The genetic regulation of organogenesis: endoderm development in the Drosophila embryo. Embryonic development is an important research field in biology, not only for its extraordinary complexity but also because of the insights it provides into molecular processes that underpin a variety of diseases. This project aims to discover genes and molecules that regulate the normal development of one of the most important organs, the gut.
ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology. The CoE in Convergent Bio-Nano Science &Technology comprises a multi-disciplinary team focused on research aiming to understand and control the interface of materials with biological systems. The Centre will exploit knowledge of the bio-nano interface to design materials that transport and deliver vaccines, drugs and gene therapy agents, and to design new diagnostic agents and devices. Nanomedicines are on the cusp of revol ....ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology. The CoE in Convergent Bio-Nano Science &Technology comprises a multi-disciplinary team focused on research aiming to understand and control the interface of materials with biological systems. The Centre will exploit knowledge of the bio-nano interface to design materials that transport and deliver vaccines, drugs and gene therapy agents, and to design new diagnostic agents and devices. Nanomedicines are on the cusp of revolutionizing diagnosis and therapy in many diseases. The CoE will be the focus of bio-nano research activity in Australia, uniting universities, research agencies, institutes and companies. The expected outcomes are better diagnostic and therapeutic tools designed via an enhanced understanding of the bio-nano-interface.Read moreRead less
Uncovering microRNA decay regulation in mammalian cells. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) constitute a novel mechanism used by cells to regulate gene expression, however, very little is known about the mechanisms affecting miRNA accumulation. Characterisation of the kinetics of miRNA turnover is of paramount importance to establish the reliability of miRNAs as novel biomarkers. This project aims to characterise miRNA stability in mammalian cells, investigate mechanisms of turnover and establish their importan ....Uncovering microRNA decay regulation in mammalian cells. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) constitute a novel mechanism used by cells to regulate gene expression, however, very little is known about the mechanisms affecting miRNA accumulation. Characterisation of the kinetics of miRNA turnover is of paramount importance to establish the reliability of miRNAs as novel biomarkers. This project aims to characterise miRNA stability in mammalian cells, investigate mechanisms of turnover and establish their importance on the regulatory function of miRNAs. Such information is critical in the future development of targeted therapeutics.Read moreRead less
Microscale microRNA Detection and Delivery for Effective Point-of-Care Cancer Screening and Therapeutics. MicroRNAs are short RNA molecules that play a critical regulatory role in gene expression. Recently discovered in 1993, microRNA research has since received considerable attention and is regarded as an emerging revolutionary frontier in medicine given its therapeutic ability to ‘turn off’ certain genes that lead to various diseases. Additionally, microRNA expression signatures are a strong b ....Microscale microRNA Detection and Delivery for Effective Point-of-Care Cancer Screening and Therapeutics. MicroRNAs are short RNA molecules that play a critical regulatory role in gene expression. Recently discovered in 1993, microRNA research has since received considerable attention and is regarded as an emerging revolutionary frontier in medicine given its therapeutic ability to ‘turn off’ certain genes that lead to various diseases. Additionally, microRNA expression signatures are a strong biomarker for many diseases such as cancer. This project will advance the chip-scale acoustic microcentrifugation and nebulisation technology we recently pioneered to overcome the significant hurdles currently faced in microRNA detection and delivery with the aim of developing prototype portable microdevices for early stage cancer screening and therapy.Read moreRead less
Transcription factor nuclear residency as a driver of gene expression. Persistently active proteins can stay in the nucleus to drive cell growth and prevent cell death. This project will define how one specific active protein can remain in the nucleus and regulate gene expression through the action of unique ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecules. The results will enable persistent gene activation to be manipulated in cancer.
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL140100052
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,500,000.00
Summary
Macromolecular design for bio-imaging and targeted delivery. Macromolecular design for bio-imaging and targeted delivery. A thorough understanding of how nanoparticles interact with biological systems is imperative if advances are to be made in using nanotechnology for therapeutic applications. Fundamental aspects of nanoparticle transport, targeting and cell uptake will be investigated. This project aims to design novel nanoparticulate systems for the delivery of both an endogenous signalling ....Macromolecular design for bio-imaging and targeted delivery. Macromolecular design for bio-imaging and targeted delivery. A thorough understanding of how nanoparticles interact with biological systems is imperative if advances are to be made in using nanotechnology for therapeutic applications. Fundamental aspects of nanoparticle transport, targeting and cell uptake will be investigated. This project aims to design novel nanoparticulate systems for the delivery of both an endogenous signalling molecule and genes to cells. The project aims to inform future optimal design criteria for bespoke nanoparticle delivery systems.Read moreRead less
Determining the molecular regulation of blood vessel development and angiogenesis. Abnormal blood vessel growth is associated with diseases including cancer, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and chronic inflammation. This project focuses on understanding normal blood vessel growth in order to gather clues to help discover ways of preventing abnormal blood vessel growth during disease.
Using Drosophila to analyse a master regulator of epithelial homeostasis. Aims:
This proposal aims to use genetic and cell biological analysis of the vinegar fly, Drosophila, to identify the function of the grainyhead gene in intestinal regeneration.
Significance:
This gene is conserved in all animal species and appears to be a master regulator of epithelial tissue development but it is unclear how it can both influence stem cell maintenance and production of functional cell types.
Expected out ....Using Drosophila to analyse a master regulator of epithelial homeostasis. Aims:
This proposal aims to use genetic and cell biological analysis of the vinegar fly, Drosophila, to identify the function of the grainyhead gene in intestinal regeneration.
Significance:
This gene is conserved in all animal species and appears to be a master regulator of epithelial tissue development but it is unclear how it can both influence stem cell maintenance and production of functional cell types.
Expected outcomes:
We will identify a new mechanism that governs tissue development, and introduce new imaging and genetic technologies to the Australian research community.
Benefit:
We expect potential economic and commercial interest in development of new gene analysis tools and biotechnological tissue manipulation applications.Read moreRead less
Controlling apoptotic cell death in health and disease. Regulating how and when cells die is crucial for the development and maintenance of a healthy body and mind. This project will investigate the proteins that are responsible for controlling cell death with the view to identifying novel ways to target these proteins for the treatment of disorders such as cancer, neurodegenerative disease and autoimmunity.
Controlling apoptotic cell death in health and disease. Regulating how and when cells die is crucial for the development and maintenance of a healthy body and mind. This project will investigate the proteins that are responsible for controlling cell death with the view to identifying novel ways to target these proteins for the treatment of disorders such as cancer, neurodegenerative disease and autoimmunity.