Stem Cell Niches: Biology And Therapeutic Applications
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$640,210.00
Summary
This research aims to identify how stem cells are regulated in the body in order to improve therapies for blood disorders and abnormal bone formation after severe traumas. Targeting molecules that deregulate stem cells will lead to improved treatments for diseases with outcomes including improved treatments for blood stem cell transplantation, improved therapy in cancer patients and reduced complications of spinal cord injuries.
The mechanisms regulating expression and function of surface receptors on blood platelets are critical for understanding cardiovascular diseases involving aberrant platelet function, not only thrombotic diseases such as heart attack or stroke, but other pathology involving platelets including coagulopathy and autoimmune thrombocytopenia caused by anti-platelet antibodies. Improved diagnosis and therapeutic targeting of platelet-specific receptors mediating arterial thrombosis can save many lives ....The mechanisms regulating expression and function of surface receptors on blood platelets are critical for understanding cardiovascular diseases involving aberrant platelet function, not only thrombotic diseases such as heart attack or stroke, but other pathology involving platelets including coagulopathy and autoimmune thrombocytopenia caused by anti-platelet antibodies. Improved diagnosis and therapeutic targeting of platelet-specific receptors mediating arterial thrombosis can save many lives given the prevalence and severity of disease.Read moreRead less
Investigating A Potential New Treatment For Stroke
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$878,522.00
Summary
Blood clots blocking blood flow to the brain (stroke) are a major cause of death and disability. Safety concerns limit approved therapies to a small subset of patients, highlighting an urgent need for safer, more effective drugs. Our studies show that inhibitors of the enzyme PI3Kbeta increase blood clot permeability, increasing clot ‘dissolvability’, without increased bleeding. This raises the possibility that PI3Kbeta inhibitors may represent a safe and effective adjuvant therapy for stroke.
Modelling Haematopoietic Disease And Leukocyte Function Using Zebrafish Models
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$686,656.00
Summary
Dr Lieschke studies white blood cell function and diseases. His biomedical research uses zebrafish animal models of human white blood cell diseases and he is an international expert on their blood and immune systems. His current research aims to understand what goes wrong in diseases when there are too many white blood cells (as in leukaemia), or too few (as in some hereditary diseases), and to develop new therapies for controlling inflammatory and infective diseases.
The Roles Of Retinoic Acid Receptors In Regulating Haemopoiesis And Bone
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$601,484.00
Summary
My research has shown that vitamin A is very important to the normal function of blood and bone cells. I will further explore the uses of vitamin A products to improve the treatment of patients with a range of different blood and bone diseases. These studies may lead to better treatments of patients with a wide range of blood cell diseases. It may also reveal better treatments for patients with bone diseases such as cancer and osteoporosis.
Regulation Of Normal And Malignant Haematopoiesis By The Bone Marrow Environment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$621,458.00
Summary
This project will identify factors within the bone marrow that regulate blood and immune cell formation. These include oxygenation and novel proteins identified in the applicant’s laboratory. How these factors from the bone marrow influence the behaviour of normal blood forming cells (called haematopoietic stem cells), and the progression of leukaemia and the response of leukaemia to chemotherapy treatments will be investigated. New drugs that interfere with these new factors will be tested for ....This project will identify factors within the bone marrow that regulate blood and immune cell formation. These include oxygenation and novel proteins identified in the applicant’s laboratory. How these factors from the bone marrow influence the behaviour of normal blood forming cells (called haematopoietic stem cells), and the progression of leukaemia and the response of leukaemia to chemotherapy treatments will be investigated. New drugs that interfere with these new factors will be tested for their potential to treat leukaemia.Read moreRead less
A-Prof Roberst is a clinical haematologist caring for patients with blood cancers, who is committed to developing new therapies for currently incurable diseases through laboratory and clinical trial research.
The transplantation of healthy stem cells from a donor into a recipient with blood cancer (stem cell transplantation) is the most effective curative therapy for the majority of patients. Unfortunately this process results in unwanted, often fatal, side effects including infection, a rejection process known as graft-versus-host disease and in some patients, the leukaemia still recurs. This research will refine new treatments focused on overcoming these limitations and improving transplant outcome
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.
Microenvironmental Impact In The Treatment Of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$621,458.00
Summary
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia remains one of the leading causes of death in children and outcomes for adults with this disease remain poor. This project examines how manipulation of the environment where leukemia arises can be used to therpaeutic advancage. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells are highly dependent on the support provided by bone marrow cells but the mechanisms are not well understood. Disrupting signals from the bone marrow cells has potential as a therapeutic strategy.