Osteosarcoma is the most common tumour of bone. Recent success in targeting immune checkpoint blockers such as Programmed death-1 (PD-1) in genomically complex tumours suggests that osteosarcomas may be amenable to such strategies. We will characterise the role of the PD-1 pathway in osteosarcoma development and growth. Using preclinical mouse models we will investigate the biology of the PD-1 pathway and study its potential as a therapeutic target in advanced and resectable osteosarcoma.
High-Throughput Discovery Of Synergistic Drug Combinations For Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,526,568.00
Summary
Treatment outcomes for patients with metastatic bowel cancer remain poor, with most tumours developing resistance within 24 months. A key problem is that cancers are genetically diverse, with some cells inevitably resistant to any given treatment. This study aims to discover effective drug combinations targeting distinct essential tumour cell functions through robotics-based pairwise testing of known drugs on bowel cancer cell lines representing the genetic diversity of the disease.
Roles Of Impaired Apoptosis And Differentiation In Tumourigenesis And Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$21,656,910.00
Summary
The ten scientific laboratories in this program have joined forces to investigate two ways in which tumours develop. Both are of particular interest, because they suggest new ways in which cancer might be overcome. Most of our tissues are continually renewed throughout life by production of new cells. Therefore many of the old cells in each tissue must die off to maintain the proper cell numbers. To eliminate cells that are no longer needed or have become damaged, the body has developed a remark ....The ten scientific laboratories in this program have joined forces to investigate two ways in which tumours develop. Both are of particular interest, because they suggest new ways in which cancer might be overcome. Most of our tissues are continually renewed throughout life by production of new cells. Therefore many of the old cells in each tissue must die off to maintain the proper cell numbers. To eliminate cells that are no longer needed or have become damaged, the body has developed a remarkable cell suicide process termed apoptosis. Unfortunately, however, occasionally a random accident to the genes in one of our cells prevents the machinery for apoptosis from being turned on. In that case, the cell will not die when it should and, by continually dividing, it may eventually give rise to a cancer. Since most cancer cells still retain most of the machinery for apoptosis, however, a drug that could switch on this natural cell death machinery would provide a promising new approach to cancer therapy. Identifying and developing such drugs is one major long-term goal of this program. The other focus of our program concerns stem cells. These are rare cells with the remarkable ability to generate an entire tissue. For example, one of our laboratories has identified stem cells that can generate all the cells in the breast. The almost unlimited regenerative capacity of stem cells has a built-in danger. If a stem cell acquires the ability to proliferate excessively, it can go on to form a tumour. Indeed, many cancer researchers now suspect that rare stem cells within a tumour cause its inexorable growth. If tumour growth is maintained by stem cells, it will be essential to develop new forms of therapy that target these rare cancer stem cells rather than merely the bulk of the tumour cells. This is another key long-term goal of our program.Read moreRead less
To study the genetic alterations that give rise to cancer. In particular, exploring how too little death of cells can lead to a tumour. If too few cells in a tissue die, a tumour may develop there. The team is exploring how the cell death process is normally controlled. They plan to characterise the molecules inside cells that determine whether a cell lives or dies and hope that better understanding of those molecules will help to explain how tumours arise. It could also lead to new drugs that c ....To study the genetic alterations that give rise to cancer. In particular, exploring how too little death of cells can lead to a tumour. If too few cells in a tissue die, a tumour may develop there. The team is exploring how the cell death process is normally controlled. They plan to characterise the molecules inside cells that determine whether a cell lives or dies and hope that better understanding of those molecules will help to explain how tumours arise. It could also lead to new drugs that can kill tumour cells more effectively by directly triggering the normal death switch of the cell.Read moreRead less
Molecular Targets Of Amino Acid/neurotransmitter Conjugates Of Fatty Acids
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$846,390.00
Summary
This project investigates endogenous chemicals that affect cells important for detecting and responding to pain. We aim to discover how these compounds affect proteins important for nerve cell function, particularly proteins that have a prominent role in detecting and transmitting painful events. The compounds we examine are not themselves likely to be drugs, but future therapies may involve manipulating the levels of these chemicals in the body, or using drugs that mimic the activity of these c ....This project investigates endogenous chemicals that affect cells important for detecting and responding to pain. We aim to discover how these compounds affect proteins important for nerve cell function, particularly proteins that have a prominent role in detecting and transmitting painful events. The compounds we examine are not themselves likely to be drugs, but future therapies may involve manipulating the levels of these chemicals in the body, or using drugs that mimic the activity of these compounds.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989197
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$225,000.00
Summary
Reaction Kinetics Analysis Facility. This proposal will establish a world-class resource to support major research efforts in a wide range of applications associated with the study of reaction mechanisms and intermediates in systems ranging from small molecules to complex polymers. This facility, which is unique in Australia and strongly builds on the broad expertise of the involved researchers at the participating institutions, will address an important need in the areas of physical-organic and ....Reaction Kinetics Analysis Facility. This proposal will establish a world-class resource to support major research efforts in a wide range of applications associated with the study of reaction mechanisms and intermediates in systems ranging from small molecules to complex polymers. This facility, which is unique in Australia and strongly builds on the broad expertise of the involved researchers at the participating institutions, will address an important need in the areas of physical-organic and physical chemistry by strengthening our capacity for cutting-edge research in reactive intermediate chemistry. The Facility will help to establish frontier technologies in the chemical sciences for building and transforming Australian industries in line with national research priorities.Read moreRead less
Combating Bacterial ‘superbugs‘ By Innovative Dosing Strategies That Combine Available Antibiotics To Prevent Resistance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$547,694.00
Summary
As resistant bacterial ‘superbugs’ are among the 3 most serious threats to global health and as new antibiotics are lacking, innovative strategies to prevent bacterial resistance are urgently needed. This proposal will yield molecular insights on optimal combinations of current beta-lactam antibiotics to maximise bacterial killing without resistance. This project will provide guidance to physicians on how to optimally combine available beta-lactam antibiotics to prevent bacterial resistance.
How Does Fra-1 Regulate The Invasive Properties Of Tumour Cells?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$468,119.00
Summary
Most cancer deaths occur when tumours spread and destroy vital body functions. The invasion of tumour cells into surrounding tissue is a critical step during the spread of cancer. This project aims to unravel the molecular mechanisms that control the ability of tumour cells to invade into surrounding tissue and subsequently spread to other sites in the body. We expect to identify potential targets to better diagnose and treat the spread of cancer.
Agency, Rationality, and Emotion. This project addresses the puzzling and multiple connections between emotion and reason. Emotion, long viewed as an impediment to rationality, actually helps us reason well. Our image of good public deliberation as unemotional needs to be challenged and our understanding of the place of reason and emotion in human life needs to be revised. The project engages and contributes to new international research on emotion and rationality thereby contributing to Austral ....Agency, Rationality, and Emotion. This project addresses the puzzling and multiple connections between emotion and reason. Emotion, long viewed as an impediment to rationality, actually helps us reason well. Our image of good public deliberation as unemotional needs to be challenged and our understanding of the place of reason and emotion in human life needs to be revised. The project engages and contributes to new international research on emotion and rationality thereby contributing to Australia's international reputation for excellence in philosophy.
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