Investigation Into The Roles Of Ena/VASP-Like And Protein Phosphatase 4C In DNA Damage Repair Via Homologous Recombination
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$57,139.00
Summary
The repair of DNA damage is a critical cellular mechanism that exists to ensure genomic stability. This project aims to investigate the role of the proteins Ena/VASP-Like and Protein Phosphatase 4C in DNA damage repair via homologous recombination. The DNA damage response pathway is an important area in the study of cancer and ageing, and the potential role of PP4C and EVL in homologous recombination needs to be investigated further.
Defining The Role Of A Palmitoylated Variant Of Sphingosine Kinase 1 In Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$603,452.00
Summary
Sphingosine kinase is a protein that when dysregulated is involved in cancer development and progression. We have recently made a substantial breakthrough in this area by identifing a naturally occuring variant of sphingosine kinase that is constantly activated and has an enhanced ability to induce cancer. In this study we will examine and target this form of sphingosine kinase as a potential therapeutic intervention in cancer.
Role Of Oxidative Stress In Activating ATM To Protect Against Neurodegeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$570,334.00
Summary
ATM is the protein defective in the human genetic disorder ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T). This project is designed to investigate how this protein is activated by oxidative stress. The study is largely a mechanistic one, to investigate changes occurring in ATM as part of the activation process. There is evidence that ATM exists in the cytoplasm in neuronal cells and understanding its function in these cells may assist in understanding the basis for neurodegeneration in A-T.
Dissecting Rapamycin Sensitive And Insensitive Effects Of MTOR
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,183,241.00
Summary
All cells possess machinery that can sense nutrient availability and trigger cell growth and nutrient storage pathways. However, nutrient oversupply is detrimental to health. Recently, it was shown that drugs that inhibit the nutrient sensors have life extending effects. Our laboratory has discovered a novel mechanism by which these drugs might be mediating these beneficial effects that could change the way we think about the beneficial effects of these drugs and their mode of action
Sphingosine Kinase As A Target For Anti-cancer Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$590,785.00
Summary
Sphingosine kinase is a protein involved in the development and progression of numerous types of solid tumors and leukaemias. We have recently made a major break-through by identifing how the cancer-inducing activity of sphingosine kinase is controlled. In this study we will target these control mechanisms to develop potential new anti-cancer therapies.
New Insights Into Mechanisms That Coordinate Kinase Signalling And Molecular Motors In Mitosis: A Novel Role For The Protein Scaffold WD-repeat Protein 62 (WDR62).
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$529,122.00
Summary
Proteins perform all functions within a cell. Commonly, different proteins are assembled into large complexes to carry out processes, such as cell division, with significant implications for human health. Scaffold proteins facilitate the proper assembly of large complexes but are a poorly understood protein class. We will perform molecular analysis of a newly discovered scaffold, WDR62, to define how it drives cell division and reveal how this can be exploited to develop new anti-cancer drugs.
Structural And Functional Analysis Of Oncostatin M Receptor Signalling Complexes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$519,284.00
Summary
Understanding how a chemical messenger selectively controls bone formation may lead to development of new therapies for osteoporosis and potentially other important diseases.
The Characterization Of A Novel Pseudokinase Regulator Of Platelet Formation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,965.00
Summary
Mammalian cells contain a complex switchboard, which directs the cell to grow, die, multiply or move in response to external cues. When communication breaks down within the cell, diseases arise. Our studies are directed towards identifying the molecules that comprise the switchboard which directs blood cell formation. A detailed understanding of the regulators of blood cell formation will equip us with a sound starting point for designing drugs to ameliorate blood diseases.
The overall goal of the program is to develop novel approaches to slow the progress or prevent neurodegeneration in patients with rare human genetic disorders. The second program is designed to develop novel therapeutics from snake venom proteins. These include proteins with anti-bleeding activity and those with application in wound healing. The third program involves the development of novel biomarkers for the early detection and prognosis in prostate cancer.
Characterization Of SgK269, A Master Regulator Of Growth Factor Receptor Signalling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$623,751.00
Summary
Perturbed signaling within a cell can cause multiple diseases, including cancer. SgK269 is a scaffold protein involved in signaling and implicated in breast, colon and pancreatic cancer. By determining the signaling mechanism and function of the SgK269 scaffold, this work will provide novel and important insights into a key regulator of cell signaling, and reveal potential strategies for therapeutic targeting of the SgK269 scaffold that could be utilized in cancer treatment.