Structural And Functional Studies On The Interaction Between Alpha2-Antiplasmin And Plasmin
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$280,400.00
Summary
Fibrinolysis is the process by which the body dissolves clots. In this proposal we aim to investigate how the fibrinolysis inhibitor alpha2-antiplasmin interacts with the clot dissolving protease enzyme plasmin. These data will be useful for developing new approaches to accelerate plasmin-mediated clot breakdown.
This research is directed by a team of medical and basic scientists with expertise in mechanisms of inflammation relevant to human disease. The program will investigate the molecular and cellular events that are responsible for inflammation in the kidneys, joints and blood vessels which lead to diseases such as glomerulonephritis, arthritis and atherosclerosis. The aim of the research is to find new therapeutic targets which may be specific to certain organs or disease processes, in order to dev ....This research is directed by a team of medical and basic scientists with expertise in mechanisms of inflammation relevant to human disease. The program will investigate the molecular and cellular events that are responsible for inflammation in the kidneys, joints and blood vessels which lead to diseases such as glomerulonephritis, arthritis and atherosclerosis. The aim of the research is to find new therapeutic targets which may be specific to certain organs or disease processes, in order to develop more effective and selective treatments ofchronic inflammatory disease in humans.Read moreRead less
Studying precancerous stem cells that cause T cell leukaemia. Recent research has identified abnormal stem cells that are the cause of T cell leukaemia. They are also resistant to therapeutics suggesting that they could be a cause of relapse. The aim of this project is to determine the abnormal pathways that cause these cells to become immortal and to determine new therapeutic strategies to eliminate them.
Characterisation Of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation To Haematopoietic Progenitors And Stem Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$638,856.00
Summary
Blood stem cells, which are found in the bone marrow, are currently used for treating human blood disorders including leukemia and lymphoma. However, for the majority of bone marrow transplant candidates, suitable donors cannot be found. Using embryonic stem cells, this project aims to define the conditions required to generate blood stem cells in the laboratory. The aim of the work is to provide a new source of blood stem cells that could be used in place of donor derived bone marrow.
Examining novel cell signalling in the regulation of platelet structure and function. Pharmaceutical inhibition of platelet function is the primary therapy for prevention of arterial thrombosis – the most common cause of death and disability in Australia. However, current therapies have limited efficacy. Defining platelet activation mechanisms in order to rationalise more effective antithrombotic approaches is the major focus of this research. This project describes the first studies to examine ....Examining novel cell signalling in the regulation of platelet structure and function. Pharmaceutical inhibition of platelet function is the primary therapy for prevention of arterial thrombosis – the most common cause of death and disability in Australia. However, current therapies have limited efficacy. Defining platelet activation mechanisms in order to rationalise more effective antithrombotic approaches is the major focus of this research. This project describes the first studies to examine the importance of a family of intracellular signalling enzymes, the Class II phosphoinositide 3-kinases, in platelet function. These studies will define the contribution of these enzymes to platelet production and function and will establish whether their inhibition is an attractive strategy for the prevention of arterial thrombosis.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120102263
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Export of effector proteins by P. falciparum to the infected red blood cell. Infection by the malaria parasite has lethal consequences for humans. The parasite exports hundreds of proteins via a translocon to commandeer the red blood cell. This project aims to determine the function of one of the major translocon components and determine if it is a viable target for anti-malarial drug development.
Pathogen sensing in systemic inflammatory disease. The initiation, amplification and quenching of an immune response is a carefully orchestrated process that eliminates invading pathogens while minimising collateral damage to host tissues. This research focuses on proteins that restrict immune responses to prevent inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease. This work will also explore the role of a potassium channel that protects the host from or ....Pathogen sensing in systemic inflammatory disease. The initiation, amplification and quenching of an immune response is a carefully orchestrated process that eliminates invading pathogens while minimising collateral damage to host tissues. This research focuses on proteins that restrict immune responses to prevent inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease. This work will also explore the role of a potassium channel that protects the host from organ failure during an infection, by coupling the energy requirements of mounting an immune response, and organ function. This may have important implications for the management of sepsis, a systemic immune response associated with infection and the leading cause of death in critically ill patients.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0347607
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$306,000.00
Summary
FishWorks - collaborative infrastructure for zebrafish research. Zebrafish have emerged as a powerful and cost-effective animal model for studying development, biology, and disease. FishWorks represents a large-scale co-operative initiative to develop state-of-the-art zebrafish housing, manipulation, genomics and screening infrastructure in Australia. This will both support and further enhance a core group of high quality researchers to engage in cutting-edge research in areas of acknowledged ex ....FishWorks - collaborative infrastructure for zebrafish research. Zebrafish have emerged as a powerful and cost-effective animal model for studying development, biology, and disease. FishWorks represents a large-scale co-operative initiative to develop state-of-the-art zebrafish housing, manipulation, genomics and screening infrastructure in Australia. This will both support and further enhance a core group of high quality researchers to engage in cutting-edge research in areas of acknowledged expertise as well as priority within their respective institutions. In addition, it will facilitate wide-ranging collaborative arrangements to further develop and exploit this research area.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100106
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$350,000.00
Summary
An advanced flow cytometry facility for the Peter Doherty Institute. The establishment of a flow cytometry facility in the new Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity will enhance capacity to investigate immunity to a broad range of very serious diseases. This project will support researchers studying viral and bacterial infection as well as cancer and autoimmunity.
Role of the PU.1 transcription factor in regulating lymphoid development. Haemopoiesis is a tightly regulated process and provides an important model for our understanding and application of stem cell biology. Perturbation of early haemopoiesis results in a number of important disorders including leukaemia, anaemia and immunodeficiency. The application of stem cells to many disease conditions is currently being pursued, however, in order to develop therapeutic interventions knowledge of normal c ....Role of the PU.1 transcription factor in regulating lymphoid development. Haemopoiesis is a tightly regulated process and provides an important model for our understanding and application of stem cell biology. Perturbation of early haemopoiesis results in a number of important disorders including leukaemia, anaemia and immunodeficiency. The application of stem cells to many disease conditions is currently being pursued, however, in order to develop therapeutic interventions knowledge of normal cellular differentiation is crucial. The studies outlined here aim to contribute to the understanding of the these processes and hence help to provide the framework for future studies aimed at more directly altering cell fate decision for clinical applications. Read moreRead less