Focimatrix Regulation Of Sex Steroid Hormones In The Ovary
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$291,309.00
Summary
Sex steroid hormones (e.g. oestrogen and testosterone), are important to male and female health. In the ovarian follicle I identified a novel form of extracellular matrix (focimatrix) which develops in the ovary before the synthetic enzymes needed for sex steroids are present. Using evidence from other tissues, I developed ideas on how this matrix regulates the enzymes for hormone synthesis. I will examine a mechanism by which focimatrix could directly affect steroid hormone production.
Identification Of Regulatory Protein Interactions On The CRH Promoter
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$216,600.00
Summary
CRH made in the brain controls our response to stress, and when made by the placenta it controls when birth will occur. Changes to the stress response can have important implications in heart disease, cancer, obesity and many other diseases. 70% of neonatal death is a result of premature birth, and pre-term babies that survive are more likely to have intellectual handicap or cerebral palsy. This research will help us understand CRH production during stress and pregnancy.