The Molecular And Biological Roles Of Growth Inhibiting Chromatin Binding Proteins
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$814,843.00
Summary
Our previous work has led to the identification of mutations underlying human birth defects. Similarly, our proposed work will identify a new gene as potentially mutated in human heart defects. We will determine its overlapping functions with a related gene and elucidate their roles in embryonic development and cancer.
Identification Of Epigenetic Regulators Of Lung Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$625,036.00
Summary
Adaptation to air breathing at birth is dependent on the generation of normal lung structure. Failure of lung formation and surfactant function results in respiratory failure at birth. Although progress has been made in identifying genes and pathways critical for lung function, the factors that control their expression, so called epigenetic factors, are not known. In this proposal, we will seek to identify these factors controlling lung formation.
Identification And Characterization Of The Molecular Mechanisms Of Cardiac Muscle Regeneration Regulated By The Epicardium In Zebrafish
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$540,772.00
Summary
Heart attack is a life-threatening disease that damages cardiac muscle. The human heart cannot create new muscle after the damage, which partly contributes to the high morbidity and mortality of this disease. Unlike humans, zebrafish, a small tropical freshwater fish, can naturally create cardiac muscle after injury. In this project, we will understand at the molecular level how zebrafish regenerate cardiac muscle, and provide insights for repairing damaged muscle in the human heart.
Contrary to traditional belief few cases of cerebral palsy are due to problems at birth. Most have earlier origins. Sophisticated new methods have found that many developmental brain disorders e.g. autism, intellectual disability and epilepsy are associated with submicroscopic but genetically large alterations in the genetic code of these children. This novel study will seek these alterations in a large group of Australian cerebral palsy families. The pilot data show novel and exciting findings.
Aberrant Mesenchymal-epithelial Transition: A Pathogenic Mechanism In Tissue Maintenance And Differentiation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$522,299.00
Summary
The causative genetic factors associated with aberrant changes of cellular properties are identified by analysing the profile and the control mechanism of gene expression. Specifically,this project will reveal how the transition of different patterns of tissue organization may be manifested in birth defects and malignant diseases.
CAGE: Consortium For The Architecture Of Gene Expression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$501,080.00
Summary
This research project is about understanding why some people are most susceptible to disease than others, by identifying genetic factors that influence the expression of genes that are important in disease. We will work with leaders in the field in Europe and the USA in an international research consortium to find genetic variants with an effect on gene expression and to link those genetic factors to disease. The project will provide new understanding about the biological basis of common disease ....This research project is about understanding why some people are most susceptible to disease than others, by identifying genetic factors that influence the expression of genes that are important in disease. We will work with leaders in the field in Europe and the USA in an international research consortium to find genetic variants with an effect on gene expression and to link those genetic factors to disease. The project will provide new understanding about the biological basis of common diseases.Read moreRead less
Exploiting SNP Data In Epidemiology And Genetics Through Multivariate Analysis Of Complex Traits
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$476,981.00
Summary
There is overlap in risk factors across multiple diseases, and some of that overlap is due to genetic factors. The availability of genome-wide DNA data on tens of thousands of patients for multiple diseases and healthy controls allows new questions to be asked and answered. For example, what is the overlap due to genes in disease risk for multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis? This project will develop and statistical genetic methodology to answer such questions and apply those methods to ....There is overlap in risk factors across multiple diseases, and some of that overlap is due to genetic factors. The availability of genome-wide DNA data on tens of thousands of patients for multiple diseases and healthy controls allows new questions to be asked and answered. For example, what is the overlap due to genes in disease risk for multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis? This project will develop and statistical genetic methodology to answer such questions and apply those methods to a range of important diseases.Read moreRead less
This study is aimed at identifying genetic variants that influence susceptibility to migraine. We plan to use DNA samples already collected from families with multiple migraine affected individuals and sequence a region on the X chromosome that has previously been identified as harbouring a migraine susceptibility gene. This project will identify gene(s) that contain variants contributing to migraine.
Development And Application Of A Mendelian Randomization Framework Aimed At Dissecting The Biological Basis Of Ankylosing Spondylitis And Other Complex Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$279,666.00
Summary
Our aim is to identify genes and biological molecules that cause a type of autoimmune arthritis called ankylosing spondylitis. Our approach involves finding combinations of genes that are related to biological molecules of interest and then testing to see whether the gene combination is also related to risk of disease. We hope that our strategy will lead to new drug treatments targeting the condition.
Defining The Molecular Effectors Of Gene/environment Interaction On Mouse Heart Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$749,271.00
Summary
One third of all birth defects involve the heart, and are the most common cause of infant death. Some defects are due to genetic factors, but others arise when the pregnant mother is exposed to environmental stress. We will examine how one stress (low oxygen levels) causes abnormal heart formation in the embryo, look at what causes this at a molecular level, and explore if such stress increases the risk of heart defects in families with a history of such abnormalities