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.
Molecular Regulation Of Pluripotency In The Mammalian Germline
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$611,935.00
Summary
Germ cells generate sperm in males or oocytes in females. In males, germ cell numbers are tightly controlled in the embryo, with too few germ cells causing infertility, and unrestrained germ cell numbers leading to testicular cancer. We have discovered a molecular mechanism that regulates germ cells in the embryo, and propose to study in mice how this regulation is accomplished and the consequences of defective regulation, in order to learn more about how infertility and testis cancer arise.
The Role Of Necroptosis In Development, The Immune System And Autoimmune Pathology
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$454,105.00
Summary
Programmed cell death plays critical roles in development and cell-turnover in the adult. Defects in this process can cause cancer or autoimmune diseases. We will use genetic and biochemical approaches to define the individual roles of necroptosis, a newly described cell death process, and those overlapping with apoptosis in normal development and cell-turnover as well as in cancer and autoimmune diseases. The objective of this work is to identify potential targets for therapeutic intervention i ....Programmed cell death plays critical roles in development and cell-turnover in the adult. Defects in this process can cause cancer or autoimmune diseases. We will use genetic and biochemical approaches to define the individual roles of necroptosis, a newly described cell death process, and those overlapping with apoptosis in normal development and cell-turnover as well as in cancer and autoimmune diseases. The objective of this work is to identify potential targets for therapeutic intervention in cancer or immunopathology.Read moreRead less
Cancers arise as a result of the impairment of critical cellular processes following the mutation of important regulatory genes. I am a molecular biologist and I study how the proteins of the Bcl-2 family regulate apoptosis, a process of cell death essential to maintain homeostasis in multicellular organisms, with the aim of designing drugs to kill cancer cells selectively. I am also interested in discovering new genes involved in the development of cancer using new genomics technology.
Role Of Snail Family Proteins In Male Fertility And Testicular Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$586,076.00
Summary
Male fertility requires production of healthy sperm in the testis. This project builds on our discoveries that testicular cells regulate gene activity via the Snail family of proteins during sperm development, and that interruption of their activities reduces fertility in mice and fruitflies. Snail proteins are also active in cancer cells. We propose to study the precise steps in sperm production affected by Snail proteins and how they affect the progression of testicular cancer.
Slowing Progression Of Alzheimer’s Disease By Modulating The Kynurenine Pathway
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$578,460.00
Summary
Chronic inflammation in the brain in known to be a factor in the progression of Alzheimer's disease. We are exploring if blocking a particular enzyme in a biochemical pathway involved in inflammation, can improve symptoms, or slow progression, of the disease in animal models of AD. If results are as expected, our proposal has the potential to generate a new a therapy for AD.
Examining An Extracellular Matrix Regulator Required For Cardiovascular Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$732,600.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the highest cause of death in Australia. Specific genes are required for correct assembly and function of the heart and vessels but disease will result if those genes are defective. To diagnose and treat CVD, we must first understand how these genes function. This project will investigate mouse models with genetic defects resulting in CVD. It will determine how and why the diseases occur and investigate a potential therapeutic option for intervention in CVD.