The Role Of Stem-progenitor Cells In Regeneration Of Mouse Endometrium.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$311,938.00
Summary
The endometrium (lining of the uterus) undergoes breakdown and re-growth each month as part of the menstrual cycle. This restorative process is not well understood. For the first time stem cells have been identified within human endometrium that are likely to be responsible for its remarkable regeneration. The aim of this project is to identify stem cells within the mouse endometrium, to use as a model to understand how the endometrium restores each month after menstruation.
Differentiation Of Murine Embryonic Stem Cells To The Female Germ Line
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$57,342.00
Summary
In this project we aim to establish techniques to obtain viable and developmentally competent eggs from embryonic stem (ES) cells for studies on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of sex cell production. We expect to achieve ES cell derived eggs with similar fertilization and developmental potential as eggs developed naturally. Sterility resulting from cancer treatments and from genetic and non-genetic malformations can benefit from this ES cell therapy.
Determing Whether Breast Stem Cells Mediate The Risk Of Developing Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$433,894.00
Summary
Whilst the outcomes for women with breast cancer have improved significantly, the incidence of breast cancer continues to increase. Research needs to focus on prevention now to try to stop the increase. Apart from age, our reproductive behaviour is the largest risk factor for breast cancer. If a woman does not bear children, or has them after 35 years of age, she is at 25-50% increased risk of breast cancer. We would like to determine whether the breast stem cells play a role in this and why.
Growth Factors And Regulatory Genes Controlling Male Spermatogonial Proliferation And Differentiation.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$354,536.00
Summary
In newborn and prepubertal boys the testis contains germ cells which are at a premature stage of development and very suseptible to degeneration especially if the testes fail to descend to the scrotum. The molecules which are responsible for the health of these germ cells have been unknown and only recently the way has been opened for direct study of these factors. This has been made possible by a new assay, developed in our labarotory, in which we can grow these germ cells under defined conditi ....In newborn and prepubertal boys the testis contains germ cells which are at a premature stage of development and very suseptible to degeneration especially if the testes fail to descend to the scrotum. The molecules which are responsible for the health of these germ cells have been unknown and only recently the way has been opened for direct study of these factors. This has been made possible by a new assay, developed in our labarotory, in which we can grow these germ cells under defined conditions. This step forward has highlighted some areas of knowledge which need further research such as identification of the processes which stimulate gonocytes to grow and divide. We need to test growth factors, somatic cell factors and also isolate new genes which are associated with germ cells and their growth. This knowledge will have outcomes in two major areas. First, the new findings could be applied to treatment of infertility resulting from undescended testes in which a stimulus could be given to make the germ cells grow again. Second, work in developing longer term culture of germ cells coupled with introduction of mutations will enable us to make mutant mice with a specific gene abnormality, similar to transgenic or gene knockout mice. This technological development would prove less expensive and time consuming with more reproducible and direct outcomes. Mutant mouse technology is a powerful tool to determine the effects of individual genes in the whole animal (mouse).Read moreRead less
Characterisation Of The Pathways Leading To DNA Demethylation In The Embryo.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$634,573.00
Summary
Complex living creatures like humans have specialised cells that co-operate to form important organs like brains and reproductive organs. Specialised cells have specific genes locked on or off. When a sperm fertilises an egg, all the switches of the genes that are locked on or off get reset to neutral so that the fertilised egg can divide and grow into all cell types in the body. We do not know how this resetting happens in the egg. This project seeks to discover the mechanism involved.
The Early Life Origins Of Impaired Testicular Function: A Prospective Cohort Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$623,277.00
Summary
There is a widespread public perception that sperm counts are diminishing. This theory can only be tested by using a representative sample of young men, rather than biased populations (such as men presenting as sperm donors). We have the unique opportunity to test this theory, and to determine any early life events which may lead to reduced sperm counts, such as being growth restricted at birth, exposed to high levels of maternal oestrogens or smoking or being overweight in adolescence.
The Characterisation Of An Essential Regulator Of Pre-mRNA Splicing Required For Germ Cell Function And Male Fertility
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,116,739.00
Summary
The male germ line is a fantastic system within which to define processes of fundamental importance to cell biology and health broadly. Within this grant we will define the role of a poorly described RNA splicing factor in all of stem cell function (spermatogonia), meiosis (spermatocytes) and in the remarkable metamorphosis underlying spermatid maturation. This will be done using a range of phenotypic characterizations, CHIP and RNA Seq technologies and gene sequencing.