Liquid Biopsy For Personalised Monitoring Of Melanoma Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$820,888.00
Summary
Despite the success of recent melanoma treatments, therapies are effective long term in only a proportion of patients. Here we will progress preliminary findings in collaboration with biotechnology and pathology companies to develop highly effective companion biomarkers that will aid treatment decisions throughout disease course. Our team will spearhead translation of these markers into the clinic for routine monitoring of melanoma patients.
Deciphering The Role Of Atypical DNA Methylation In Neuronal Genome Regulation And Neurological Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$773,484.00
Summary
This research will use a combination of genomic, biochemical and functional genomics approaches to investigate the role of the atypical mCH form of DNA methylation in neuronal genome regulation and function, and provide new insights into the role of the epigenome in healthy brain function and neural pathologies.
Leveraging Genomics Strategies To Generate Adult Neurons From IPSCs And Somatic Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,593,336.00
Summary
Recent advances have made it possible to derive myriad specialized human cells from stem cells or by directly reprogramming cell identity. However, these derived cells are generally arrested at a fetal developmental stage, and do not mature to function like adult cells. We will use new genomic, epigenetic, cell reprogramming, and manipulation methods to discover how to derive mature cells, aiming to generate mature neurons for use in neurobiology research, disease modeling, and drug screening.
EPIGENETIC REPROGRAMMING OF MALIGNANT BREAST CANCER
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$863,268.00
Summary
Poorly differentiated breast cancers are aggressive tumors, frequently resistant to chemotherapy and associated with high morbidity. Herein we propose the engineering of more selective therapeutic agents able to target the genes involved in cancer initiation and resistance to treatment. We aim to correct and reprogram the cancer cell genome in state that is similar to normal, not tumorigenic cells. This work will generate novel forms of treatment for cancers that are presently not curable.
A specialised set of T lymphocytes called Mucosal Associated Invariant T (MAIT) cells react against bacteria and yeast, and reside at mucosal sites where the body's immune defences are most easily breached, e.g. respiratory tract and intestinal mucosa. This study investigates the role of MAIT cells in both protection and pathology in bacterial infections. Controlling MAIT cells could help in treating these conditions.
Diseases caused by the pneumococcus represent the largest cause of vaccine preventable death in the world today, mainly pneumonia and meningitis. In 2011, 16 developing countries will introduce pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, none in east Asia. Lack of research has been a major barrier to their use in the region. We have established an international centre of excellence in the field and we seek support to extend the capacity of this group and to transfer the technology to Vietnam.