Control Of Organ Size During Development And Disease By The Salvadore-Warts-Hippo Pathway
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$331,674.00
Summary
Cancer is a disease that results from the generation of too many cells. Many signalling pathways control cell number including the newly identified Salvador-Warts-Hippo pathway. We are studying the mechanisms by which activity of this pathway is controlled, using the vinegar fly as a model. Information obtained from our study will aid understanding of human cancer as cellular processes which go awry in cancer, such as cell proliferation and death, are highly conserved between flies and humans.
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.
Mechanisms Of Abnormal Expression Of The IGF2 Gene In Disorders Affectin Foetal Growth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$420,872.00
Summary
The IGF2 gene is crucial for foetal growth. Only the copy inherited from the father is active, a phenomenon named parental imprinting. In some children with foetal overgrowth or growth retardation, the deregulation of imprinting of the IGF2 gene during the first days of foetal development will influence subsequent growth and will also have major implications in post-natal and adult life. We will investigate the mechanisms resulting in abnormal imprinting of IGF2 early in development.
Fetal Cardiovascular Development And The Impact Of Chronic Hypoxia And Fetal Growth Restriction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$307,232.00
Summary
Low birth weight occurs in 7% of Australian babies and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in adult life. Understanding the mechanisms underlying heart and blood vessel development in low birth weight babies will lead to improved identification and intervention in those individuals at risk of cardiovascular disease in adult life, improving heart health for Australians. Reducing cardiovascular disease will improve both quality and quantity of life for Australians.
Development Of Endogenous Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) Antagonism As A New Therapeutic Approach To Inflammatory Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$401,561.00
Summary
Neutrophils play a pivotal role in inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). G-CSF is a growth factor that is important to neutrophil survival and function. We have shown that in the absence of G-CSF the incidence and severity of experimental autoimmune arthritis are reduced. We will investigate the mechanisms by which this occurs as well as studying the effects of G-CSF blockade on function and survival of human neutrophils from healthy donors and RA patients.