Novel Transcription Factor Regulation Of Lymphatic Vascular Angiogenesis In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$831,568.00
Summary
Lymphatic vessels control tissue fluid drainage, inflammatory processes and cancer progression. We have used genetic approaches to discover an unexpected role for a family of factors (transcription factors) that regulate new lymphatic vessel formation. This project will investigate this biological function of these genes in detail in vascular formation. The project aims to generate important knowledge for vascular biology, vascular pathologies, cancer spread and future therapeutics.
I am a developmental biologist using genetic approaches in the model vertebrate, zebrafish, to study the molecular basis for muscle formation. My laboratory studies the basic biology of muscle and applies that knowledge to create accurate disease models o
Examining Genome Wide Gene Expression Changes During Cardiac Injury And Regeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$351,852.00
Summary
Heart attacks are the leading cause of death in Australia. Following a heart attack, the loss of beating heart cells is replaced with a permanent scar and this limits the heart from functioning properly. The zebrafish can uniquely recover from a heart attack. New heart cells are generated rather than scar formation. This project will use the zebrafish to identify new signals that promote heart regeneration and can potentially be applied in human hearts to reverse the damage following injury.
The Genetic And Cellular Control Of Lymphangiogenesis In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$475,534.00
Summary
Lymphatic vessels and veins play major roles in cardiovascular disorders. In many vascular pathologies we need an ability to promote or restrict vessel formation. This research investigates the genes that control the development of new veins and lymphatic vessels. Outcomes will include a greater understanding of how our vasculature is formed, providing new knowledge that should contribute to future lymphatic and vascular therapeutic approaches.
Defining The In Vivo Contribution Of Leukocyte Extracellular Traps To Infective Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$598,363.00
Summary
Neutrophils are the white blood cells that protect against infection. A surprising protective neutrophil behaviour was recently described – neutrophils can pack up their internal DNA and antimicrobial enzymes and explosively release them into their surrounds, forming a “Neutrophil Extracellular Trap” (NET). This project uses zebrafish built have fluorescent neutrophils to study NET release in living animals. We will learn how NETs control infection and what goes wrong when NETs cause disease.
Functional And Molecular Characterization Of A Novel Regulator Of Angiogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$474,907.00
Summary
All cells in the body require blood vessels for the provision of nutrients and waste-removal. A deficiency of vessels prevents proper healing whereas an overabundance is a hallmark of diseases such as cancer and macular degeneration. This research will investigate a novel gene that is essential for new vessel growth. The project aims to understand the mechanism of how this gene functions. Ultimately, the research aims to inform therapeutic development for stimulating or inhibiting vessel growth.
Studies Of Myeloid Leukaemogenesis In The Zebrafish
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$171,827.00
Summary
This project aims to investigate the causes of white blood cell cancer, or leukaemia, at the molecular level, using a novel approach in zebrafish. Zebrafish provide a powerful experimental model for developmental genetics, largely due to the visual and technical accessibility of embryos for experimentation. We plan to introduce a fluorescent molecular tag into the white blood cells in order to directly visualise them. We will then predispose these fish to leukaemia and screen for mutants with en ....This project aims to investigate the causes of white blood cell cancer, or leukaemia, at the molecular level, using a novel approach in zebrafish. Zebrafish provide a powerful experimental model for developmental genetics, largely due to the visual and technical accessibility of embryos for experimentation. We plan to introduce a fluorescent molecular tag into the white blood cells in order to directly visualise them. We will then predispose these fish to leukaemia and screen for mutants with enhanced or suppressed leukaemia. We anticipate that the mutants will allow new genes involved in the development of leukaemia to be identified.Read moreRead less
Investigating A Novel Genetic Regulator Of Cardiac Rhythm
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$557,101.00
Summary
Cardiac arrhythmias affect approximately 5% of the population and have a high association with sudden death. Whilst the cause of cardiac arrhythmia is complex, we know that genetic mutations play a role however we don't know all the genes important for cardiac rhythm. It is imperative that we identify all the genes in this process, so we can determine which mutations cause arrhythmia. We have identified a new gene that causes cardiac arrhythmia and seek to understand how it functions.
Models Of Cerebellar Function During Motor Learning
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$384,775.00
Summary
The cerebellum is responsible for smooth movements and for learning new patterns of motions, but many details of how it works are unclear. We aim to describe neural activity in the cerebellum while motor learning is in progress, and determine exactly what patterns of activity lead to the acquisition of new types of learned movement. The basic knowledge gained will contribute to a better understanding of cerebellar disorders including nystagmus, ataxia, and loss of motor control with ageing.