EPIGENETIC REPROGRAMMING OF MALIGNANT BREAST CANCER
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$863,268.00
Summary
Poorly differentiated breast cancers are aggressive tumors, frequently resistant to chemotherapy and associated with high morbidity. Herein we propose the engineering of more selective therapeutic agents able to target the genes involved in cancer initiation and resistance to treatment. We aim to correct and reprogram the cancer cell genome in state that is similar to normal, not tumorigenic cells. This work will generate novel forms of treatment for cancers that are presently not curable.
SARA: Delineating Its Association With The Onset And Development Of Liver Fibrosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$865,972.00
Summary
Liver disease, a significant burden on society, affects many in the prime of their life. Scarring of the liver is a response to injury due to many factors including alcohol, viruses, obesity, and fatty-liver disease. We have identified a protein associated with liver injury. In this project we will perform a systematic analysis to understand the role of this protein in injury progression. Ultimately we intend to develop tools to prevent and treat liver injury.
Molecular Regulation Of Metabolism And Body Composition By Ski Via Crosstalk With Nuclear Hormone Receptor Signalling.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$558,441.00
Summary
Obesity is a common and burdensome health problem in the community which leads to diabetes and heart disease. A number of factors, including hormones play important roles in determing risk of obesity. This study proposes to investigate whether the Ski gene which is a regulatory factor for many hormones affects metabolism in transgenic mouse models of altered Ski function. The proposed studies may identify Ski as a target for therapy for obesity and improvement in sketal muscle metabolism.
Novel Insights Into The Pathobiology Of Alphavirus Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$583,477.00
Summary
Ross River virus and chikungunya virus cause muscle and joint pain that can persist for a long time. This project looks at factors in the human host that affect the disease severity, with the aim of finding new treatments.
Non-viral Vectors For Targeted Delivery Of RNAi Nucleotides To Cervical Cancers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,738.00
Summary
RNA interference (or gene silencing) is a new technique whereby we are able to turn off the expression of a particular gene either temporarily or permanently. Cancer is basically a genetic disease where certain protective genes are lost or cancer-causing genes expressed. Gene silencing holds great promise in the treatment of genetic disorders, infectious diseases and cancer. Cervical cancer is caused by infection with the human papillomavirus and the expression of two cancer-causing genes. Using ....RNA interference (or gene silencing) is a new technique whereby we are able to turn off the expression of a particular gene either temporarily or permanently. Cancer is basically a genetic disease where certain protective genes are lost or cancer-causing genes expressed. Gene silencing holds great promise in the treatment of genetic disorders, infectious diseases and cancer. Cervical cancer is caused by infection with the human papillomavirus and the expression of two cancer-causing genes. Using RNA interference we can turn off the expression of these two genes which results in the death of the cancer cell. We are also able to cure mice of tumours derived from human cervical cancer. The major issue with gene silencing is how to deliver it effectively to patients. Here we are investigating novel nanoparticulate systems to deliver this new gene-inhibiting drugs preferentially to the tumour site.Read moreRead less
Development of an immunology toolbox to combat emerging marsupial diseases. Disease is increasingly a driver of wildlife population declines in Australia. However, basic immunology tools for >99% of vertebrate species are scarce, limiting our ability to prevent and respond to emerging and endemic diseases, such as devil facial tumour disease and wobbly possum disease. The overarching goal of this project is to improve wildlife health and fill the marsupial immunology gap by developing a long-ove ....Development of an immunology toolbox to combat emerging marsupial diseases. Disease is increasingly a driver of wildlife population declines in Australia. However, basic immunology tools for >99% of vertebrate species are scarce, limiting our ability to prevent and respond to emerging and endemic diseases, such as devil facial tumour disease and wobbly possum disease. The overarching goal of this project is to improve wildlife health and fill the marsupial immunology gap by developing a long-overdue multispecies marsupial immunology toolbox. The toolbox is needed to accelerate devil facial tumour disease vaccine progress and conservation immunology research. It will expand our knowledge of wobbly possum disease virus that is increasingly reported in Tasmania and the risk posed by the virus to other possum species.Read moreRead less
Role Of IGF Binding Protein-3 (IGFBP-3) And IGFBP-5 As Modulators Of Nuclear Hormone Signalling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$465,750.00
Summary
The insulin-like growth factors are small proteins involved in the growth of most tissues. Their actions are regulated by binding to larger proteins (known as IGFBPs) in the bloodstream and outside the cell. However, some IGFBPs are also found inside cells, where they seem to carry out other functions. We believe that two of these binding proteins, IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-5, change the way cells respond to vitamin A and vitamin D. These two vitamins are important in cell growth and in the way certain ....The insulin-like growth factors are small proteins involved in the growth of most tissues. Their actions are regulated by binding to larger proteins (known as IGFBPs) in the bloodstream and outside the cell. However, some IGFBPs are also found inside cells, where they seem to carry out other functions. We believe that two of these binding proteins, IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-5, change the way cells respond to vitamin A and vitamin D. These two vitamins are important in cell growth and in the way certain cells perform specialised functions. In test-tube experiments, IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-5 interact directly with the receptors that regulate the effects of these hormones. If the same thing happens inside the cell, IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-5 could change the way these receptors respond to signals from outside the cell. We will investigate what effect these IGFBPs have in living cells and in whole animals and how this may relate to human disease. If we are able to understand how IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-5 affect the way cells respond to vitamin A and D, then we may be able to develop new ways to treat certain human diseases.Read moreRead less
Identifying Long-range Regulatory Elements Of The Breast Cancer Susceptibility Gene, BRCA1
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$612,842.00
Summary
BRCA1 is a breast cancer susceptibility gene implicated in both familial and sporadic breast cancers. The mechanisms controlling BRCA1 expression are poorly understood. We will identify DNA sequences critical for regulation of the BRCA1 gene. We hypothesise that these regions are mutational hot spots conferring an increased breast cancer risk. A better understanding of the pathways responsible for promoting BRCA1-associated breast cancer will provide important diagnostic and treatment targets.
Targeting the delivery of cytotoxic agents to tumour cells using novel minicells as drug delivery vehicles and engineered, bispecific antibodies. Cancer persists as a major cause of morbidity and mortality globally. A major problem is the non-specific action of drugs used for treatment. The minicell is a drug delivery vehicle, capable of packaging a variety of drugs. The project will develop tumour-specific antibodies that will target minicells to tumours, improving cancer survival rates.