Using Gene Delivery Tools To Understand And Treat Skeletal Muscle-related Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$459,270.00
Summary
As a muscle biologist, I study the mechanisms that regulate skeletal muscle size, so that we can develop therapies for muscle wasting. What sets my research apart is my combination of expertise in muscle biology, and the use of recombinant viral vectors for altering the expression of specific genes exclusively in skeletal muscles. Our approaches enable us to study the inner workings of muscles in ways others cannot, and develop promising new therapies for treating muscle diseases.
The adult heart has an extremely limited capacity for regeneration. In contrast, I recently discovered that the newborn heart can completely regenerate following a heart attack. How and why the heart loses this regenerative capacity after birth is not known. This Fellowship aims to unravel the genetic circuits that govern cardiac regenerative capacity. The proposed research program will develop novel therapies for heart regeneration through molecular targeting of regulatory RNA molecules.
Using Human 3D Engineered Heart Tissue For Discovery Of Novel Biology And Novel Therapeutics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,048.00
Summary
The goal of this project is to develop a model of miniaturised 3D human heart tissue for research into cardiac biology and also drug discovery applications. This will hopefully result in better, cheaper drugs in the future with less reliance on animal testing.
Determining The Role Of Oxytocin And Associated Analogues In Treatments For Social Dysfunction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$466,492.00
Summary
This proposal develops a research hub to study, understand and develop innovative treatments for social difficulties observed across mental health conditions. It identifies treatment targets to improve social difficulties, determines who is likely to respond to these targets, and shows how these benefits can be tracked in patients. To achieve these goals, this proposal places this laboratory at the centre of broad international and collaborative research, facilitating innovative training and pra ....This proposal develops a research hub to study, understand and develop innovative treatments for social difficulties observed across mental health conditions. It identifies treatment targets to improve social difficulties, determines who is likely to respond to these targets, and shows how these benefits can be tracked in patients. To achieve these goals, this proposal places this laboratory at the centre of broad international and collaborative research, facilitating innovative training and practice within Australian society.Read moreRead less
Improving The Health And Development Of High Risk Preterm Newborns
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$338,381.00
Summary
Preterm children have more health and developmental problems than those born full term. Although we know the problems faced by those tiniest and most immature, more questions remain. What problems do they face as adults? What new treatments are available to improve their outcomes? Are the more “mature” preterms at risk as well? My research program aims to address these questions through the efforts of the Victorian Infant Collaborative Study team, a large research team that I lead.
Nfi Genes Regulate The Switch Between Neurogenesis And Gliogenesis During Cortical Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$387,489.00
Summary
Cells within the brain fall into two categories; neurons or glia. Importantly, both derive from a common progenitor population, the radial glia, during development. Early in development radial glia produce neurons, while later they generate glia. The genes which control the switch from neuron production to glia production remain poorly defined. I propose to investigate how this switch is controlled in radial glia, focussing on a family of proteins known to regulate gene transcription.
The Role Of The Zinc Finger Transcriptional Repressor Znf238 During Nerve Cell Maturation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$394,264.00
Summary
Proper foetal brain assembly is critical for brain function, but the underlying genetic mechanisms remain poorly defined. In this study, I will investigate a family of proteins that “turn on” neural gene expression in combination with another protein that “turns off” their expression during nerve cell development. Understanding this novel on/off mechanism for controlling gene expression in newborn nerve cells will further our understanding of how the brain is assembled.