The Role Of Endometrial Stem Cells In Women’s Reproductive Health And Disease, And Their Use In Cell Based Therapies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$727,765.00
Summary
The endometrial lining of the uterus rapidly grows and sheds each month in reproductive age women. My discovery of 2 types of endometrial stem cells has changed our understanding of how endometrium grows and how abnormalities in this process lead to gynaecological disease. This project will characterise the role of endometrial stem cells in endometriosis and examine how endometrial mesenchymal stem cells can be used as a cell-based therapy for pelvic organ prolapse.
We aim to grow body tissues for surgery, including heart muscle, liver and pancreatic islets (for diabetes) and will investigate using stem cells to repair the brain after stroke. We will attempt to boost the expansion of blood vessels in growing tissues using molecular tools we have found crucial for cell signaling. In growing heart tissues and in stroke we will improve drugs that might boost the potential of stem cells to regenerate damaged tissues
Molecular Approaches To Cardiac Development, Disease And Regeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$863,910.00
Summary
Prof Harvey’s work explores the molecular and cellular networks that underpin heart development in the embryo and heart regeneration in the adult, and how these networks unravel in heart disease. Based on this knowledge, his work seeks to develop novel approaches for alleviating suffering in babies with congenital heart defects and adults enduring the devastating consequences of heart attack or heart failure.
Clinical Innovation Through Multidisciplinary Metabolic And Vascular Physiology: Impact Across The Obesity, Diabetes And Cardiovascular Disease Continuum
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$863,413.00
Summary
This innovative research program will address important clinical questions across the obesity, diabetes & cardiovascular disease continuum. Outcomes are directed to novel preventive, diagnostic & therapeutic strategies using a multidisciplinary approach. Potential major outcomes: 1. Novel therapies for diabetes by elevating good cholesterol 2. New anti-obesity strategies by stimulating brown fat 3. Drugs to manage peripheral artery diseases 4. A diagnostic test for sudden heart attacks
New genomic technologies are revolutionizing biological research. RNA-seq is a recently developed high-throughput sequencing technology that provides scientists with much more detail how genes are regulated and expressed than any earlier technology. New tools developed by Professor Gordon Smyth are allowing researchers to use RNA-Seq technology to more accurately determine which genes are genuinely changing in the development of cancers and in response to cancer treatments.
The majority of deaths from cancers are due to metastasis. MicroRNAs are gene regulators involved in shaping cellular properties and are known to control metastasis. My work will lead to understanding how the production of microRNAs in cancer cells is controlled, what the major functions of microRNAs are in cancer cells and the discovery of pathways that may be amenable to new forms of therapeutic intervention in cancer.
The Molecular Mechanisms Of Inherited And Acquired Musculoskeletal Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$823,008.00
Summary
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system are the second most prevalent medical conditions, and the second leading cause of health care expenditure in Australia. This research program seeks to identify genes causing inherited musculoskeletal disease and osteoarthritis. By identifying these genes, and by understanding the detailed molecular mechanisms of how gene mutations cause these disorders, our research is working towards developing better diagnostic and therapeutic approaches