Targeting Tumour-Stromal Interactions In Pancreatic Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$410,095.00
Summary
Pancreatic cancer claims five Australian lives every day and is one of the nations most lethal diseases. Despite aggressive treatment regimes, there has been no improvement in patient survival in the last decade. Evidence suggests that targeting cancer cells alone is not enough. The intense stromal reaction inhibits drug delivery and increases the aggressiveness of the tumours. Thus, depletion of the stroma or pancreatic stellate cells is a potential therapeutic target.
Redirecting T-cells For Immunotherapy Of Leukaemia And Lymphoma By The Expression Of A CD19-specific Chimeric Antigen Receptor Using The PiggyBac Transposon Gene Modification System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$374,876.00
Summary
Most lymphomas respond to therapy but then relapse. Immune cells can attack and kill virus related lymphomas. However, most lymphomas are NOT virus related. We will create immune cells targeting these virus negative lymphomas by inserting artificial receptors into the immune cells. These receptors attach to the lymphoma and activate the immune cells. The immune cells will home to the lymphoma, kill lymphoma cells and persist in the body for many years, preventing lymphoma relapse.
How Do Bone-active Drugs Increase Patient Survival?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$613,952.00
Summary
Bisphosphonates are a class of drugs used to prevent bone destruction in diseases such as osteoporosis. Evidence is emerging that these drugs also act on cells outside the skeleton to have additional beneficial effects, for example prolonging patient survival. This project will identify the cells affected and the mechanisms involved. With this knowledge, these drugs could be used more effectively and in different ways for the prevention or treatment of cancer and chronic human illnesses.
Bone Marrow Macrophages: “Resident Evil” In The Establishment And Progression Of Multiple Myeloma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$570,585.00
Summary
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a cancer that develops within the bone marrow (BM). To date, which cells of the BM stroma are required for the support of MM growth remains unknown. Our preliminary data suggest BM resident macrophages, expressing CD169 and CX3CR1, are essential for MM growth. Using innovative and elegant animal models of MM, we will define the role of these macrophages in MM growth and determine if macrophage-targeted therapies can delay MM growth in the relapsed disease setting.
Role Of Brm In Skin Tumour Progression From Benign To Malignant
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$457,267.00
Summary
Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world. Skin cancer is 3 times as common as all other cancers combined and continues to increase in incidence, particularly in the aging population. Skin cancer is caused by exposure to the ultraviolet radiation found in sunlight. Ultraviolet radiation causes the appearance of solar keratosis, or sunspots, benign lesions that are not particularly dangerous to human health. Some of these develop into malignant squamous cell carcinomas that ....Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world. Skin cancer is 3 times as common as all other cancers combined and continues to increase in incidence, particularly in the aging population. Skin cancer is caused by exposure to the ultraviolet radiation found in sunlight. Ultraviolet radiation causes the appearance of solar keratosis, or sunspots, benign lesions that are not particularly dangerous to human health. Some of these develop into malignant squamous cell carcinomas that can spread to other tissues and are potentially fatal. Little is known about the biological mechanisms involved in solar keratosis development into squamous cell carcinomas. We have identified the gene brm as being involved in this process. It has not previously been recognised that this gene is important for skin cancer development and therefore our preliminary studies have identified a potential new target. We will study the role of this gene in ultraviolet radiation induced skin carcinogenesis, determine whether it is mutated by ultraviolet radiation in human skin cancer, and what role in plays in some key biological processes in skin cancer development. This study will expand our understanding of malignant conversion during human skin carcinogenesis, the most prevalent human cancer in Australia.Read moreRead less
Targeting Microtubules To Overcome Chemoresistance In Pancreatic Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$594,336.00
Summary
Pancreatic cancer is a devastating disease with a dismal prognosis because it is extremely resistant to chemotherapy agents. We plan to examine the expression of proteins called microtubules in pancreatic cancer and assess their role in drug resistance. It is anticipated that the findings of these studies will lead to the development of effective approaches to sensitise the cancer cells to chemotherapy agents.
Designing effective learning experiences: Investigating novice and expert teachers’ design processes. Quality teaching leads to quality learning outcomes for students. Primary school teachers are responsible for designing learning experiences for their students in an increasingly complex environment. This project will advance understanding by: characterising and identifying differences in how novice and expert teachers approach the design of learning experiences for their students; capturing exp ....Designing effective learning experiences: Investigating novice and expert teachers’ design processes. Quality teaching leads to quality learning outcomes for students. Primary school teachers are responsible for designing learning experiences for their students in an increasingly complex environment. This project will advance understanding by: characterising and identifying differences in how novice and expert teachers approach the design of learning experiences for their students; capturing expert design processes through practice examples; and investigating how expert practice examples stimulate novice teachers to design learning experiences. This new understanding of teachers' design processes is necessary to enhance teacher preparation and continued professional learning.Read moreRead less
Early career teacher induction: Supporting precarious teachers. This project aims to investigate the ways in which Australian induction policies support precariously employed early career teachers to effectively manage student classroom behaviour. This project expects to generate new knowledge of workforce development and induction experiences of early career teachers employed on casual and short-term contracts. Expected outcomes of this project include alternative policy and practice recommenda ....Early career teacher induction: Supporting precarious teachers. This project aims to investigate the ways in which Australian induction policies support precariously employed early career teachers to effectively manage student classroom behaviour. This project expects to generate new knowledge of workforce development and induction experiences of early career teachers employed on casual and short-term contracts. Expected outcomes of this project include alternative policy and practice recommendations to support the transition of insecure replacement teachers within the profession. The benefits of this research include, improving teachers’ classroom management practices; the retention of new teachers; improving teacher workforce development; and building a healthier education system. Read moreRead less
Investigating the atomic structure of an immune cell inhibitory receptor. T cells play a key role in the adaptive immune system, whose reactivity must be controlled to prevent aberrant reactivity. Central to the function of T cells is the T cell antigen receptor, and a host of co-stimulatory molecules, co-receptors and inhibitory receptors. This proposal, in partnership with Immutep Ltd, aims to gain a basic understanding of the structure and function of a key inhibitory receptor found on T cel ....Investigating the atomic structure of an immune cell inhibitory receptor. T cells play a key role in the adaptive immune system, whose reactivity must be controlled to prevent aberrant reactivity. Central to the function of T cells is the T cell antigen receptor, and a host of co-stimulatory molecules, co-receptors and inhibitory receptors. This proposal, in partnership with Immutep Ltd, aims to gain a basic understanding of the structure and function of a key inhibitory receptor found on T cells, termed the Lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG-3). The proposal utilises a combination of cellular immunology and structural biology to gain insight into the form and function of the LAG-3 molecule. Ultimately this fundamental knowledge can be used by the biotechnology industry.Read moreRead less
Investigating the effectiveness of teacher education for early career teachers in diverse settings: a longitudinal study. This project investigates the effectiveness of teacher education programs in Victoria and Queensland in preparing teachers for the variety of school settings in which they begin their careers. The findings will inform state and national policy, as well as the work of professional regulation authorities and teacher education providers.