A Tyrosine Phosphatase That Regulates Adherens Junctions, Cell Migration And The Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$496,500.00
Summary
Cell-cell adhesion which physically glues cells together to form tissues and organs, also controls processes in development, wound healing and cancer progression. I have identified a novel regulator of cell-cell adhesion that regulates cell migration and cell morphology. Since these events are crucial during metastasis (the spread of cancer) and during wound healing, understanding the function of this novel regulator may provide the basis for new approaches to developing therapeutics. Specifical ....Cell-cell adhesion which physically glues cells together to form tissues and organs, also controls processes in development, wound healing and cancer progression. I have identified a novel regulator of cell-cell adhesion that regulates cell migration and cell morphology. Since these events are crucial during metastasis (the spread of cancer) and during wound healing, understanding the function of this novel regulator may provide the basis for new approaches to developing therapeutics. Specifically, in this proposal I aim to further our understanding of the function of this novel regulator in normal physiology and to elucidate how its functions are regulated.Read moreRead less
OVARIAN CANCER METASTASIS: Unraveling The Biology Of The Plasminogen Activation Cascade
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$169,875.00
Summary
Ovarian cancer affects 1,200 new Australians every year. Compared to breast cancer where research education and early screening have improved mortality rates, the incidence of ovarian cancer has not improved and death rates have more than doubled since 1930. With few overt symptoms, ovarian cancer has an extremely poor prognosis - a staggering 71% of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer will die from the disease, compared to 21% for breast cancer. Any studies which increase our understanding of t ....Ovarian cancer affects 1,200 new Australians every year. Compared to breast cancer where research education and early screening have improved mortality rates, the incidence of ovarian cancer has not improved and death rates have more than doubled since 1930. With few overt symptoms, ovarian cancer has an extremely poor prognosis - a staggering 71% of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer will die from the disease, compared to 21% for breast cancer. Any studies which increase our understanding of the biology of ovarian cancer metastasis may lead to new therapies designed to control these processes - as such this would be a major inroad into our fight against this cancer. The aim of this novel research project is to unravel the role that one cell surface system (the plasminogen (Plg) activation cascade) plays in determining the ability of ovarian cancer cells to metastasise and regulate new tumour blood vessel formation. This study addresses the paradoxical observations that this cascade can simultaneously facilitate cancer metastasis whilst concomitantly stopping new blood vessel formation in tumours. Using a number of advanced molecular cell biology methods, the hypothesis we will test is that the capacity of ovarian cancer to metastasise is determined by differential processing of plasminogen subsequent to cell-surface Plg binding. This results in a delicate balance between the generation of cell surface proteases and the release of protein fragments capable of stopping tumour blood vessel growth. Our group is well-equipped to address this hypothesis since we have already shown that: (1) Plg binding and activation is required for cancer cell invasion; (2) Plg binding and activation is elevated on malignant compared to benign cancers (3) Plg unfolds after it binds to cell surfaces or recombinant receptors; and, (4) Plg is easily fragmented to products that inhibit new blood vessel formation after binding to some cancer cells.Read moreRead less
A Study To Pilot A Clinical Trial To Test Dignity Psychotherapy For The Frail Aged
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$25,000.00
Summary
One of the greatest challenges today is to preserve the dignity of the frail elderly. Our study will test and perfect a strategy to trial a new approach for this population, Dignity Psychotherapy. The approach will document aspects of the senior's life that they regard as meaningful, want remembered, or of which they are proud. Among the terminally ill, the approach has had positive outcomes. Benefits for elders may include that the approach forms a foundation for holistic care.
Condition And Its Assessment In The Southern Rock Lobster. Field Application Of The Techniques For Condition Assessment Developed In The Laboratory
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$249,591.00
Summary
Objectives: 1. Obtain an understanding of variations in growth and recruitment through the establishment of the potential of selected indices to characterise temporal and spatial changes in condition of lobsters within the fishery.
A Phase III Trial Comparing Adjuvant Versus Salvage Radiotherapy For High Risk Patients Post Radical Prostatectomy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$819,138.00
Summary
About half of all patients Treated with an operation to remove their prostate cancer have a high chance of the cancer coming back. Giving immediate radiotherapy to all patients will improve cure rates but does not benefit all men and can cause significant side effects. This study explores whether it is safe to wait and only give radiotherapy when there is a rising PSA after surgery indicating active cancer. A total of 470 men from Australasia will enter this study comparing the two approaches.