Building An Intestine: Manipulating Regeneration Of The Epithelium
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$609,424.00
Summary
Diseases, infections and pathologies are common clinical problems of the intestinal lining in both infants and adults. Individuals with these conditions can experience nutritional problems and severe cases result in death. The intestinal lining is generated from a small population of stem cells. In this study we use of a mouse model where the stem cells are marked and will examine what factors regulate stem cells in the intestine with the aim of facilitating intestinal tissue regeneration.
P53 And Hepatocyte Proliferation In Chronic Liver Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$331,360.00
Summary
The aim of this project is understand how loss of control of p53, a tumour suppressor gene, in liver cells causes the transformation of normal liver cell (hepatocyte) to ‘rouge’ pre-cancerous cells in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or primary liver cancer. We will test novel therapies to restore p53 function in liver cells in order to prevent or retard the development of HCC in patients with cirrhosis and those ‘at risk’ of this rapidly increasing fatal cancer in Australia.
When Prometheus Needs A Hand – How Human Amnion Epithelial Cells Resolve Fibrosis And Regenerate The Liver
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$530,653.00
Summary
Cirrhosis can progress to end stage disease for which transplantation provides the only hope for survival. Liver donors in Australia are scarce; the need for donor organs is increasing. Using stem cells to repair and regenerate damaged liver may provide an alternative to organ transplantation. We are studying placental stem cells that can decrease inflammation and increase progenitor cells to repair and regenerate liver. Our goal is to use these stem cells as treatment for human liver disease
Mechanisms Of Hepatic Fibrogenesis In Chronic Liver Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$697,209.00
Summary
Despite advances made in understanding the mechanisms of liver injury, chronic liver disease continues to be one of the most rapidly growing causes of death in subjects aged <65 years. This is the result of uncontrolled wound healing and regeneration leading ultimately to cirrhosis and liver cancer. This research will identify and characterise pathways that control the wound healing response to liver injury, involving the processes of inflammation, scarring and restitution of normal liver mas ....Despite advances made in understanding the mechanisms of liver injury, chronic liver disease continues to be one of the most rapidly growing causes of death in subjects aged <65 years. This is the result of uncontrolled wound healing and regeneration leading ultimately to cirrhosis and liver cancer. This research will identify and characterise pathways that control the wound healing response to liver injury, involving the processes of inflammation, scarring and restitution of normal liver mass.Read moreRead less
A Novel Mechanism For Intestinal Propulsion: Transit Without Neurons Or Pacemakers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$256,973.00
Summary
A significant complication of premature births is that the mechanisms that regulate normal intestinal movements have not yet fully developed. We have recently identified a novel pattern of contraction that is seen predominantly in the colon of mice that have not yet developed either the normal nerve circuits that control gut movement and also lack the pacemaker cells that are intrinsic to the muscle coat. This motor pattern appears to be responsible for the movement of gut content during the dev ....A significant complication of premature births is that the mechanisms that regulate normal intestinal movements have not yet fully developed. We have recently identified a novel pattern of contraction that is seen predominantly in the colon of mice that have not yet developed either the normal nerve circuits that control gut movement and also lack the pacemaker cells that are intrinsic to the muscle coat. This motor pattern appears to be responsible for the movement of gut content during the development and maturation of the nerve circuits that regulate this process in more adult animals. However, the mechanisms responsible for this process have not been identified. This project is directed at identifying these mechanismsRead moreRead less
Liver damage after liver surgery or shock is called ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). Recovery after surgical removal of liver tissue is due to liver regeneration. IRI and liver regeneration are controlled by specialised proteins called cytokines, one of which, TRAIL, is essential for both IRI and liver regeneration. This research is to find out how TRAIL exerts such seemingly opposite effects. The aim is to learn how to protect the liver against damage, and to stimulate its recovery.