To understand the genetic basis of two of the most important cancers in women, breast and ovarian cancer. The team has already identified one gene that confers a very high risk of breast cancer and may account for a large proportion of 'familial' breast cancer. Their aim is to identify additional predisposition genes and to determine their normal function in the cell, as well as the way in which they contribute to the development of cancer
Breast Cancer is a very common disease in women and although huge progress has been made in the last two decades, much remains to be done to improve our understanding of different types of breast cancer and its management. This program brings together the expertise of three senior researchers: 2scientists and 1 medical scientist. Dr Trench has an interest in identifying genes involved in cancers arising in patients who have a strong family history. She will use molecular methods and cohorts of p ....Breast Cancer is a very common disease in women and although huge progress has been made in the last two decades, much remains to be done to improve our understanding of different types of breast cancer and its management. This program brings together the expertise of three senior researchers: 2scientists and 1 medical scientist. Dr Trench has an interest in identifying genes involved in cancers arising in patients who have a strong family history. She will use molecular methods and cohorts of patients enrolled with Kathleen Cunningham Foundation for Research into Familial Breast and Ovarian Cancer to identify the genes responsible, assess their distribution in the population and determine whether these genes also play a role in non-familial cancers. Dr Khanna's work examines the complex array of enzymes that are responsible for maintaining the integrity of the DNA, and investigates how failure of these mechanisms leads to damage of the genetic material which ultimately results in cancer. It is known that genes involved in familial predisposition code for proteins that work as DNA repair enzymes. It is also known that different types of breast cancer exist, each with differing behaviour and response to treatment and that they are associated with specific genetic changes, including those associated with a familial predisposition. Prof Lakhani's interest lies in using microscopy and the latest molecular tools to refine the classification of these different types of breast tumour so that they can be managed appropriately by his surgical and oncological colleagues. A better understanding of the genetic changes and underlying biology of different types of breast cancer will lead to individualised and specific therapy for patients. This program brings together a unique combination, nationally and internationally, that investigates cancers at the level of genes and cells and translates the information to the clinic for the benefit of patient management.Read moreRead less
Immunological Therapies For Cancer, Chronic Infection And Autoimmunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,891,788.00
Summary
The team comprises five leading scientists with a history of successful investigation into the role of the immune system in cancers, chronic viral infections, and autoimmune diseases. There is a large unmet need for effective solutions with fewer side effects in these diseases which cause a high disease burden in our society. In this program, we particularly seek to develop novel vaccines for chronic infections and autoimmune diseases, and to improve the safety of bone marrow transplantation.
Genetic And Bioinformatic Analysis Of Complex Human Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$8,752,567.00
Summary
Some human diseases are common in families; examples include prostate cancer, blood cancers, epilepsy and diabetes. Therefore, close relatives of individuals with a disease have an increased risk of being affected by this disease, implying a genetic basis. Finding the cause of these diseases is difficult, we will be developing novel approaches to the identification of genes responsible for these diseases. This is the first step towards the development of treatments for affected individuals.
The genome project has opened the path for the study of diseases using genetics. This approach is still quite recent in human and mammalian biology. It requires a large amount of input from statisticians and computer scientists as well as from the biologists and clinicians working on the disease. The team is looking for genes causing complex genetic diseases and use human populations and families as well as mouse models of human diseases. This includes modifiers of cancer development and respons ....The genome project has opened the path for the study of diseases using genetics. This approach is still quite recent in human and mammalian biology. It requires a large amount of input from statisticians and computer scientists as well as from the biologists and clinicians working on the disease. The team is looking for genes causing complex genetic diseases and use human populations and families as well as mouse models of human diseases. This includes modifiers of cancer development and response to infectious disease as well as deafness and autoimmune diseases.Read moreRead less
This program brings together a team of researchers from The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research to study how the body regulates antibody production to fight disease. Antibodies are made by B-cells and are essential for a functional immune system. B cells circulate in the body, searching for signs of infection. When they encounter an invader, they mature, with the help of other immune cells, into antibody-producing cells. A small proportion of the cells are set aside as _memory� c ....This program brings together a team of researchers from The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research to study how the body regulates antibody production to fight disease. Antibodies are made by B-cells and are essential for a functional immune system. B cells circulate in the body, searching for signs of infection. When they encounter an invader, they mature, with the help of other immune cells, into antibody-producing cells. A small proportion of the cells are set aside as _memory� cells that can rapidly become antibodyproducing cells should the same infection occur again in the future. This is the basis of vaccination. This program aims to understand how a B cell changes into an antibody-producing cell, by studying the genes that are known to be required for the cells to form, or to do their work. We will study animals whose immune systems are under- or over-active, to find out what part of the antibody-producing process is faulty. Using this information, we hope eventually to be able to study diseases of antibody producing cells in humans (as occur in allergy, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and leukaemia), to be able to identify the precise cause of the problem, and to suggest a therapy. This information may also be used to improve the outcome of vaccination where an enhanced antibody response is desired.Read moreRead less