Do Synaptic-like Mechanisms Control Insulin Secretion?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$593,235.00
Summary
An estimated 415 million people world-wide were diagnosed with diabetes in 2015. One of the causal factors in disease is the dysregulation of insulin secretion. We have developed new techniques to study insulin secretion that has led us to propose a new model for secretory control. This proposal sets out experiments to critically test this model. The outcomes could have wide-reaching impact on understanding and for future treatment and prevention of the diabetes.
The Structure And Function Of The Apical Domain In Insulin Secreting Beta Cells.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$571,741.00
Summary
Loss of control of insulin secretion is causal in diabetes and therefore its understanding is a key goal to shed light on the disease. We have recently identified a new domain in the insulin secreting cells, called the apical domain. This proposal will define the role of this apical domain in controlling insulin secretion. The outcomes could provide new insights into how diabetes develops and new targets for therapies.
The Preferential Release Of Young Insulin Secretory Granules.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$670,005.00
Summary
The aim of this study is to investigate the cause of reduced glucose induced insulin secretion in type 2 diabetes. In pancreatic beta-cells, insulin is packaged and stored in secretory granules (SGs). Upon stimulation, these SGs deliver insulin to the bloodstream. It is known that insulin SGs exist in two functionally distinct pools; and one pool is preferentially secreted upon stimulation. How a cell can differentiate the two SG pools is unclear, and we will address this issue in this project.
The Role Of Force-sensing Ion Channels In Melanoma Migration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$553,848.00
Summary
Metastasis of melanoma cells away from the primary tumour site carries a very poor patient prognosis.This research aims to characterise a novel signalling pathway that can regulate the migration (movement) of melanoma cells. This signalling pathway depends on force-sensing platforms that can rapidly convert physical inputs from the environment into an electrical signal within the cell. We are working to understand how these force-sensors function.
From Migrant to Worker: New Transnational Responses to Temporary Labour Migration in East and Southeast Asia. This project compares the nature and impact of civil society initiatives concerning temporary labour migration in Hong Kong, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan. It provides a model for understanding NGO-union cooperation on migrant labour issues, useful not only in East and Southeast Asia, where foreign workers - and foreign workers' rights - are already matters of serious concern, bu ....From Migrant to Worker: New Transnational Responses to Temporary Labour Migration in East and Southeast Asia. This project compares the nature and impact of civil society initiatives concerning temporary labour migration in Hong Kong, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan. It provides a model for understanding NGO-union cooperation on migrant labour issues, useful not only in East and Southeast Asia, where foreign workers - and foreign workers' rights - are already matters of serious concern, but in countries like Australia, where skills shortages and ageing populations are increasing pressure on governments to allow large-scale temporary foreign labour. The project's findings will assist government agencies and local and transnational civil society groups to respond more effectively to temporary labour migration.Read moreRead less
Trans/national activism: Organizing for Domestic Worker Rights in Southeast Asia. This project will contribute to the identified national priority, Safeguarding Australia, by providing a better understanding of the issues surrounding labour migration, including the capacity of NGOs and state governments to address the needs and rights of labour migrants in Southeast Asia. By expanding our understanding of the possibilities for democratisation within the region and contributing to theoretical dev ....Trans/national activism: Organizing for Domestic Worker Rights in Southeast Asia. This project will contribute to the identified national priority, Safeguarding Australia, by providing a better understanding of the issues surrounding labour migration, including the capacity of NGOs and state governments to address the needs and rights of labour migrants in Southeast Asia. By expanding our understanding of the possibilities for democratisation within the region and contributing to theoretical developments on the relationship between state and civil society, this research will also contribute to the national interest in influencing institutional reform and democratic transition in Asia. Read moreRead less
Affinities in Multicultural Australia. Concern has grown in Australia and other advanced societies about perceived threats to social cohesion and national identity through diversity. But are people’s values really so different, and are they directly related to ethnicity? This project will provide the first systematic analysis of the affinities (similarities in values and practices) that link diverse groups and individuals in multicultural Australia. It will examine whether such affinities can ou ....Affinities in Multicultural Australia. Concern has grown in Australia and other advanced societies about perceived threats to social cohesion and national identity through diversity. But are people’s values really so different, and are they directly related to ethnicity? This project will provide the first systematic analysis of the affinities (similarities in values and practices) that link diverse groups and individuals in multicultural Australia. It will examine whether such affinities can outweigh differences and provide the basis for local belonging in multi-ethnic neighbourhoods. The Affinities Project turns the current emphasis on difference on its head. It will provide a new knowledge base, crucial to social scientific analysis as well as to policy formation.Read moreRead less
Inconsistent migration data in the Asia Pacific. This project aims to develop statistical models of population movements in the Asia-Pacific regionto harmonise, correct for errors and estimate annual flows by origin, destination, age and sex. International migration is increasing and thriving in the Asia-Pacific region but data on the annual movements and pathways are largely unknown because the data are unavailable for cross-national comparison. This is surprising considering the region makes u ....Inconsistent migration data in the Asia Pacific. This project aims to develop statistical models of population movements in the Asia-Pacific regionto harmonise, correct for errors and estimate annual flows by origin, destination, age and sex. International migration is increasing and thriving in the Asia-Pacific region but data on the annual movements and pathways are largely unknown because the data are unavailable for cross-national comparison. This is surprising considering the region makes up over three-fifths of the world’s population. The results are expected to form a basis for understanding the dynamics and complexity of migration in countries near Australia.Read moreRead less
Comparative Border Studies. While borders are of increasing interest to Australian scholars and policy-makers, much existing research in Australia is focused on issues of border security or border integrity. There is an urgent need to supplement this work with theoretical and empirical insights drawn from the field of border studies. North America is a key site for international research in this field. Collaboration with North American scholars is thus an important step in developing and expandi ....Comparative Border Studies. While borders are of increasing interest to Australian scholars and policy-makers, much existing research in Australia is focused on issues of border security or border integrity. There is an urgent need to supplement this work with theoretical and empirical insights drawn from the field of border studies. North America is a key site for international research in this field. Collaboration with North American scholars is thus an important step in developing and expanding Australian expertise in border studies. This project will provide the intellectual environment and collaborative networks necessary to establish the first dedicated Centre for Border Studies in Australia.Read moreRead less
Home and away?: Defining and conceptualising rural youth migration in Australia. The project addresses the Priority Goal of 'Strengthening Australia's social and economic health' in seeking a more precise understanding of the causes and actual migration pathways of Australian rural youth, and the extent to which these migrants return to their home regions. This understanding is critical for future key service delivery planning (e.g. health, including aged care), for labour force development plan ....Home and away?: Defining and conceptualising rural youth migration in Australia. The project addresses the Priority Goal of 'Strengthening Australia's social and economic health' in seeking a more precise understanding of the causes and actual migration pathways of Australian rural youth, and the extent to which these migrants return to their home regions. This understanding is critical for future key service delivery planning (e.g. health, including aged care), for labour force development planning (e.g. likely local demand for TAFE places). Relatedly, the project's findings should enable more reliable regional population projections and estimates and facilitate the development of locally-specific strategies to both retain rural youth and attract ex-migrants back.Read moreRead less