Do pancreatic stellate cells play a role in pancreatic exocrine secretion? 3 major national benefits: 1)Alignment with research priority goals of preventative health care and ageing well ageing productively. Elucidation of mechanisms of action of CCK and the interaction of PSCs and acinar cells in mediating pancreatic secretion will help refine our approach to the prevention and treatment of disorders related to the above processes viz. maldigestion, malabsorption, obesity and pancreatic cancer. ....Do pancreatic stellate cells play a role in pancreatic exocrine secretion? 3 major national benefits: 1)Alignment with research priority goals of preventative health care and ageing well ageing productively. Elucidation of mechanisms of action of CCK and the interaction of PSCs and acinar cells in mediating pancreatic secretion will help refine our approach to the prevention and treatment of disorders related to the above processes viz. maldigestion, malabsorption, obesity and pancreatic cancer. 2)Enhancement of Australia's reputation in gastrointestinal (GI) research through a unique collaboration between internationally recognised researchers in GI and pancreatic biology. 3)Training opportunities for Australian research students and scientists in physiology, gastroenterology and pancreatology.Read moreRead less
Activation mechanisms of store-operated calcium channels in liver cells. Currently, one of the most active areas of research in biology involves the molecular mechanisms that control the activity of cells. Defining these will provide a deeper understanding of normal function and disease, and provide potential therapeutic targets. This group has an international reputation for its work and it makes a major input to maintaining Australia as a significant contributor to this field. While its resea ....Activation mechanisms of store-operated calcium channels in liver cells. Currently, one of the most active areas of research in biology involves the molecular mechanisms that control the activity of cells. Defining these will provide a deeper understanding of normal function and disease, and provide potential therapeutic targets. This group has an international reputation for its work and it makes a major input to maintaining Australia as a significant contributor to this field. While its research has broad application in biology, its specific focus, calcium signalling in the liver, will provide the basis for understanding liver function and disease and, potentially, for developing new treatments for liver disease associated with abnormal calcium homeostasis.Read moreRead less
Molecular signals that regulate the regenerative properties of intestinal epithelial cells. Most cancer deaths are due to the cancer spreading to other organs. Cancer is much more difficult to treat once it has spread to other organs in the body where the cancer cells can exist in a dormant state. Dormant cancer cells evade conventional anticancer treatment and can remain dormant for a very long time before they change back to a 'tumour-growing' state. An understanding of how the cancer initiati ....Molecular signals that regulate the regenerative properties of intestinal epithelial cells. Most cancer deaths are due to the cancer spreading to other organs. Cancer is much more difficult to treat once it has spread to other organs in the body where the cancer cells can exist in a dormant state. Dormant cancer cells evade conventional anticancer treatment and can remain dormant for a very long time before they change back to a 'tumour-growing' state. An understanding of how the cancer initiating (stem cell) property of tumour cells is maintained offers potential novel avenues to eliminate persistent cancer cells. This knowledge will ultimately lead to better management and treatment of cancer, and increase survival. An understanding of stem cell behaviour is also central to the control of degenerative conditions.Read moreRead less