Defective Cell Migration As A Mechanism Of Dysregulated Asthmatic Airway Repair
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$616,712.00
Summary
Injury of the airway epithelium (cells lining the airways) is normally repaired by a process involving the deposition of specific proteins by the airway epithelial cells, promoting them to attach and migrate to cover the injury. These cells appear to be abnormal in asthmatics, in that they fail to repair. By studying specimens from healthy, allergic and asthmatic children we will determine the factors that influence the ability of these cells to repond to an injury in a normal manner specificall ....Injury of the airway epithelium (cells lining the airways) is normally repaired by a process involving the deposition of specific proteins by the airway epithelial cells, promoting them to attach and migrate to cover the injury. These cells appear to be abnormal in asthmatics, in that they fail to repair. By studying specimens from healthy, allergic and asthmatic children we will determine the factors that influence the ability of these cells to repond to an injury in a normal manner specifically through their ability to migrate.Read moreRead less
Bridging The Gap Between Cartilage Biology And Osteoarthritis Risk Prediction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$512,256.00
Summary
Osteoarthritis is a painful and debilitating cartilage disease affecting just under 1 in 10 Australians and costs the Australian economy roughly $12 billion per year. This project will develop computational models of cartilage with the ability to incorporate genetic and environmental risk factors into a predictive model of cartilage disease.
The Role Of Force-sensing Ion Channels In Melanoma Migration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$553,848.00
Summary
Metastasis of melanoma cells away from the primary tumour site carries a very poor patient prognosis.This research aims to characterise a novel signalling pathway that can regulate the migration (movement) of melanoma cells. This signalling pathway depends on force-sensing platforms that can rapidly convert physical inputs from the environment into an electrical signal within the cell. We are working to understand how these force-sensors function.
Evaluation Of Tissue Engineered Decellularised Biphasic Constructs For Periodontal Regeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$578,031.00
Summary
This project aims to regenerate the tissues lost as a result of gum disease. This will be done using scaffolds that replicate the complex structure of periodontal tissues.The scaffolds will be loaded with cells and allowed to mature before the cellular component is removed. The resultant construct is then inserted back into periodontal defects where it will be repopulated by host cells. This approach has the potential to be developed into an off-the-shelf clinical treatment.
Improving Cancer Diagnostic Imaging And Drug Delivery By Breaking Down Extracellular Matrix Barriers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$748,152.00
Summary
Solid tumours are stiffer than normal tissues. This stiffness is caused by over-production of non-cellular components known as extracellular matrix (ECM). ECM creates a barrier that restricts drug access in tumours. New methods to overcome tumour stiffness are crucial to improve drug delivery. We will study the use of a new compound to degrade tumour ECM to improve anti-cancer drug delivery. Our compound will be useful in treatment-resistant solid tumours such as breast and liver cancers.
Glycomic Control Of Cartilage Extra Cellular Matrix Turnover
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$706,289.00
Summary
Small, naturally occurring glycomic molecules control cartilage matrix turnover. We have synthesised small synthetic analogues of the naturally occurring molecules, and demonstrated their ability to regulate signalling pathways. This project will test and mathematical model the synthetic molecules in cell and tissue assays to define their properties and tissue effects, and assess their suitability as a drug delivery system. The results will be an important step towards designing new ways of trea ....Small, naturally occurring glycomic molecules control cartilage matrix turnover. We have synthesised small synthetic analogues of the naturally occurring molecules, and demonstrated their ability to regulate signalling pathways. This project will test and mathematical model the synthetic molecules in cell and tissue assays to define their properties and tissue effects, and assess their suitability as a drug delivery system. The results will be an important step towards designing new ways of treating osteoarthritis and other cartilage diseases.Read moreRead less
The cells that produce and maintain our cartilage, known as chondrocytes, do so by sensing changes in the mechanical environment, but precisely how chondrocytes detect these changes is not known. We are investigating the role of ion channels that are opened in direct response to mechanical movements within the cartilage.This project plans to identify the specific molecules that are participating in this process and to determine if they are therapeutic targets for treatment of osteoarthritis
Modulating Inflammatory And Fibrogenic Pathways In Kidney Disease Using A Novel Antagonist Of Protease-Activated-Receptor-2
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$581,116.00
Summary
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) now affects 10% of adults in industrialised countries. Current treatments are largely ineffective. Thus developing better CKD treatments will have substantial public health benefit. Three well established and clinically relevant animal models of kidney disease will be used to test the ability of a new experimental anti-inflammatory drug, developed by members of this research team at The University of Queensland, to prevent or lessen the progression of CKD.
Using Mechanotransduction To Regulate Stem Cell Fate In Heart Tissue
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$385,983.00
Summary
Emerging new interdisciplinary field, mechanotransduction, combines efforts from biology, engineering, and material science to understand how cells sense/feel their surroundings mechanically e.g. soft vs. stiff and transfer these signals to biochemical signalling to initiate cellular changes. This project aims to develop high-throughput hydrogel platform with stiffness patterns to study cellular mechanosensing mechanism and to generate better heart muscle cells for heart stem cell therapy.
Obesity increases the risk of developing diseases such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes, however not all obese people develop such diseases. Obese subjects with small fat cells are typically healthier than those with fewer, large fat cells. The applicants have identified a novel pathway that promotes the generation of new fat cells. This project will increase understanding of this pathway and may, ultimately, lead to new therapies that manipulate fat cell number and reduce obesity related di ....Obesity increases the risk of developing diseases such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes, however not all obese people develop such diseases. Obese subjects with small fat cells are typically healthier than those with fewer, large fat cells. The applicants have identified a novel pathway that promotes the generation of new fat cells. This project will increase understanding of this pathway and may, ultimately, lead to new therapies that manipulate fat cell number and reduce obesity related disease.Read moreRead less