Regulation Of The Haemostatic Activity Of Plasma Von Willebrand Factor
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$851,980.00
Summary
Our genes encode proteins that perform the tasks of life. Most proteins are chemically modified after they are made to control how, when, and where they function. Prof Hogg discovered a new chemical modification of proteins that is important in health and disease. He will apply this discovery to develop new diagnostics and therapies for heart attacks and stroke. Prof Hogg is one of the few Australians to take new diagnostics and therapies developed in the lab to evaluation in patients.
Redefining The Pro-thrombotic Mechanism Of Von Willebrand Factor
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$750,005.00
Summary
Blood clotting is the underlying cause of heart attacks and strokes. The blood protein, von Willebrand factor, is a critical player in blood clotting and impairment of its function is life threatening. We have discovered that there are three forms of VWF in human blood that have different functions in blood clotting. Characterisation of these different forms will likely lead to new blood clotting diagnostics and improved therapies.
Investigate The Role Of Platelet Von Willebrand Factor In Initiating Platelet Aggregation Under Flow
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$307,165.00
Summary
Platelets are small specialised blood cells that are essential for normal blood clotting and repair of damaged blood vessels following injury. We are studying the processes that enable platelets to stick to each other and to other cells to form a stable blood clot at the site of injury. The same processes, unchecked, are involved in the formation of harmful blood clots in the bloodstream that may block blood vessels in the heart or brain and result in a heart attack or stroke. Platelets stick to ....Platelets are small specialised blood cells that are essential for normal blood clotting and repair of damaged blood vessels following injury. We are studying the processes that enable platelets to stick to each other and to other cells to form a stable blood clot at the site of injury. The same processes, unchecked, are involved in the formation of harmful blood clots in the bloodstream that may block blood vessels in the heart or brain and result in a heart attack or stroke. Platelets stick to the blood vessel wall through specialised adhesive proteins. These adhesion proteins are stored within the platelet and expressed on the cell surface when the platelets stick to the blood vessel wall. In conditions such as Gray Platelet Syndrome, the platelets are unable to store adhesion receptors, resulting in impaired blood clot formation. A clearer understanding of how platelets stick to the blood vessel wall will not only increase our knowledge of blood clot formation in health and disease, but also with the potential development of new therapies for the prevention of heart disease and stroke.Read moreRead less
Investigation Of Mechanotransduction Mechanisms In Platelets
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$481,500.00
Summary
Platelets are extremely important cells that stop bleeding by sticking to injured blood vessel walls, forming blood clots. Excessive clotting can lead to fatal vascular events such as heart attack and stroke. On the other hand, defects in blood clotting can result in life threatening bleeding problems. Platelets stick to sites of vessel wall injury through the interaction between cell surface receptors and sticky materials (proteins) that become exposed to the blood flow when the vessel wall is ....Platelets are extremely important cells that stop bleeding by sticking to injured blood vessel walls, forming blood clots. Excessive clotting can lead to fatal vascular events such as heart attack and stroke. On the other hand, defects in blood clotting can result in life threatening bleeding problems. Platelets stick to sites of vessel wall injury through the interaction between cell surface receptors and sticky materials (proteins) that become exposed to the blood flow when the vessel wall is damaged. The stickiness of platelets is controlled by many proteins (and-or enzymes) inside these blood cells. These proteins transmit messages from platelet receptors on the surface into the cell interior, thereby controlling platelet behaviour. We are in the process of identifying several types of proteins-enzymes which are responsible for controlling platelet stickiness. The studies proposed in this application will provide better understanding of the complicated pathways regulating platelet stickiness and clot formation. The knowledge gained may utimately assist in the design of specific drugs for the prevention and-or treatment of heart attacks and strokes.Read moreRead less
Investigation Of Shear-sensitive Signalling Pathways In Human Platelets
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$196,527.00
Summary
Platelets are extremely important cells that control bleeding by sticking to injured blood vessels to form a blood clot. Excessive clotting can lead to fatal vascular events such as heart attacks and strokes. On the other hand, defects in blood clotting can result in life threatening bleeding problems. Platelets stick to the wall of a blood vessel when receptors on the surface of these cells interact with materials (ligands) that are exposed when the vessel wall is injured. The stickiness or adh ....Platelets are extremely important cells that control bleeding by sticking to injured blood vessels to form a blood clot. Excessive clotting can lead to fatal vascular events such as heart attacks and strokes. On the other hand, defects in blood clotting can result in life threatening bleeding problems. Platelets stick to the wall of a blood vessel when receptors on the surface of these cells interact with materials (ligands) that are exposed when the vessel wall is injured. The stickiness or adhesive behaviour of platelets is controlled by many proteins (enzymes) which are contained inside these cells. These enzymes transmit messages from platelet receptors on the surface into the cell interior, thereby controlling platelet behaviour. We are in the process of identifying several types of enzymes which are responsible for controlling platelet stickiness. Our research will provide a better understanding of the complicated pathways regulating platelet stickiness and clot formation. The knowledge gained from these studies may ultimately asssist in the design of specific drugs for the prevention and-or treatment of heart attacks and strokes.Read moreRead less