This established team of investigators will research into the molecular control of white blood cell formation and function, using a multidisciplinary, team approach to fundamental biological questions with a focus on potential clinical and commercial outcomes. The team will also attempt to identify new validated targets for therapeutic intervention by using both forward and reverse genetic approaches in mice coupled with complete phenotypic analyses of the blood cell system.
Regulation Of Gastric Tumour Invasion And Growth By Gp130 Activating Cytokines.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$625,642.00
Summary
Gastric cancer is a major cause of morbidity and death worldwide. We have previously established a very informative animal model of this disease which has facilitated a new understanding of the diverse role of the IL-6 family of cytokines in regulating gastric tumour growth and dissemination to distant organs. This proposal will focus on how the main members of this cytokine family, namely IL-6 and IL-11, inhibit gastric tumour invasion to other organs, and promote tumour growth respectively . A ....Gastric cancer is a major cause of morbidity and death worldwide. We have previously established a very informative animal model of this disease which has facilitated a new understanding of the diverse role of the IL-6 family of cytokines in regulating gastric tumour growth and dissemination to distant organs. This proposal will focus on how the main members of this cytokine family, namely IL-6 and IL-11, inhibit gastric tumour invasion to other organs, and promote tumour growth respectively . An understanding of these processes will aid in designing therapeutic interventions specific for each cytokine and which may lead to drugs aimed at limiting or reversing this disease.Read moreRead less
Treating and preventing painful fractures could be improved by strengthening cortical bone – the hard outer shell of all bones in the skeleton. We don’t know how cortical bone forms, but if we did, we could improve its strength. We have found that a brain-like network of cells inside the skeleton, called osteocytes, use a specific signal, called SOCS3, to make strong cortical bone. This study will find out how SOCS3 works and find new ways to make cortical bone strong and healthy.
Development Of An Interleukin-11 Signalling Antagonist
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$625,830.00
Summary
Interleukin (IL)-11 is a soluble signalling molecule that is associated with many types of cancer. We have recently discovered that IL-11 signalling is a novel and tractable therapeutic target for the treatment of colon cancer. The aims of this proposal are to understand the structural details of IL-11 signalling. We will use this information to develop new and improved therapeutics for colon cancer.
Many white blood cells have an innate ability to sense infection, and trigger inflammation to fight invading microbes. These innate immune cells use particular receptors to sense pathogens and we have now identified a new pathway that leads to the activation of one of these, known as Pyrin. Genetic mutations can activate this pathway, and our project will determine the molecular basis for this, and how it can be targeted to treat inflammatory disease.