A Newly Identified Role For 14-3-3zeta Protein In Thrombosis And Platelet Procoagulant Activity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$556,327.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke is the major cause of death globally, and is responsible for the death of 50,000 Australians each year. Platelet activation and blood coagulation play an important role in these diseases and we have discovered that a protein called 14-3-3 zeta is important in the processes that result in thrombosis. We are studying the mechanisms by which this protein contributes to life-threatening platelet activation with the aim of developing new and m ....Cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke is the major cause of death globally, and is responsible for the death of 50,000 Australians each year. Platelet activation and blood coagulation play an important role in these diseases and we have discovered that a protein called 14-3-3 zeta is important in the processes that result in thrombosis. We are studying the mechanisms by which this protein contributes to life-threatening platelet activation with the aim of developing new and more effective anti-thrombotic drugs.Read moreRead less
Microenvironmental Impact In The Treatment Of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$621,458.00
Summary
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia remains one of the leading causes of death in children and outcomes for adults with this disease remain poor. This project examines how manipulation of the environment where leukemia arises can be used to therpaeutic advancage. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells are highly dependent on the support provided by bone marrow cells but the mechanisms are not well understood. Disrupting signals from the bone marrow cells has potential as a therapeutic strategy.
Harnessing RNA Interference In Gene Therapy Vectors For ?-thalassaemia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$719,188.00
Summary
There is an urgent need to develop safe and effective treatments for ?-thalassaemia. We anticipate that ?-globin-specific RNAi sequences will synergise with ?-globin transgene expression to achieve balanced ?-/?-globin ratio in a clinical setting. Given that one of the major issues with current gene therapy vectors is achieving high levels of expression, we believe this will be a more effective gene therapy strategy than ?-globin transgene expression alone.
Investigating A Novel Role For The Haemopoietic Growth Factor Receptor, C-Mpl, In Regulating Shear-dependent Platelet Adhesive Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$570,294.00
Summary
Platelets play a critical role in blood clot formation, with low platelet numbers leading to bleeding while excessive clot formation can cause heart attack and stroke. Platelets must ‘stick’ to injured blood vessels under blood flow (shear). We have discovered that the growth factor, c-Mpl, can regulate shear-dependent platelet sticking by controlling receptor ‘shedding’ from the cell surface. We will investigate how c-Mpl performs this new role, and examine platelet function in patients with my ....Platelets play a critical role in blood clot formation, with low platelet numbers leading to bleeding while excessive clot formation can cause heart attack and stroke. Platelets must ‘stick’ to injured blood vessels under blood flow (shear). We have discovered that the growth factor, c-Mpl, can regulate shear-dependent platelet sticking by controlling receptor ‘shedding’ from the cell surface. We will investigate how c-Mpl performs this new role, and examine platelet function in patients with myeloproliferative disease who have reduced c-Mpl.Read moreRead less
Molecular Regulation Of Haematopoiesis In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$863,413.00
Summary
The blood forming system coordinates production of cells that confer immunity to infection, transport oxygen and assist blood clotting. When the molecular mechanisms that control these functions go awry, diseases including leukaemia and autoimmunity result. This research will define fundamental molecular regulators of blood cell production and function, assess their role in blood cell diseases and explore their potential to provide leads for development of new therapeutics.