In melanoma we hypothesise there is a series of as yet unidentified gene fusions which provide oncogenic stimulatory signals that promote tumour growth and that these novel fusion products are excellent targets for the design of new therapies to treat melanoma. The aims of this study are to identify oncogenic fusions in melanoma, to assess which of these are recurrent, and to demonstrate that the resulting fusion proteins provide a selective growth and-or survival advantage to the tumour cell.
Identification Of Genes For X-linked Mental Retardation.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$675,228.00
Summary
We propose to identify novel heritable causes of intellectual disability using 22 large and well-characterised families from Australia. In these families we have refined the location of the genetic defect to the chromosome X and excluded the contribution of all so far known genes. We will achieve this using the technology of massive parallel sequencing. At the completion of the project we will have identified novel causes of intellectual disability and devised tests to identify them.
The Role Of The Novel Gene Herpud1 In Insulin Secretion In Type 2 Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$502,370.00
Summary
A reduced ability to secrete insulin is the cause of high blood sugar in type 2 diabetes. This study has identified a gene called Herpud1 that affects insulin secretion. By studying the effects of this gene we are improving our knowledge of the defects that occur in Type 2 diabetes. This has the potential of providing better therapeutic strategies and identifying targets for the developments of better drug development.