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Treating and preventing painful fractures could be improved by strengthening cortical bone – the hard outer shell of all bones in the skeleton. We don’t know how cortical bone forms, but if we did, we could improve its strength. We have found that a brain-like network of cells inside the skeleton, called osteocytes, use a specific signal, called SOCS3, to make strong cortical bone. This study will find out how SOCS3 works and find new ways to make cortical bone strong and healthy.
Location, Location, Location: Sub-cellular Specific Targeting Of JNK As A Novel Therapy In Breast Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$633,755.00
Summary
The ‘triple negative’ breast cancer subtype is the most aggressive form of breast cancer, and unlike other subtypes, there are no drugs to specifically this subtype. While many potential drug targets have been identified, they cannot be utilised clinically because of other beneficial roles within the body. We are now deploying our innovative experimental platforms to specifically target the tumour promoting functions of a protein known as ‘JNK’, whilst retaining its beneficial functions.
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.
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
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.
Unravelling Mechanotransduction Pathways In The Heart
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$949,956.00
Summary
This project addresses the still unresolved question of involvement of mechanosensitive ion channels in heart hypertrophy and arrhythmias including ventricular arrhythmias. These pathological conditions are a cause of a broadening fiscal healthcare burden in Western societies. Consequently, investigating the role of this class of ion channels in heart disease presents a priority for medical science and a great opportunity to improve the health outcomes for the Australian people.
Investigation Of Lipid-protein Interactions Of Mechanosensitive Ion Channels
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$409,785.00
Summary
Living organisms are imminently exposed to mechanical stimuli such as gravity, touch or sound. Sensing mechanical stimuli is therefore crucial for survival. One biological tool for sensing mechanical stress are the mechanosensitive ion channels that open in response to tension in cell membranes. We will study the interactions and coupling between membrane lipids and mechanosensitive ion channels. These interactions are essential for the function of these fascinating sensory biological molecules.
Consequences Of Waveform Composition For Epithelial Integrity And Homogeneous Ventilation During HFOV
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$409,483.00
Summary
High-frequency oscillation (HFO) delivers up to 900 breaths/minute to newborn babies. In theory, the tiny HFO breaths decrease ventilator induced lung injury whilst efficiently delivering oxygen to and removing waste gas from the blood. However, HFO may damage the large airways due to the high gas flows. We will use mathematical models and studies in preterm lambs to assess how to optimise distribution of fresh gas to the lung while minimising any airway damage. Our findings will help doctors tr ....High-frequency oscillation (HFO) delivers up to 900 breaths/minute to newborn babies. In theory, the tiny HFO breaths decrease ventilator induced lung injury whilst efficiently delivering oxygen to and removing waste gas from the blood. However, HFO may damage the large airways due to the high gas flows. We will use mathematical models and studies in preterm lambs to assess how to optimise distribution of fresh gas to the lung while minimising any airway damage. Our findings will help doctors treat preterm babies with lung disease.Read moreRead less