Mechanistic And Functional Drivers Of Neochromosome Evolution
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$763,771.00
Summary
Neochromosomes are Frankenstein chromosomes--massive extra chromosomes that are stitched together from 100s of pieces of normal chromosomes. They are found in 3% of cancers, but are common in some types, such as liposarcoma. We have mapped their structure and found they form through punctuated chromosome shattering and gene amplification. We will investigate the precise molecular mechanisms that cause this and the recurrent transcriptional and epigenetic drivers lead to their formation.
Determining Shared Genetic Control Of RNA Transcription Across 45 Human Tissue Types
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$264,684.00
Summary
There is strong evidence that much of the genetic susceptibility to disease acts through altering way genes are turned into proteins via RNA transcripts. One important problem in using transcriptomic data to study diseases is that the genetic control of RNA transcription is known to vary between tissues. This study will use new methods and RNA data from 45 human tissues to show the degree of common genetic control for each RNA transcript between each pair of tissues.
Mechanisms Of Antibiotic-induced Persistent Bacterial Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$632,048.00
Summary
Golden staph still causes significant human infections and resistance to antibiotics is an ever growing problem with this bacteria. This project will determine how resistance to some antibiotics is also changing the bacteria to promote persistent, difficult to treat infections. The insights from this study will help understand evolution of this bacteria, and help design new strategies for management.
Genetics To Function: Identifying Genes Mediating The Biological Effects Of Type 2 Diabetes GWAS SNPs
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$438,075.00
Summary
Rates of type 2 diabetes are rising dramatically, and current efforts are failing to stem its progression. More information about why the disease develops is urgently needed. We apply an innovative approach to accelerate the latest genetic discoveries in diabetes to understand the mechanism behind the disease process. This knowledge will lead to new ways to control diabetes through development of novel therapies.
Cellular And Molecular Characterization Of Erythroid Enucleation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$671,950.00
Summary
A major challenge for transfusion medicine is the constant difficulties in obtaining enough supply of specific red blood cell (RBC) subtypes. In this proposal, we will identify the key steps of enucleation (extrusion of nucleus), a rate limiting process for the in vitro production of RBCs. A better understanding of this process will lead to improved strategies for the efficient and rapid production of self-generated RBCs for individual patient transfusion.
Identification Of Glaucoma Susceptibility Variants By Exome Sequencing In Extended Pedigrees Showing Prior Evidence Of Gene Segregation.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$694,002.00
Summary
Primary open angle glaucoma is a chronic eye disease and one of the leading causes of visual impairment and blindness worldwide. This study will use cutting-edge genetic methods to look at the entire coding component of the human genome (exome) in 271 individuals from large glaucoma families. Our previous studies have shown that these families carry genetic variants that increase disease risk. In this investigation we aim to identify these genes, with the hope they may offer novel targets for tr ....Primary open angle glaucoma is a chronic eye disease and one of the leading causes of visual impairment and blindness worldwide. This study will use cutting-edge genetic methods to look at the entire coding component of the human genome (exome) in 271 individuals from large glaucoma families. Our previous studies have shown that these families carry genetic variants that increase disease risk. In this investigation we aim to identify these genes, with the hope they may offer novel targets for treatment or diagnosis.Read moreRead less
Antibiotic Tolerance And Small RNA Networks In Staphylococcus Aureus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$521,559.00
Summary
Treatment of MRSA is restricted to last line antibiotics and treatment failure is associated with an intermediate tolerance to vancomycin. Regulatory molecules termed small RNA mediate responses to antibiotic challenge but their functions are poorly understood. This proposal will profile sRNA function to understand how they adapt S. aureus to antibiotic challenge. A molecular understanding of vancomycin-tolerance will inform development of diagnostics and treatment strategies.
Dissecting The Molecular Basis For Emerging Alcohol Tolerance In VRE
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$836,620.00
Summary
Infections caused by vancomycin resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm) are a major and growing problem in health care facilities around Australia. We have observed that VREfm is becoming significantly more resistant to killing by alcohol, probably due the increasing use of alcohol-based hand wash products. This project will identify how VREfm is becoming alcohol tolerant, knowledge that will be used to develop alternative disinfection methods or other intervention strategies to stop its spread.
Somatic Gene Trapping In Schistosoma Mansoni _ The Key To Functional Analysis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$623,270.00
Summary
Blood flukes are endemic in 76 countries and infect 300 million people worldwide. Control largely relies on the drug praziquantel. However, its wide scale use has led to concerns that drug resistance will develop. In this study we will use ñgene trap vectorsî to introduce insertional mutations into the schistosome genome. This will help to understand the function and importance of genes in biochemical pathways used by the parasite and to define effective targets for drug and vaccine development.
Discovering The Function And Structure Of RIO Kinases – Toward New Nematocides
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$545,477.00
Summary
This project is focused on: high quality fundamental molecular science, contributing to national objectives, including the development of novel and innovative scientific concepts and international collaborations; consolidating links between basic and applied research; enhancing the skills-base in molecular biology and global visibility of Australian science.