Liver Lipotoxicity And NASH: Mechanistic Roles Of Free Cholesterol, Saturated FFA, JNK1 And TLR4
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$429,712.00
Summary
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) occurs in overweight people, diabetes and with high blood pressure and raised cholesterol. This research is about how cholesterol in liver cells interacts with long chain fatty acids to cause injury and inflammation (steatohepatitis, NASH) in NAFLD.
This project aims to develop a new therapy for colorectal cancer (CRC). We have already demonstrated that a molecule called PAK1 is the master regulator of several intracellular signalling pathways, and is essential for CRC growth and invasion. We now plan to study whether inhibitors that block PAK1 activity can prevent the growth of human CRC cells in the laboratory or their development into tumours in animals.
Understanding The Role Of PI 3-kinase Mutations In Gastrointestinal Tumourigenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$283,880.00
Summary
Mutations in the PIK3CA gene are frequently found in bowel cancers but it remains unclear exactly how these mutations are involved in cancer development. We will exploit a unique mouse model to explore the role of PIK3CA mutations in the initiation, progression and-or metastasis of gastrointestinal cancers. This work will provide critical new insights into the biology of PIK3CA mutations and lead to the development of better models for the testing of new anti-cancer therapies.