A molecular timer for inflammation and cell death. This project aims to improve our understanding of the timely function of the immune system. Most processes fundamental to life rely on the timely execution of cellular functions. One biological system in which timing is paramount is the immune system. Organismal health relies upon this front-line defence system for rapidly detecting invading microbes and inducing an appropriate, and timely, antimicrobial response to clear infection. We do not cu ....A molecular timer for inflammation and cell death. This project aims to improve our understanding of the timely function of the immune system. Most processes fundamental to life rely on the timely execution of cellular functions. One biological system in which timing is paramount is the immune system. Organismal health relies upon this front-line defence system for rapidly detecting invading microbes and inducing an appropriate, and timely, antimicrobial response to clear infection. We do not currently understand how immune responses are temporally coordinated. This proposal aims to address this key knowledge gap by characterising a novel molecular timer that dictates the co-ordinated timing of immune responses and immune cell death. These studies may yield fundamental insight into mammalian anti-microbial mechanisms.Read moreRead less
Understanding how mitochondria divide. This project aims to investigate the molecular mechanism by which mitochondria divide. Mitochondria are the powerhouse within our cells, and they grow and divide in our cells to ensure that they are transferred to daughter cells and also so that older mitochondria can be turned over. The project plans to build on the discovery of mitochondrial membrane proteins that are involved in fission. The results of the project could provide fundamental new knowledge ....Understanding how mitochondria divide. This project aims to investigate the molecular mechanism by which mitochondria divide. Mitochondria are the powerhouse within our cells, and they grow and divide in our cells to ensure that they are transferred to daughter cells and also so that older mitochondria can be turned over. The project plans to build on the discovery of mitochondrial membrane proteins that are involved in fission. The results of the project could provide fundamental new knowledge into how the mitochondrial division machine assembles and how mitochondrial fate is determined.Read moreRead less
The control of chromosome division during female meiosis. Mammalian eggs are stored life-long and finally mature in the hours before ovulation. This project examines how the chromosomes in the egg are separated properly so as to produce a mature egg capable of being fertilized by a sperm. Often in eggs chromosome division is imprecisely executed, and this project will help us understand why this occurs.