Understanding How RUVBL1 And RUVBL2 Organise Chromosomes And Their Links To Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$605,005.00
Summary
Our proposal will provide a deep mechanistic framework to inform both clinicians in diagnosis and management of RUVBL related diseases and also therapeutically, as industry looks to use these proteins as drug targets. The great excitement of RUVBL in translation has outpaced the gathering of vital knowledge underpinning the function; knowledge this proposal will provide for the first time.
MicroRNA Pathway Control Of Immune Cell Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,370.00
Summary
The immune system is comprised of many different cell types, each with a specialised function. Many are short-lived and must be continually replenished throughout life. Abnormalities in this process underlie many human diseases, including immunodeficiency, autoimmunity and cancer. My laboratory seeks to understand the molecular pathways that control development of immune cells and to identify the defects that lead to disease.
Determining recurrence risk in breast cancer is crucial, as more than half of all recurrences occur after 5 years. However, optimal management of breast cancer is hampered by the challenges in finding rational preventative and predictive targets. Our vision is to find targets responsible for progenitor cell expansion, as candidates for prevention, and to find markers of relapse, to predict early versus late responders to therapy.
The Hippo pathway is a key regulator of tissue growth. It was first discovered in vinegar flies and plays a similar role in mammals. We aim to define the mechanism by which the different transcription factors in the Hippo pathway operate to control tissue growth. These studies will be performed in flies and mammalian cell culture. Our studies will shed light on how tissue growth is controlled, and have the potential to inform the way that we treat human cancers and tissue growth disorders.
Mechanisms For Regulation Of Myc Transcription And Cell Growth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,347.00
Summary
We aim to use the animal model system, the vinegar fly, to investigate mechanism for cancer initiation. The fly has been studied for over 90 years and has proved an excellent genetic model for understanding the complex processes leading to abnormal cell growth, which is associated with the early stages of human cancer. The high level of conservation between fly genes and human cancer genes means these studies will provide novel insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying tumour formation.
Elucidating The Tumour Suppressor Behaviour Of FUBP1 In Glioma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$940,780.00
Summary
Treatment strategies for patients with invasive brain tumours are based on a WHO tumour grading system. This system does not account for differences within tumour types, although these can significantly affect treatment outcomes. This project aims to investigate new drug therapies for specific brain tumour types, and to identify new prognostic markers for these tumours. These studies will lead to more individualised treatments, which is critical to improving patient survival and quality of life.
Dissecting The Molecular Mechanisms During Reprogramming Of Different Somatic Cells Into Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells And The Plasticity Potential Of Their Intermediate Stages.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$234,965.00
Summary
I am a biochemist interested in the molecular mechanisms involved in gene expression and how these processes govern cell identity. I use a combination of mouse models, biochemical techniques and bioinformatics to study the _reprogramming� of adult cells into embryonic stem-like cells and how this technology can be used to generate different cell types for use in cellular replacement therapies and drug screening.
CDK4 Activity In S/G2 Phases Influences Mitotic Fidelity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$531,696.00
Summary
The ultraviolet radiation component of the sunlight is a major environmental factor in the development of skin cancers, including melanomas. Over the past 10 years a genetic factors have also been identified that predispose towards developing melanoma, although the connection between ultraviolet radiation and the genetic factors has remained elusive. In this study we will investigate a cellular mechanism that potentially explains the link between sunlight exposure and one of the genetic risk fac ....The ultraviolet radiation component of the sunlight is a major environmental factor in the development of skin cancers, including melanomas. Over the past 10 years a genetic factors have also been identified that predispose towards developing melanoma, although the connection between ultraviolet radiation and the genetic factors has remained elusive. In this study we will investigate a cellular mechanism that potentially explains the link between sunlight exposure and one of the genetic risk factors. We will also examine whether targeting the pathway this genetic factor normally operates in can deliver increased therapeutic benefit to an existing chemotherapeutic treatment.Read moreRead less
Defining The Molecular Events That Initiate The Genesis Of Lymphatic Vessels.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$555,325.00
Summary
Lymphatic vessels are a vital component of the cardiovascular system. Abnormalities in the growth and development of lymphatic vessels are associated with human disorders including lymphoedema, cancer and inflammatory diseases. The focus of this application is to determine the molecular events that initiate the construction of lymphatic vessels, with the aim of identifying targets to which novel therapeutics for the treatment of lymphatic vascular diseases could be generated.
Alternative Splicing- A Regulatory Mechanism Determining Self-renewal And Pluripotency Of ES And IPS Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$664,650.00
Summary
Stem cells hold great promise in cell replacement therapies and may provide models to study human diseases and to screen new pharmaceuticals. For successful future therapeutic applications, a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing the behavior of stem cells is crucial. In this proposal we will investigate the role of alternative splicing in the control of the fundamental properties of stem cells, and identify target RNAs and gene expression networks regulated by splicing fact ....Stem cells hold great promise in cell replacement therapies and may provide models to study human diseases and to screen new pharmaceuticals. For successful future therapeutic applications, a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing the behavior of stem cells is crucial. In this proposal we will investigate the role of alternative splicing in the control of the fundamental properties of stem cells, and identify target RNAs and gene expression networks regulated by splicing factors.Read moreRead less