Mechanistic And Translational Studies In Female Reproductive Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,370.00
Summary
The womb is essential for a health pregnancy. This research aims to determine how the womb interacts with embryos to ensure a healthy pregnancy forms. Cells in the womb can also grow abnormally and result in endometrial cancer. New treatments for endometrial cancer will also be tested in this research.
Focus On The Uterus: Basic And Translational Research Strategies To Address Key Issues In Women’s Health. Fertility, Infertility, Endometrial And Pregnancy Disorders.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,085,790.00
Summary
My work focuses on the endometrium, the lining of the uterus, into which the embryo implants to establish pregnancy. When the endometrium does not function correctly, the woman is usually infertile. Other disorders of the endometrium include endometriosis, menstrual bleeding problems and cancer. My studies have defined the molecular basis for much endometrial dysfunction. I am now developing non-invasive tests for these problems and rationales for new treatments.
Novel Roles For Follistatin In Reproductive Biology
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$630,916.00
Summary
The follistatin protein has important functions throughout the body. Recent studies using mutant mice have identified key roles for follistatin in the development and function of the female reproductive system (ovary, uterus). We will now undertake detailed studies to determine how follistatin regulates these processes. This is relevant to our understanding of the mechanisms causing infection and inflammation in the reproductive tract.
Growth Factors And Regulatory Genes Controlling Male Spermatogonial Proliferation And Differentiation.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$354,536.00
Summary
In newborn and prepubertal boys the testis contains germ cells which are at a premature stage of development and very suseptible to degeneration especially if the testes fail to descend to the scrotum. The molecules which are responsible for the health of these germ cells have been unknown and only recently the way has been opened for direct study of these factors. This has been made possible by a new assay, developed in our labarotory, in which we can grow these germ cells under defined conditi ....In newborn and prepubertal boys the testis contains germ cells which are at a premature stage of development and very suseptible to degeneration especially if the testes fail to descend to the scrotum. The molecules which are responsible for the health of these germ cells have been unknown and only recently the way has been opened for direct study of these factors. This has been made possible by a new assay, developed in our labarotory, in which we can grow these germ cells under defined conditions. This step forward has highlighted some areas of knowledge which need further research such as identification of the processes which stimulate gonocytes to grow and divide. We need to test growth factors, somatic cell factors and also isolate new genes which are associated with germ cells and their growth. This knowledge will have outcomes in two major areas. First, the new findings could be applied to treatment of infertility resulting from undescended testes in which a stimulus could be given to make the germ cells grow again. Second, work in developing longer term culture of germ cells coupled with introduction of mutations will enable us to make mutant mice with a specific gene abnormality, similar to transgenic or gene knockout mice. This technological development would prove less expensive and time consuming with more reproducible and direct outcomes. Mutant mouse technology is a powerful tool to determine the effects of individual genes in the whole animal (mouse).Read moreRead less
I am a basic scientist with an interest in the cellular biology of the ovary, and the roles of the matrix between cells of the ovary in controlling fertility and hormone synthesis.
Katanin P80 Is A Key Regulator Of Microtubule Dynamics And Male Fertility.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$603,756.00
Summary
Male fertility is a complex process requiring the co-ordinated activation of thousands of gene products. It is not surprising therefore that 1 in 15 Australian men are infertile. This project will explore an essential pathways for sperm production, specifically related to sperm shaping and motility. This work may ultimately have implications for the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility, but also for pathology in tissues will similar cellular structures.