Australian Centre For Vertebrate Mutation Detection (ACVMD)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,611,794.00
Summary
Over the last 20 years, generation and analysis of genetically modified animals has proven to be an important step in the transition from in vitro studies of gene function to in vivo studies and eventually clinical research. The remarkable parallels between the human, mouse and zebrafish genomes means that there are now many examples of mutations that cause or modify disease in humans, and which lead to similar phenotypes when present in mice and zebrafish. Until recently, the prime method of in ....Over the last 20 years, generation and analysis of genetically modified animals has proven to be an important step in the transition from in vitro studies of gene function to in vivo studies and eventually clinical research. The remarkable parallels between the human, mouse and zebrafish genomes means that there are now many examples of mutations that cause or modify disease in humans, and which lead to similar phenotypes when present in mice and zebrafish. Until recently, the prime method of introducing mutations into specific genes of interest in the mouse (although still unavailable in the fish) was via homologous recombination, and the principal classes of mutations induced were large deletions or insertions. This type of mutation rarely occurs in humans. Rather, point mutations and single-nucleotide polymorphisms are the prevalent form of genetic variation. An alternative approach to the development of mouse models with the more relevant point mutations is TILLING (Targeting Induced Local Lesions IN Genomes). The goal of this Enabling Grant is to make TILLING technology accessible to the Australian research community and in doing so promote movement of research from the in vitro setting into animal models of disease.Read moreRead less
One Australian dies of Motor Neuron Disease (MND) every day. MND is likely to be due to a genetic susceptibility to an environmental agent such as a toxin or a virus. Recent advances in gene therapy have emphasised the urgent need to find the gene abnormalities in MND. We propose to set up an Australia-wide DNA Bank for MND to allow researchers to look for genetic abnormalities and environmental influences in this disease.
Australasian Leukaemia Lymphoma Group (ALLG) National Leukaemia And Lymphoma Tissue Bank (NLLTB)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,106,750.00
Summary
Recent advances in knowledge about how cancer differ from normal cells, why some people are susceptible to cancer, and how new treatments can target cancer have all occurred through research on cancer cells from patients. To benefit patients with cancers of the blood and the immune system, we established a National Leukaemia and Lymphoma Tissue Bank in 2002. It is proposed to dramatically expand its size, add relevant clinical data, and streamline access and utility for Australian researchers. U ....Recent advances in knowledge about how cancer differ from normal cells, why some people are susceptible to cancer, and how new treatments can target cancer have all occurred through research on cancer cells from patients. To benefit patients with cancers of the blood and the immune system, we established a National Leukaemia and Lymphoma Tissue Bank in 2002. It is proposed to dramatically expand its size, add relevant clinical data, and streamline access and utility for Australian researchers. Ultimately, this will lead to better treatment and prevention of blood cancers.Read moreRead less