Life-saving chemo/radio-therapy commonly renders women and girls who survivor cancer infertile or sterile. We have discovered a new means of preserving the fertility of female mice exposed to chemo/radio therapy. In this project we will apply these advances to human ovarian tissue/eggs for the first time. We have access to these rare tissues for research purposes. This project will develop new approaches to fertility preservation for cancer survivors.
Genes to phenotype: Exploiting the marsupial model. This research will exploit one of Australia's finest natural resources, its marsupial fauna. The features of marsupial reproduction and development provide a unique opportunity to answer fundamental biological questions. This research will show how the minor differences in key developmental genes that have arisen in their 100 million year isolation give rise to the characteristic differences in developmental timing and reproduction between mar ....Genes to phenotype: Exploiting the marsupial model. This research will exploit one of Australia's finest natural resources, its marsupial fauna. The features of marsupial reproduction and development provide a unique opportunity to answer fundamental biological questions. This research will show how the minor differences in key developmental genes that have arisen in their 100 million year isolation give rise to the characteristic differences in developmental timing and reproduction between marsupials and other mammals. The focus on reproduction and development will also provide invaluable knowledge to underpin efforts to conserve our endangered species and to control those that are overabundant.Read moreRead less
Is Calcium part of the mechanism used in glucose signalling in embryogenesis. A vital stage in the development of the embryo is formation of the blastocyst about 4 days after conception. For this to happen the embryo must receive glucose from the mother. We believe that rather being used by the embryo to generate energy, this glucose acts as a signal to switch on the developmental pathway leading to blastocyst formation. Without this signal there is no blastocyst and the pregnancy fails. The pr ....Is Calcium part of the mechanism used in glucose signalling in embryogenesis. A vital stage in the development of the embryo is formation of the blastocyst about 4 days after conception. For this to happen the embryo must receive glucose from the mother. We believe that rather being used by the embryo to generate energy, this glucose acts as a signal to switch on the developmental pathway leading to blastocyst formation. Without this signal there is no blastocyst and the pregnancy fails. The project investigates this signal mechanism. The results will advance understanding of the mechanisms regulating development and in particular link the mother's nutritive status to her fertility during very early pregnancy.Read moreRead less
The Long-term Consequences Of Assisted Reproduction On The Growth, Metabolic, Respiratory, Psychological, Immunological And Reproductive Development Of The Offspring.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,552,096.00
Summary
1 in 25 children are born from IVF treatment - incredibly- to our shame; no data exists as to the long-term health of these children. Presented is a unique opportunity, which would be exceedingly difficult to replicate elsewhere in the world, to determine the long-term consequences of IVF upon the development of the offspring, by comparing their growth, metabolic, respiratory, psychological, immunological and reproductive development to a representative sample of WA children- the Raine cohort.
Building child health through maternal wellbeing. Chronic diseases partly originate in the health & social circumstances of previous generations, during pregnancy, and in conditions during infancy and childhood. This project will draw from three community studies the researcher established to investigate how aspects of women's health affect their children's health and identify new opportunities for disease prevention.
Development Of Engineered Novel Growth Factors For Infertility Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$410,439.00
Summary
Infertility comes at an enormous social and financial cost to Australian society. The aim of this proposal is to improve the success rate of an innovative technology that matures eggs in the laboratory and so eliminates the need for the hormones normally used in IVF. To achieve this a newly discovered egg-secreted protein first has to be produced in the laboratory.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120100796
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Androgens and ovarian function. This innovative project aims to identify the role androgens play in the complex processes required for successful ovarian follicle development and ovulation. The project aims to identify androgen regulated pathways that orchestrate follicle development, which will have significance in the control of fertility and the advancement of reproductive technologies.
Compromised fertility in contemporary Indonesia. This project will benefit the community by informing service provision for infertility treatment, and by identifying the potential for prevention strategies. It will consolidate Australia's position at the forefront of research into assisted reproductive technologies, through the extension of this expertise to our near neighbours. It will contribute to the current gap in knowledge of infertility in Southeast Asia and in developing countries more b ....Compromised fertility in contemporary Indonesia. This project will benefit the community by informing service provision for infertility treatment, and by identifying the potential for prevention strategies. It will consolidate Australia's position at the forefront of research into assisted reproductive technologies, through the extension of this expertise to our near neighbours. It will contribute to the current gap in knowledge of infertility in Southeast Asia and in developing countries more broadly, and advance research on infertility conducted from human rights and anthropological perspectives. The project will reinforce the relevance of the United Nations definition of reproductive health, for all people regardless of whether they live in highly or lesser developed nations.Read moreRead less
A novel microtubule severing protein involved in male germ cell biology. The project aims to better understand the cellular and biochemical mechanisms underlying a key component of male fertility. Microtubules are a fundamental component of all cells. A mechanism that is increasingly recognised as essential for microtubules regulation is severing. It has been discovered that an uncharacterised microtubule severing protein, KATNAL2, has a key role in male germ cell development. This project aims ....A novel microtubule severing protein involved in male germ cell biology. The project aims to better understand the cellular and biochemical mechanisms underlying a key component of male fertility. Microtubules are a fundamental component of all cells. A mechanism that is increasingly recognised as essential for microtubules regulation is severing. It has been discovered that an uncharacterised microtubule severing protein, KATNAL2, has a key role in male germ cell development. This project aims to define the mechanisms underlying KATNAL2 function in the male germ line. It is expected that these data will generate a comprehensive picture of KATNAL2 function and provide foundation data of relevance across multiple species and tissues. In the longer term, it may also reveal a rational strategy for fertility enhancement or suppression.Read moreRead less
Age at first birth, mode of conception and adjustment to parenthood. The trend to delayed childbearing is well-established, multiply determined and unlikely to change in the short term. This study will provide contemporary Australian evidence on the experience of becoming a parent at different ages, naturally and through assisted conception, for Australian men and women. Both risk and protective factors for older first-time parents will be identified, thus informing policy and services that can ....Age at first birth, mode of conception and adjustment to parenthood. The trend to delayed childbearing is well-established, multiply determined and unlikely to change in the short term. This study will provide contemporary Australian evidence on the experience of becoming a parent at different ages, naturally and through assisted conception, for Australian men and women. Both risk and protective factors for older first-time parents will be identified, thus informing policy and services that can better support Australian families with planning and rearing children. A key outcome will be a Parenting Decision-Aid to provide evidence-based reader-friendly information about the positives and negatives of first-time parenthood at different ages.Read moreRead less