Targeting Neurovascular Communication As A Novel Way Of Reducing Vision Loss In Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$986,663.00
Summary
Diabetes is a leading cause of blindness. Here, we evaluate whether diabetes causes changes in the way neurons signal to blood vessels, and whether blocking some of the signals from neurons reduces blood vessel abormalities. Overall, this information is critical to our understanding of the early changes that occur during diabetes and whether novel treatments used early in diabetes can prevent long term changes and vision loss.
Dissecting Brain Network Ageing Using Whole Brain Imaging
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$692,964.00
Summary
In this proposal, we will make the first attempt to map the whole brain activity change during ageing using a series of state-of-the-art techniques. We will also identify genetic and pharmacological interventions that improve brain network function during ageing. Outcomes from this research will provide an unprecedented understanding of functional ageing within the brain and identify therapeutic interventions to prevent this process.
Organisation Of The Genome During The Development Of Antibody-secreting Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$886,155.00
Summary
Each cell of our body contains over two metres of DNA that must be correctly packaged in order for our cells to function. We are using cutting-edge molecular biology techniques to study how this DNA circuitry is established in the white blood cells of our immune system that produce antibodies. Our novel approaches will reveal unique strategies to modulate immune responses to our benefit.
A Novel Interaction Between The Immune And Vascular Systems In Early-onset Preeclampsia; An Opportunity For New Treatments?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$921,623.00
Summary
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication that leads to poor birth outcomes and elevated lifelong cardiovascular disease risk in 4 million women each year. It has no cure and treatments are limited because the causal mechanisms are not understood. We have identified a specialised immune cell in the mother's blood that assists blood vessels to function properly in pregnancy. We will assess whether interventions to enhance these cells can improve poor blood vessel function and pregnancy outcomes.
About one in eight known genetic disorders involve DNA alteration that activates a cellular quality control mechanism that disables the affected gene. This mechanism is more efficient in some individuals than others. It can influence disease outcomes and severity. We will engineer and apply tools and models to measure and manipulate this crucial cellular mechanism. This will allow us to predict disease severity as well as to intervene where a manipulation of this mechanism will be beneficial.
Investigating The Consequences Of Dysregulated Lipogenesis In Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,647.00
Summary
Reprogramming of cellular metabolism is a hallmark of cancer. As such, there has been growing interest in developing strategies to exploit metabolism for therapeutic gain. Our ability to do this is dependent on a thorough understanding of the mechanisms by which dysregulation of cellular metabolism contributes to tumour progression. In this project, we seek to the investigate the fundamental mechanisms by which aberrant activation of lipid metabolism contributes to the tumourigenic process.
Reprogramming Human Fibroblasts Into Induced Trophoblast Stem Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$889,064.00
Summary
We have been able to generate artificial human trophectoderm which is the tissue that creates the placenta. This will allow us to do research in how the genes control the fate of these cells without the need of human embryos or placenta. We anticipate that the derivation and characterising these cells will revolutionise placenta research, which in turn will contribute to the establishment of new therapies for placenta disease and infertility.
Advancing The Spatial Analysis Of Cells In Tissues To Profile The Tumour Microenvironment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$187,918.00
Summary
Tumours are composed of a mix of different cells, including cancer cells, immune cells and other cells supporting tumour growth. These cells are not organised randomly, but rather are distributed in specific patterns. Here we will develop computational methods to detect these patterns and determine what statistical tests should be used to compare samples. This project will give us the tools to investigate how the location of cells in tissues relates to treatment response and survival.
Stopping Breast Cancer Progression By Targeting Tumour Stroma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$772,877.00
Summary
Our latest research demonstrated that CRELD2 protein that is secreted by breast cancer cells alters normal cells surrounding tumour. CRELD2 represents an ideal therapeutic target as it is not important for normal cells and it is a secreted protein and thus can be targeted by numerous means. Successful completion of this research proposal will provide foundation to find new targets for combining therapies affecting both tumour and it's altered environment in breast and potentially other cancers.
Understanding The Molecular Mechanisms Of Cell Death In Radiotherapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$643,856.00
Summary
Radiotherapy (RT) is responsible for 40% of cancer cures. New technology enables RT delivery in fewer treatments using higher radiation dosages through a technique called 'ART'. While ART is effective in the clinic, the underlying mechanisms of cancer cell death are unclear. Here we show that ART induces two distinct waves of cancer cell death. We will characterize these waves of cell death and determine how to enhance tumour cell killing with pharmacological intervention.