Regulation Of Leukocyte Recruitment In Inflammation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$686,656.00
Summary
In inflammatory diseases such as asthma, arthritis and atherosclerosis, white blood cells enter affected tissues causing inflammation and tissue destruction. This research will investigate the processes whereby white blood cells enter affected tissues, particularly how they exit the circulation, and migrate throughout tissues during inflammatory responses. An improved understanding of this process may identify new ways of interfering with the disease process in various inflammatory diseases.
Understanding the immune response is proving extremely complex and promising results for disease treatments from animal models are often difficult to translate to new clinical therapies. My research is unearthing weaknesses in our current knowledge of the immune system and seeking to replace them with a foundation that can exploit new developments in computer modelling and systems biology. In this way I aim to rationally manipulate the immune response.
Understanding the immune response is proving extremely complex and promising results for disease treatments from animal models are often difficult to translate to new clinical therapies. My research is unearthing weaknesses in our current knowledge of the immune system and seeking to replace them with a foundation that can exploit new developments in computer modelling and systems biology. In this way I aim to rationally manipulate the immune response.
I am a molecular-cell biologist investigating the genetic control of lymphocyte differentiation. I study the mechanisms of action of transcription factors expressed specifically in B cells that regulate B lymphocyte specialisation and function, that determine the ability of mature B cells to respond to signals from other cells or from invading pathogens, and that enable the differentiation of antibody-secreting cells, the effectors of the B cell lineage. I lead the commercialisation efforts of o ....I am a molecular-cell biologist investigating the genetic control of lymphocyte differentiation. I study the mechanisms of action of transcription factors expressed specifically in B cells that regulate B lymphocyte specialisation and function, that determine the ability of mature B cells to respond to signals from other cells or from invading pathogens, and that enable the differentiation of antibody-secreting cells, the effectors of the B cell lineage. I lead the commercialisation efforts of our research Program.Read moreRead less
Biomarkers For The Diagnosis And Prognostic Analysis Of Male Infertility
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,370.00
Summary
Male infertility is a common condition, affecting 1 in 15 men. Although a standard semen analysis is often performed to test whether a man is infertile, it is far from definitive. We have developed a new approach, by looking at proteins that are commonly missing from infertile sperm cells. From this analysis, we can definitively diagnose male infertility and are beginning to understand why men are becoming infertile.
I am a reproductive biologist focused on women’s reproductive health. I am studying the reasons why some women are infertile have spontaneous abortions and pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia. My research will define the roles of molecules that are critical in the establishment of pregnancy and the formation of a health placenta and therefore a healthy baby.
Platelets are key blood elements that are essential for the prevention of bleeding in response to injury or infection. Overactive or spontaneously active platelets cause thrombosis and blood clot formation. My laboratory has identified new physiological pathways of activation of platelet metalloproteinases, the enzymes that regulate surface levels of the prothrombotic platelet receptors. By understanding this mechanism of receptor regulation, we can uniquely target platelet receptors in people w ....Platelets are key blood elements that are essential for the prevention of bleeding in response to injury or infection. Overactive or spontaneously active platelets cause thrombosis and blood clot formation. My laboratory has identified new physiological pathways of activation of platelet metalloproteinases, the enzymes that regulate surface levels of the prothrombotic platelet receptors. By understanding this mechanism of receptor regulation, we can uniquely target platelet receptors in people with prothrombotic pathologies.Read moreRead less
An inability to control human fertility is an issue of global significance. Frequently both unwanted pregnancies and infertility result from the same origin, a lack of understanding of how germ cells are produced. Within this fellowship I will define key processes involved in the manifestation of male fertility. Further I will extend these insights into both the fertility clinic but also into human health more broadly.
The genetic material is packaged in the cell nucleus with histone proteins. Modifications of histones determine if a particular area of the genome is active or repressed. We are investigating the roles of a family of histone modifying proteins, the MYST proteins. Mutations in these proteins cause intellectual disability and cancer. The research program will provide knowledge that may become the basis for the development of drugs for the treatment of cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.
It is clear that the health and disease burden of offspring can be programmed by events before birth. This project will answer questions as to how this programming occurs. My focus is to understand how the environment affects the oocyte, sperm and embryo and how this impacts on the offspring. We will specifically study the effects of obesity and nutritional status of the parents but also the in vitro environment with a view to improving IVF outcomes.