Molecular Control Of Interneuron Development And Function In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$527,828.00
Summary
This project will study the changes that occur in neurons, during normal brain maturation and in pathology. We hypothesise that early signs of brain malfunction can be detected in neurons before symptoms appear. The role of a gene will be studied during development and disease in a mouse model of autism, in order to identify the molecular and electrical signs of abnormal activity. This research will ultimately enable us to propose new strategies to treat symptoms of brain disease.
Gene-environment Interactions In The Aetiology Of Myopia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$671,285.00
Summary
The rapid rise in the prevalence of shortsightedness poses a major public health challenge. The Sydney Myopia Study has collected a large database on environmental risk factors, and has documented a major protective effect of children spending more time outdoors. Other studies suggest that myopia has a major genetic component. This study will collect DNA samples from over 4000 participants in the Sydney Myopia Study, and through genome-wide scanning, will look for gene-environment interactions.
Activin Control Of The Male Germline For Reproductive Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$915,786.00
Summary
The growth factor activin provides key signals in embryonic and infant testes to coordinate development of male germline cells into sperm. This project tests how activin controls genetic stability when the human testis is vulnerable to forming germline cells that become tumours in young men. We will study how activin acts to allow sperm stem cells to multiply and develop in sufficient numbers for adult fertility.
In Australia, chronic kidney disease costs >$1 billion per annum and can only be treated by dialysis or transplantation. Your kidney function depends upon what happened during your development as all the functional units of the kidney are made prior to birth from a stem cell population that then disappears. We have found a way to recreate these stem cells from adult cells. In this project, we will optimise this process and investigate whether regenerated stem cells can repair an adult kidney.
Redefining Proprioceptive Circuitry At A Molecular Level
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$564,482.00
Summary
Neurons form an extensive series of connections to relay information across the entire body. It is essential to understand how neurons know to find their way, and form the right connections, in a developing animal. This project will investigate the genes which control formation of neural circuits that are essential for correct movement.
Elucidating The Role Of MiR-196 In Formation Of The Axial Skeleton
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$520,087.00
Summary
Exquisite regulation of gene expression is a fundamental principle underlying growth and development of an embryo as well as homeostasis in the adult. Following the identification of hundreds of microRNAs within the genome which act to modulate gene expression, the challenge and the goal of these studies, is to identify individual microRNAs which contribute significantly to bone formation in the developing embryo.
Mechanisms Underpinning The Epigenetic Code And The Role Of Histone Variants
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$562,815.00
Summary
A fundamental unanswered question in biology is how a single fertilized mammalian cell can differentiate into a multicellular organism when every differentiated cell type inherits the same DNA. Fundamental to this development process is that different sets of genes are expressed in different cell types. This investigation will show that a key mechanism to regulate gene expression is the way our DNA is covered with specifically modified and altered forms of histone proteins.
In Vivo Analysis Of The Molecular And Neural Mechanism That Underly An Association Of MiRNAs With Mental Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$593,778.00
Summary
Genetic studies on autism, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression suggest that these disorders affect the formation and maintenance of connections between neurons. A group of brain-specific microRNAs, which are regulatory molecules, are predicted to regulate connectivity. Levels of these molecules are found to be abnormal in brains of patients with schizophrenia. This proposal aims to elucidate the function of these microRNAs in the number of neuronal connections, and early motor b ....Genetic studies on autism, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression suggest that these disorders affect the formation and maintenance of connections between neurons. A group of brain-specific microRNAs, which are regulatory molecules, are predicted to regulate connectivity. Levels of these molecules are found to be abnormal in brains of patients with schizophrenia. This proposal aims to elucidate the function of these microRNAs in the number of neuronal connections, and early motor behavior in transgenic zebrafish.Read moreRead less
Regulation Of Haematopoietic Stem Cells Through Histone Modifications
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$797,014.00
Summary
The genetic material is packaged in the cell nucleus with histone proteins. Modifications of histones determine if a particular area of the genome is active or repressed. We are investigating a family of histone modifying proteins, the MYST proteins. Mutations in these proteins cause intellectual disability and blood cancer. In this project we examine the role of MYST2 in blood stem cells. Knowledge gained may become the basis for the development of drugs for the treatment of cancer.
Molecular And Functional Characterisation Of Induced Multipotent Stem Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$694,428.00
Summary
We have developed a new method to convert fat and other cell types into stem cells that can repair damaged tissues. We call these cells, induced multipotent stem cells or iMS cells. In this project we will identify the molecular changes that occur in a mature cell as it converts into a stem cell and the extent to which iMS contribute to different tissue types. These investigations will lay the foundation for human clinical trials using iMS cells.