Identification Of The Molecular Hallmarks Of Naevi Progressing To Melanoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,644.00
Summary
Melanomas are amongst the most commonly occurring cancers in Australia with >136,000 people living with a previous melanoma diagnosis. One of the highest risk factors for developing melanoma is having a high number of moles (or naevi). It is therefore important to fully understand how and why naevi develop into melanoma. It is hoped that early detection markers will be identified which will help identify early melanomas and as such improve patient outcome.
REGULATION OF PROTEIN KINASES AND THEIR SUBSTRATES
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,296,159.00
Summary
Protein kinases are important regulatory enzymes involved in the control of virtually all physiological processes at the cellular level. The human genome is thought to contain approximately 1500 protein kinases to control these processes. These enzymes add phosphate groups to target proteins to modify their functions in a reversible manner with protein phosphatases removing the phosphate groups. This project is concerned with studying a metabolic stress sensing protein kinase called the AMP acti ....Protein kinases are important regulatory enzymes involved in the control of virtually all physiological processes at the cellular level. The human genome is thought to contain approximately 1500 protein kinases to control these processes. These enzymes add phosphate groups to target proteins to modify their functions in a reversible manner with protein phosphatases removing the phosphate groups. This project is concerned with studying a metabolic stress sensing protein kinase called the AMP activated protein kinase and its substrates. During periods of high energy demand such as vigorous exercise or nutrient stress induced by starvation or ischaemia the AMP activated protein kinase is responsible for shutting down energy requiring metabolic pathways and accelerating metabolism including glucose uptake and fatty acid metabolism to restore cellular energy levels. The AMP activated protein kinase regulates key enzymes in the control of cholesterol and lipid (fatty acid) synthesis as well as endothelial NO synthase, a key regulator of blood pressure and platelet activity. For these reasons it is potentially important in cardiovascular disease. The AMP activated protein kinase also appears responsible for exercise induced glucose uptake and it is known that exercise helps restore glucose control in age onset or type II diabetic patients. Since the AMP acitivated protein kinase accelerates fatty acid metabolism it may also have a role in obesity. While many factors are thought to be involved in cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity the AMP activated protein kinase is a key metabolic regulatory enzyme relevant to the most important diseases in Australia. Understanding the structure and function of the AMP activated protein kinase as well as the genes that encode this enzyme is an important goal.Read moreRead less
Quantitative Proteomic Analysis Of Faecal Biomarkers For Colon Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$562,398.00
Summary
We have identified a number of potential biomarkers present in the stools of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). We will use quantitative mass spectrometric techniques that we have developed to validate these biomarkers on a large number of faecal samples from patients with CRC and multiple control groups. We believe these studies will lead to a new panel of biomarkers which will improve the detection of early forms of colon cancer, thus reducing death from this disease.
Randomized Controlled Trial Of A Video-delivered Intervention For The Early Detection Of Melanoma In Men 50+ Years
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$511,694.00
Summary
Unfortunately, men over 50 years are most at risk to die from melanoma. Skin self-examination, where a man inspects the skin of his whole body with the help of a mirror or another person, and rapid presentation to a doctor without delay if he detects a suspicious lesion has the potential to increase awareness for the skin and to improve early diagnosis. We want to assess if we can increase the rate of skin self-examination in men 50 years and over through a video-delivered intervention.
Prospective Methylation Biomarker Validation Study In Lung Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$528,281.00
Summary
Lung cancer is a major public health burden with increasing incidence every year. Despite advances, the biology of lung cancer associated with its recurrence either local or distant, with non-smoking lung cancer subtypes and asbestos-related lung cancer remains unexplored.