A Novel Strategy For The Treatment Of Chronic Skeletal Joint Defects
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Skeletal joint injuries often heal poorly with current treatment approaches and lead to the onset of osteoarthritis. This project will produce a synthetic graft with unique properties to mimic the complex structure of joint tissues, and high bioactivity to induce optimal healing of the joint. This graft will constitute a viable alternative for the treatment of skeletal joint defects, resulting in significant healthcare benefits and improved long-term outcomes.
There is an urgent need for engineered tissue repair and replacement components for cartilage implantation in damaged joints due to a shortage of donor tissue. This project will generate smart composite biomaterials with enhanced mechanical strength and physical properties that are desirable for cartilage repair. The fabricated scaffolds will mimic the microstructure of native cartilage and are next-generation biomaterials designed to facilitate cartilage regeneration.
Examining The Importance Of DNA Damage Repair For Oocyte Quality, Female Fertility And Offspring Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
As women age, the quality of their eggs decline and their chance of having a healthy baby plummets. The accumulation of DNA damage within the egg, and the reduced ability to repair this damage, may be one cause of compromised reproductive success in older women. This project will investigate the ability of eggs to repair DNA damage during maternal aging and will explore the importance of DNA repair to fertility and the transmission of high quality genetic material to their offspring.
Obesity, Insulin Resistance And Hepatocarcinogenesis: Metabolic Mediators And Molecular Mechanisms
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$199,485.00
Summary
Liver cancer (or hepatocellular carcinoma, HCC) is the 3rd most common cause of cancer death, with the incidence in Australia increasing. Recently, it has been shown that obesity, diabetes and fatty liver disease can lead to HCC; this project will explore how metabolic diseases promote HCC. The role of insulin and fatty acids in promoting DNA damage and cell growth will be examined. Understanding how metabolic disease increases HCC risk will improve prevention strategies and possible treatments.
TARGETING THE CHK1-STAT3-CIP2A AXIS TO TREAT GLIOBLASTOMA (GBM)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$321,048.00
Summary
Glioblastoma (GBM is a high-grade brain tumour for which current treatments are inadequate. Tumour recurrence is almost inevitable and average life expectancy is measured in months. We have identified a DNA-damage signalling pathway and demonstrated that perturbation of the pathway significantly reduces tumour growth. We plan to target key proteins of the recently identified pathway and validate these findings using tumour cells directly from GBM patients and relevant animal models of human GBM.
Using Astrocytes To Protect The Brain From Injury: Investigating Mechanisms And Therapeutic Strategies.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$374,310.00
Summary
Brain damage caused by hypoxia (lack of oxygen) is a common problem in babies and can lead to outcomes ranging from cerebral palsy to death. We have a limited understanding of the mechanisms that cause damage, and thus very limited treatments. This project will investigate the role of cells called astrocytes in brain injury and identify novel therapeutic strategies to prevent or reverse brain damage. The outcomes of this research will ultimately lead to new treatments for hypoxic brain injury.