Cytotoxic lymphocytes are immune cells responsible for the killing infected or cancerous cells. How cytotoxic lymphocytes mature from a naive inactive to a fully activated state as they encounter infected or malignant cells is poorly understood, and will be investigated in the current proposal. Our results will aid in the development of novel therapies for cancer and other immunological diseases.
Cellular And Molecular Characterization Of Erythroid Enucleation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$671,950.00
Summary
A major challenge for transfusion medicine is the constant difficulties in obtaining enough supply of specific red blood cell (RBC) subtypes. In this proposal, we will identify the key steps of enucleation (extrusion of nucleus), a rate limiting process for the in vitro production of RBCs. A better understanding of this process will lead to improved strategies for the efficient and rapid production of self-generated RBCs for individual patient transfusion.
Investigating The Cellular Response To Iron-Depletion: The Trilogy Of ASK1, Thioredoxin And Ribonucleotide Reductase
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$552,572.00
Summary
Iron is crucial for many essential biological processes. Recently, we demonstrated that iron-depletion can affects important signalling pathways (e.g., JNK and p38) that play important roles in growth arrest and apoptosis. This study is designed to investigate the cellular and molecular effects of iron depletion which currently remains unclear. The research is crucial for understanding: (1) the effects of iron deficiency and (2) for understanding the effects of iron chelators that are used for t ....Iron is crucial for many essential biological processes. Recently, we demonstrated that iron-depletion can affects important signalling pathways (e.g., JNK and p38) that play important roles in growth arrest and apoptosis. This study is designed to investigate the cellular and molecular effects of iron depletion which currently remains unclear. The research is crucial for understanding: (1) the effects of iron deficiency and (2) for understanding the effects of iron chelators that are used for treating various diseases.Read moreRead less
The Microenvironmental Niche In Cancer Progression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$562,742.00
Summary
It is well accepted that the cells in the local environment of cancers can help to promote the growth and spread of tumour cells. We have shown that a cell type known as the pericyte previously thought to be involved in controlling tumour expansion by affecting new blood vessel formation, may directly influence tumour growth, a notion that will be tested in human skin and ovarian cancer models. We will also test if pericyte markers can predict those cancer patients at greater risk of relapse.
Axonal Fusion To Promote Nerve Repair: Molecules And Mechanisms.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$456,189.00
Summary
Nerve injuries are in most cases untreatable, leaving patients with high level of disabilities for the rest of their life. Understanding the molecular mechanism regulating nerve regeneration is critical to develop new drugs and design innovative therapies. We discovered molecules that mediates axonal repair by favouring the stitching together of the two separated fragments of an axon. We aim to study how they functions to possibly exploit a similar mechanism of repair for human injuries.
Understanding The Ancestry Of De Novo Blood Formation In The Early Embryo
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$484,666.00
Summary
Current laboratory methods rely on a hit-or-miss approach for the production of such cells, making the prospect of producing patient-specific cells an inefficient/financially prohibitive process. This project aims to generate new knowledge into when and how fate of early blood cells in selected in nature. With this information we will be able to devise effective blood progenitor cell production strategies in the laboratory.
Understanding Axonal Fusion: An Alternative Mechanism To Repair Injured Axons.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$648,447.00
Summary
Being able to repair an injured nerve by stitching the two damages sections back together is an incredible challenge in neurosurgery, and a highly desired outcome for the surgeon as well as for the patient suffering a spinal cord or peripheral injury. We have discovered molecules that mediate nerve repair by favouring the reconnection of the two separated fragments. We will study how they function, and if they can be applied to repair injured mammalian neurons.
Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Induction Of Haematopoietic Stem Cells In The Embryo
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$577,573.00
Summary
Hematopoiesis, the processes of making blood cells, represents one of the best-defined paradigms for studying stem cell biology, but our understanding of how theses cells form in the embryo is incomplete.Our preliminary studies have revealed the existence of a novel "buddy cell" that directly regulates the induction of blood stem cells. This grant seeks to further these observations, and its general aim is to identify the molecular signals that the buddy cell uses to make blood stem cells
Identification And Study Of Novel Conserved Molecule With An Axonal Protective Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$625,005.00
Summary
Axonal degeneration is a common feature of a number of neurodegenerative conditions, such as motor neuron, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s diseases. However, the genetic causes that regulate this biological event are poorly understood. We have identified a novel, conserved axonal protective molecule. We will study how it functions, and if it can be exploited to protect diseased neurons.
T cells play a central role in the immune response. The primary event in T cell activation is the triggering of a specific T cell receptor (TCR). Our studies will define new mechanisms for the regulation of TCR-mediated T cell responses. Our studies may yield novel insight into processes that contribute to the development of type 1 diabetes & inflammatory bowel disease.