Molecular Barcoding To Understand Clonal Dynamics In The Initiation, Maintenance And Progression Of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) At Single Cell Resolution
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$132,743.00
Summary
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a blood cancer with low rates of long-term survival. Understanding the ways that AML adapts in the face of treatment will allow us to design treatment that prevents resistance to, and relapse following, treatment. This project will use a new technique called molecular barcoding to allow us to see the genetic and non-genetic changes that occur in each individual leukaemia cell over time in order to determine the mechanisms that underpin resistance to treatment.
Vitamin D And Genetic Susceptibility In Multiple Sclerosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$122,714.00
Summary
Vitamin D3 levels appear to predict clinical status in multiple sclerosis. The reasons for this are unclear, but may be linked to the effect of the Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) on a subset of immune cells. This project aims to identify key genes which are regulated by this receptor, by using specific gene sequencing technologies combined with knowledge of the genes which confer risk of developing MS. This may help to identify the molecular pathways underlying MS and potential treatment strategies.
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are disorders of blood-forming stem cells characterised by low blood counts and progression to acute leukaemia. Epigenetics refers to changes in gene expression without changing the underlying DNA sequence. More than half of MDS have mutation/s in epigenetic regulators, providing evidence that epigenetics is an important contributor to the disease. The goal of this project is to better understand how epigenetics contribute to MDS and discovery of new therapies.
CD300f As A Novel Therapeutic Antibody Target In Acute Myeloid Leukaemia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$89,926.00
Summary
This study aims to develop a new antibody therapy for Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML), the most common type of leukaemia in adults. We will study the function of CD300f, a new receptor found on the surface of both healthy blood cells and the cancer cells in AML. We will investigate whether blocking this receptor with a newly developed antibody can be used to kill cancer cells. It is hoped that this study will allow development of this antibody for use in a future clinical trial.