New genomic technologies are revolutionizing biological research. RNA-seq is a recently developed high-throughput sequencing technology that provides scientists with much more detail how genes are regulated and expressed than any earlier technology. New tools developed by Professor Gordon Smyth are allowing researchers to use RNA-Seq technology to more accurately determine which genes are genuinely changing in the development of cancers and in response to cancer treatments.
The majority of deaths from cancers are due to metastasis. MicroRNAs are gene regulators involved in shaping cellular properties and are known to control metastasis. My work will lead to understanding how the production of microRNAs in cancer cells is controlled, what the major functions of microRNAs are in cancer cells and the discovery of pathways that may be amenable to new forms of therapeutic intervention in cancer.
It is clear that the health and disease burden of offspring can be programmed by events before birth. This project will answer questions as to how this programming occurs. My focus is to understand how the environment affects the oocyte, sperm and embryo and how this impacts on the offspring. We will specifically study the effects of obesity and nutritional status of the parents but also the in vitro environment with a view to improving IVF outcomes.
Translating Novel Vaccine Strategies To Early Phase Clinical Trials
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$855,986.00
Summary
My Fellowship will enable me to further develop and then test in pre-clinical and clinical trials novel vaccine candidates that we are developing to prevent infections with malaria parasites and with Streptococcus pyogenes. Malaria is responsible for the loss of over 600,000 young lives each year and S. pyogenes is responsible for over 500,000 deaths per year. Australia's Indigenous populations suffer the highest reported rates of streptococcal-related pathology worldwide.
Robert McLachlan is an internationally recognised clinician-scientist in male reproductive health. His basic research examines the genetic & endocrine regulation of sperm production. His clinical studies span male fertility regulation, the use of assisted reproductive treatments, and the evidence-based use of androgen replacement. As Director of Andrology Australia, he has a leading national role in professional and community education, developing research capacity and male health advocacy.
There are new genetic technologies on the horizon that will influence decision-making about testing in pregnancy for fetal abnormality and also create a greater need for communication of important genetic information in families. Two areas of my research will focus on these issues. I will also examine how the interaction between genes and the environment during pregnancy, specifically in relation to alcohol use and assisted reproduction, impacts on offspring health and development
This an integrated program of basic research on antigen discovery and immune mechanisms, and preclinical research on novel vaccine platforms, formulations or delivery systems for the rational design and clinical testing of a next generation vaccine against malaria. This interdisciplinary research fosters strong national and international links and offers the potential for significant economic benefit to Australia.