regulation of normal blood production. Our laboratory works on a gene known as SCL that is critical for blood formation. We have recently shown that loss of SCL in adult bone marrow leads to abnormalities in two types of blood cells, the red blood cells and the platelets. This grant will extend this important observation to understand how the production of these cells is altered and what is its consequence. Our studies will help clarify the basis of blood cell formation and may impact on how we diagnose and treat a wide variety of blood disorders.Read moreRead less