Cellular Regulation Of Receptor Signalling And Cytokine Responses
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$859,288.00
Summary
Cell surface receptors and signalling pathways elicit the release of cytokines, or chemical messengers, to control inflammation, which is the body’s response to infection or danger. We have discovered a new signalling pathway that can turn off inflammation and help prevent inflammatory disease. Our studies will now define the molecular details of this pathway and show how new and existing drugs targeting this pathway can be optimally used to treat inflammation and cancer.
Sphingosine Kinase As A Target For Anti-cancer Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$590,785.00
Summary
Sphingosine kinase is a protein involved in the development and progression of numerous types of solid tumors and leukaemias. We have recently made a major break-through by identifing how the cancer-inducing activity of sphingosine kinase is controlled. In this study we will target these control mechanisms to develop potential new anti-cancer therapies.
Why Is The Hijacking Of A Human Erythrocyte Signalling Pathway Essential For Malaria Infection?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$510,890.00
Summary
Malaria drug resistance is spreading and the world needs cost-effective new drugs. We found 2 human enzymes, known targets of cancer chemotherapy, to be key for parasite survival in red blood cells. We aim to understand why these human proteins are crucial for the parasite and to identify new human proteins hijacked by malaria. This will open exciting options for antimalarial drug discovery: to harness funds invested in cancer drugs by targeting proteins with dual roles in cancer and malaria.
Only recently has it emerged that our cells have a built-in backup mechanism that instructs cells to die in extreme cases, such as when viruses have hijacked a cell. A misfiring backup mechanism is thought to underlie a number of human diseases, including inflammatory disease. Our investigation will establish a starting point for the development of novel anti-inflammatory drugs.
Targetting The CIB1-sphingosine Kinase Interaction In Oncogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$805,034.00
Summary
Sphingosine kinase is a protein involved in cancer development and progression. We have identified that the cancer-inducing activity of sphingosine kinase is controlled by another protein called CIB1 which itself appears involved in causing cancer by deregulating sphingosine kinase. In this study we will examine and target the interaction between sphingosine kinase and CIB1 as a potential therapeutic intervention in cancer.
Understanding SOCS3 Inhibition Of JAK Activity In Myeloproliferative Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$524,820.00
Summary
The myeloproliferative disorders are diseases in which abnormal blood cell development leads to a risk of stroke, thrombosis, hemorrhage and leukemia. Remarkably, three of these disorders are caused by an error in a single enzyme that makes it over active. The enzyme, JAK2, controls how cells respond to hormone-like messengers called cytokines. We are investigating a cellular pathway that inhibits this enzyme in order to understand the progression and potential treatment of the disorders.