This project aims to comprehensively evaluate the role of androgen receptor (AR) signalling in breast cancer by identifying changes in AR signalling and its role in an endocrine resistant setting. Understanding the changes in AR signalling in either treatment-naive or treatment-resistant context would better assist in the identification for opportunities to modulate AR signalling as a therapeutic target in breast cancer.
Inflammasomes: molecular drivers of anti-microbial defence. The innate immune system is the body’s first line of defence against infection, but also drives unhealthy inflammation. Families of innate immune receptors, such as nucleotide-binding oligomerisation domain (NOD-like Receptors), were recently discovered to control both anti-microbial defence and unhealthy inflammation. This project will characterise the basic biology of NOD-like Receptors at the molecular, cellular and organismal levels ....Inflammasomes: molecular drivers of anti-microbial defence. The innate immune system is the body’s first line of defence against infection, but also drives unhealthy inflammation. Families of innate immune receptors, such as nucleotide-binding oligomerisation domain (NOD-like Receptors), were recently discovered to control both anti-microbial defence and unhealthy inflammation. This project will characterise the basic biology of NOD-like Receptors at the molecular, cellular and organismal levels, and will thereby lead to a greater understanding of the fundamental biological pathways controlling inflammation and defence against infection. This may ultimately lead to commercial opportunities for treating infection and chronic inflammation.Read moreRead less
Integrating Wnt-Apc Pathway With TGF-beta Signalling In Colon Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$342,364.00
Summary
Colon cancer is one of the leading causes of death of all cancers. Two molecular pathways have been independently implicated in colon cancer development. Emerging evidences suggest that the two pathways may work together in the colon polypus formation. This application will integrate two separate molecular causes to form a new coherent understanding of cancer development and offer new directions in development of novel colon cancer treatment.
Overcoming Therapeutic Resistance In Pancreatic Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$924,901.00
Summary
Pancreatic cancers arise when abnormal cells grow out from otherwise normal tissue. The resulting tumours contain a number of different types of cells, some of which help the tumour to grow, and some of which fight the tumour. We are interested in understanding how soluble molecules called cytokines influence the cells that promote tumour growth and metastasis. In particular, we will test whether cytokine inhibitors can overcome tumour resistance to chemotherapy.
Cancer causes significant morbidity and mortality in Australia’s aging population. There is strong evidence that abnormal blood vessels in tumours limit drug access and drive metastases. We have identified a molecule which controls vessel remodelling in tumours. In this proposal we will study mechanisms on how the molecule itself is regulated with the aim to normalize blood vessels for improved therapy.
Identifying Novel Genome Instability Signatures In Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,891.00
Summary
Cancer is the single biggest clinical problem facing the world. An underlying hallmark of cancer is the accumulation of errors in the genetic information of a cell which arises through genomic instability. This research project aims to investigate novel molecules identified by our screening that function in response to genomic instability in cancer. This study is expected to define roles for each molecule in the maintenance of genomic stability and predict for patient diagnosis and outcome.
Programmed cell death signalling in innate immunity. This proposal aims to address the under-explored potential for programmed cell death to promote innate immune cell signalling, which is a critical and fundamental biological process. It aims to generate new knowledge in the areas of cell death and innate signalling using innovative interdisciplinary approaches and discover new molecules that impact innate inflammatory responses. The expected outcomes of this project are to enhance our basic un ....Programmed cell death signalling in innate immunity. This proposal aims to address the under-explored potential for programmed cell death to promote innate immune cell signalling, which is a critical and fundamental biological process. It aims to generate new knowledge in the areas of cell death and innate signalling using innovative interdisciplinary approaches and discover new molecules that impact innate inflammatory responses. The expected outcomes of this project are to enhance our basic understanding of cell death, and build interdisciplinary collaborations. This work should provide significant benefit to the economy and health of Australians, as it is expected to identify molecules that will be of interest to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.Read moreRead less
Understanding The Role Of The IL11-Stat3-Th17 Signaling Axis In Gastrointestinal Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$531,743.00
Summary
Gastrointestinal cancers arise when abnormal cells grow out from otherwise normal tissue. The resulting tumours contain a number of different types of cells, some of which help the tumour to grow, and some of which fight the tumour. We are interested in understanding how soluble molecules called cytokines influence the cells that promote tumour growth. In particular, we will explore the role of a cytokine called Interleukin-11 in these processes to identify novel cancer therapies.
Investigating The Cellular Requirement For STIM1 Phosphorylation And Store-operated Calcium Entry Suppression During Mitosis: Roles In Development And Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$344,900.00
Summary
Cells are constantly interacting with and modifying their surrounding environment. The intracellular calcium signal is one mechanism cells use to translate signals from the microenvironment into cellular responses. This proposal seeks to explore why a key calcium signalling pathway, known as store-operated calcium entry, is specifically silenced during cell division, and to determine how reversing this inhibition affects cell division during normal development and in cancer.
Regulator Of G Protein Signalling-5 Loss And Gain Of Function In Vivo
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$625,428.00
Summary
Cancer and cardiovascular diseases are amongst the largest causes of morbidity and mortality in Western populations. We have identified a molecule, called Regulator of G protein signalling 5 (RGS5), which is involved in vessel remodelling in both diseases. This molecule is a prime candidate for drug development. We will study the precise role of RGS5 in sophisticated preclinical models which will create future opportunities for urgent therapy.