Investigate Novel Functional Roles For PI 3-kinases In Platelets.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$537,215.00
Summary
Platelets are small blood cells which have a well defined role in blood clotting. There is a growing body of evidence that platelets play an important role in a broad range of inflammatory diseases, and we have identified a key role for the platelet PI3K enzyme in controlling the pro-inflammatory function of platelets. This grant will examine the importance of PI3K in health and disease, and examine the potential therapeutic benefits of inhibiting platelet PI3K.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE160100220
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$180,000.00
Summary
Fluorescence and internal reflection system to develop lab-on-chip devices. Fluorescence and internal reflection system to develop lab-on-chip devices:
The aim of this project is to develop and establish a state-of-the-art fluorescence imaging facility. It aims to establish a total internal reflection fluorescence microscope combined with high speed epifluorescence imaging workstation that will be tailored to specifically investigate the fundamentals of blood cell, and vascular cell function. T ....Fluorescence and internal reflection system to develop lab-on-chip devices. Fluorescence and internal reflection system to develop lab-on-chip devices:
The aim of this project is to develop and establish a state-of-the-art fluorescence imaging facility. It aims to establish a total internal reflection fluorescence microscope combined with high speed epifluorescence imaging workstation that will be tailored to specifically investigate the fundamentals of blood cell, and vascular cell function. The project forms part of a broad bioengineering research program aimed at developing novel lab-on-chip technologies for basic cell biology and haematology. Outcomes from these projects may have significant impact in fundamental research in both bioengineering and biology disciplines.Read moreRead less
Mimetics and small chemical compounds for hemopoietic stem cell mobilisation. This project will result in the design and synthesis of new chemical compounds that could be used clinically to help collect blood stem cells for bone marrow transplantation. For patients this will mean more effective and less painful ways to collect stem cells and better transplant outcomes. There is a large, ongoing international market for this type of drug and likelihood of significant financial benefit.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE120100043
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$330,000.00
Summary
Development of an ultra-high speed spinning disk confocal micro-particle image velocimetry (PIV) platform for the investigation of cardiovascular disease . This facility will establish a microscope system specifically designed to investigate the function of blood cells in the context of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke.
The Anti-thrombotic Potential Of Immunoreceptors In Platelet Thrombus Formation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$522,773.00
Summary
Platelets are small cells in the blood stream that play an important role in preventing excessive blood loss at sites of tissue injury by sticking together and forming a haemostatic plug. Excessive platelet clumping in diseased blood vessels can lead to blockages and cause thrombotic diseases such as heart attack and stroke, two of the biggest killers of humans in the western world. In this proposal, we will seek to understand how immunoreceptors expressed on the surface of platelets modulate th ....Platelets are small cells in the blood stream that play an important role in preventing excessive blood loss at sites of tissue injury by sticking together and forming a haemostatic plug. Excessive platelet clumping in diseased blood vessels can lead to blockages and cause thrombotic diseases such as heart attack and stroke, two of the biggest killers of humans in the western world. In this proposal, we will seek to understand how immunoreceptors expressed on the surface of platelets modulate the function of platelet collagen interactions involving collagen GPVI receptor, the low affinity IgG receptor, FcgammaRIIa and the major platelet integrin, integrin alphaIIbbeta3. The aims of this work will define the role of these receptors in platelet aggregation both in cell-based assays and in mouse models of thrombosis. This work could lead to new strategies for therapeutic management of thrombotic disorders.Read moreRead less
Zbtb11 is a druggable protein that is mis-expressed in blood cancers - second biggest cause of cancer death in Australia - and liver cancer, third leading cause of death from cancer worldwide. We have found that it interacts with 2 other proteins with potential roles in these diseases. Our studies examine the nature of these Zbtb11-partner interactions and their particular consequences for blood disorders. Zbtb11 contributions to disease development will be a target for novel disease therapy.
The Role Of Ap2a2 In Self-renewal Of Haematopoietic And Leukemic Stem Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$579,171.00
Summary
The daily replenishment of the blood system is dependent on the blood stem cell. A unique property of these stem cells is self-renewal where the stem cell function is preserved, whilst other daughter cells continue to divide. Our research investigates the molecular mechanisms that regulate stem cell self-renewal. This work has potential clinical application on at least two levels: expansion of stem cells for transplantation, and for attacking abnormal cancer cell self-renewal pathways.
Investigate The Role Of PAF And CD40 Ligand In Regulating The Proinflammatory Properties Of Platelets
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$507,270.00
Summary
The cells of the blood play an important role in maintaining healthy blood vessels. We are interested in two types of blood cells, platelets and leukocytes, which together play a key role in vessel maintenance, by promoting blood clot formation and vessel wall repair following injury. However, while critical for normal blood vessel maintenance, these cells have also been demonstrated to contribute to disease states including atherosclerosis, thrombosis and inflammatory airway diseases. Underlyin ....The cells of the blood play an important role in maintaining healthy blood vessels. We are interested in two types of blood cells, platelets and leukocytes, which together play a key role in vessel maintenance, by promoting blood clot formation and vessel wall repair following injury. However, while critical for normal blood vessel maintenance, these cells have also been demonstrated to contribute to disease states including atherosclerosis, thrombosis and inflammatory airway diseases. Underlying the function of both blood cell types is their ability to stick (or adhere) to each other. However the way in which they coordinate this adhesion is very complex. New information from our laboratory has demonstrated that the sticky behaviour of each cell type is spatially and temporally regulated, and may involve may factors both inside and outside of the cells themselves. Our studies aim to define the key components regulating the 'stickiness' of these blood cells, in order to undertand how they contribute to maintaining healthy vessel walls, but also how their stickiness may also contribute to the promotion of diseased vessels. This information will not only increase our knowledge of the factors that regulate blood clot formation, but may also assist in the development of new therapies to prevent and-or treat vessel disease.Read moreRead less
Role Of The Hypoxia-inducible Transcription Factor HIF-1a In Controlling Haematopoietic Stem Cell Fate
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$586,428.00
Summary
Haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) reside in the bone marrow (BM) and make all immune and blood cells. We have found that, in the areas of the BM where HSC normally live, the level of oxygen is very low (hypoxia) and decreases even further when HSC are forced to move into the blood in order to be collected for transplantation. This project is to better understand how oxygenation of the BM controls HSC behaviour and properties, and to evaluate its impact on HSC transplantation.