Osteal Macrophages: Novel Regulators Of Osteoblast Function And The Endosteal Stem Cell Niche
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$406,125.00
Summary
Bone diseases are a major health problem and current treatments are inadequate. We are investigating a novel role for macrophages (cells important in tissue maintenance and immune responses) in bone growth, repair and disease. Greater understanding of this will provide new ways to treat bone disease. We will also determine if these macrophages help support stem cells that reside near bone surfaces, which may provide new treatment strategies to improve bone marrow transplantation in cancer.
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia And The Bone Marrow Microenvironment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$420,872.00
Summary
This research aims to identify new drugs for the treatment of childhood and adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We have identified drugs that interfere with interactions between the bone marrow and leukemic cells and hypothesise that these will increase the potency of currently used chemotherapy. We will test these agents in animal models of human leukemia. By analysing the effects of these new drugs we will also understand how we can further improve treatments.
The emerging interdisciplinary field, mechanobiology, is focused on understanding how cells sense their surroundings and transfer biomechanical signals to initiate cellular changes. I aim to develop hydrogel platforms with differential stiffness patterns to study cellular mechanotransduction and to generate heart muscle cells. The findings have the potential to greatly improve the clinical outcomes where more than 10 clinical trials failed to show successful regeneration after heart attack.
Understanding The Mechanisms Underlying Airway Remodelling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$451,716.00
Summary
Changes in the structure of the lung contribute to the development of disease, but are not responsive to our current therapies. I have found two key structural proteins that are altered in asthma. This research will characterise the regulation and role of these proteins in the disease process. In addition, it will determine if these proteins also contribute to the development of other serious fibrotic diseases, for which there are no current treatments.
Characterisation And Therapeutic Targeting Of Molecular Pathways That Promote Breast Cancer Metastasis To Bone
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$442,573.00
Summary
Breast cancer that has spread to bone cannot be cured. Using the most clinically relevant model of breast cancer available we have identified that tumour cells growing in bone need to suppress immune elimination (by suppressing the Type I interferons) and invade through the bone tissue (by activation of cysteine cathepsins). Studying the functional role of these pathways will provide novel insight into the mechanisms of breast cancer spread to bone that can be augmented therapeutically.
Psychiatric Disorders, Psychotropic Agents And Bone Health: From Benchtop To Bedside.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$447,744.00
Summary
Just under half of all people with a psychiatric disorder have a chronic physical illness. One common and neglected comorbidity is osteoporosis. Dr Williams has brought together a multi-disciplinary team of researchers and clinicians that are gathering laboratory through to clinical evidence regarding the interplay between psychiatric disorders, the medication used to treat these disorders and bone health with the aim of informing clinical practice and guiding clinical choice.
New Approaches To The Prevention And Treatment Of Musculoskeletal Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$466,492.00
Summary
In Australia, musculoskeletal conditions like osteoarthritis and back pain are responsible for much pain and disability. Although until recently these were considered to be purely due to wear and tear, Associate Professor Wluka, a rheumatologist, has shown that these are not simply due to overuse and loading but metabolic factors also play a role. This award will enable the role of these factors to be examined and new therapies tested in clinical trials, providing evidence to improve the managem ....In Australia, musculoskeletal conditions like osteoarthritis and back pain are responsible for much pain and disability. Although until recently these were considered to be purely due to wear and tear, Associate Professor Wluka, a rheumatologist, has shown that these are not simply due to overuse and loading but metabolic factors also play a role. This award will enable the role of these factors to be examined and new therapies tested in clinical trials, providing evidence to improve the management of these conditions.Read moreRead less