Dissecting The Embryonic Blood-endothelial Regulatory Code And Investigating Its Role In Leukaemia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$646,389.00
Summary
Cancer initiating cells acquire stem cell characteristics and multiply within a supportive environment that helps maintain and propagate malignant cells. Identifying the normal hierarchy of gene control within blood stem cells and designing therapies that target cancer cells is the ultimate goal of this body of work.
De-differentiation Of Committed Cells Into Haematopoietic Stem Cells By The Instructive Role Of The Transcription Factor HOXB4
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$683,040.00
Summary
Blood stem cells are long-lived and can give rise to every cell type of the blood system and due to these properties they are currently used in the clinics. Despite their importance, our knowledge of the mechanisms the control the multiplication of these rare cells is very scarce. This proposal aims to identify key factors that have the potential to convert mature, easy available blood cells into stem cells. This knowledge has to potential to lead to novel system that allow the expansion of stem ....Blood stem cells are long-lived and can give rise to every cell type of the blood system and due to these properties they are currently used in the clinics. Despite their importance, our knowledge of the mechanisms the control the multiplication of these rare cells is very scarce. This proposal aims to identify key factors that have the potential to convert mature, easy available blood cells into stem cells. This knowledge has to potential to lead to novel system that allow the expansion of stem cells for transplantations in the future.Read moreRead less
The Role Of MOZ In The Development Of The Hematopoietic System, Spleen And Thymus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$324,375.00
Summary
Current treatment of leukaemia in adults is unsatisfactory with the majority of patients dying. In the past most treatments for cancer have been empirical, that is a particular drug has been found to be effective by trial and error rather than a process of rational design. In order to improve the rate at which effective treatments for leukaemia are found it is necessary to understand how hematopoiesis is regulated and what the critical points are where things can go wrong, leading to cancer. Som ....Current treatment of leukaemia in adults is unsatisfactory with the majority of patients dying. In the past most treatments for cancer have been empirical, that is a particular drug has been found to be effective by trial and error rather than a process of rational design. In order to improve the rate at which effective treatments for leukaemia are found it is necessary to understand how hematopoiesis is regulated and what the critical points are where things can go wrong, leading to cancer. Some genes are commonly found to be mutated in leukaemia. Clearly these genes are involved in some key aspect of regulation of hematopoiesis. We are studying one of these genes, MOZ, which is mutated in acute myeloid leukaemia. The purpose of this grant is to determine what the normal function of this gene is. One of the most promising new treatments for leukaemia is directly targeting the regulation of gene expression inside the cell. MOZ is one of the proteins, which regulates gene expression in hematopoiesis and controls the differentiation of different types of blood cells. One of the possible effects of these new types of anticancer drugs is to accentuate the normal function of MOZ. However, at the moment we don't know what the normal function of MOZ is so it is impossible to test this prediction. If we know which pathways controlling blood formation MOZ is acting in it may be possible, in the future, to use this information to improve on the current anti cancer drugs in a more directed way than has been possible in the past.Read moreRead less
Epigenetic And Functional Decline Of Intestinal Stem Cells During Aging
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$584,390.00
Summary
Age related changes have been shown to impact on the overall functional properties of the intestinal epithelium, which affects overall nutrition and quality of life in the aged population. This proposal will study the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying intestine deterioration during aging.
Tapping The Power Of Pluripotency: The Role Of HMGA1 In Stem Cell Self-renewal And Cell Fate Transitions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$520,314.00
Summary
Stem-cell-based therapies have great potential as new treatments for degenerative and genetic diseases. However, to ensure we move in the right direction, we need a detailed understanding of stem cell properties. We have recently identified a novel mechanism for controlling stem-cell-like properties in both normal and cancer stem cells. In this project, we will further investigate this new means of controlling stem cells, which could revolutionise future therapeutic strategies for many diseases.
The Regulation Of Pluripotency And Self-renewal In Embryonic And Germline Stem Cells.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$491,767.00
Summary
Regulation of self-renewal and developmental potential in embryonic and germline stem cells. The capacity of some stem cells to self-renew and under specific conditions, give rise to all adult cell types, a property known as pluripotency , is the key to unlocking the potential of cell based therapies. The development of stem cell based therapies promises to revolutionize the treatment of many common human diseases. For instance, in neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinsons disease, normal ....Regulation of self-renewal and developmental potential in embryonic and germline stem cells. The capacity of some stem cells to self-renew and under specific conditions, give rise to all adult cell types, a property known as pluripotency , is the key to unlocking the potential of cell based therapies. The development of stem cell based therapies promises to revolutionize the treatment of many common human diseases. For instance, in neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinsons disease, normal embryonic stem cells grown in culture could be used to replace the lost or disabled neurons in the patient. Many other conditions including diabetes, cystic fibrosis, myocardial infarction (heart attack) and stroke could potentially be treated with stem cell based therapies. Understanding the molecular regulators that govern establishment and maintenance in culture of stem cell lines derived from embryos and from germ cells is the primary goal of this study. We will use well-established techniques to genetically manipulate mouse embryonic stem cells and embryos to examine the role of a specific gene, NANOG. Named after the Celtic legend of Tir NaNog (land of the ever young). When NANOG was forced to remain active, embryonic stem cells were able to grow in media deficient in factors usually required for self-renewal and did not lose their pluripotency even when treated with chemical agents that usually induce differentiation. Understanding the full capacity of NANOG to influence stem cell self-renewal and elucidation of the underlying molecular pathways regulated by this gene will provide valuable insights into the establishment and manipulation of stem cell lines from embryonic and adult tissues.Read moreRead less
Dissecting The Molecular Mechanisms During Reprogramming Of Different Somatic Cells Into Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells And The Plasticity Potential Of Their Intermediate Stages.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$234,965.00
Summary
I am a biochemist interested in the molecular mechanisms involved in gene expression and how these processes govern cell identity. I use a combination of mouse models, biochemical techniques and bioinformatics to study the _reprogramming� of adult cells into embryonic stem-like cells and how this technology can be used to generate different cell types for use in cellular replacement therapies and drug screening.
Making Human T- And B-lymphocytes For Immunotherapy And Antibody Production
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$795,880.00
Summary
Lymphocytes are white blood cells that are involved in producing antibodies, killing defective cells, or killing cells infected with viruses. In recent years, researchers have found ways to harness lymphocytes to develop medicines for treating a variety of different cancers. In this project, we will establish methods to make human lymphocytes in the laboratory from stem cells, paving the way for the broader application of this cell type to new therapies.
Defining The Role Of Nedd4 In Neural Crest Cell Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$541,565.00
Summary
Neural crest cells are specialised stem cells that give rise to many tissues and organs during embryonic development. We recently identified an essential role for a regulatory protein in neural crest cells. Our research is aimed at understanding how this protein influences the growth of structures such as the heart and facial skeleton. Understanding these processes underpins the ultimate goal of implementing diagnostic and preventative medicine for highly prevalent congenital birth defects.
Characterising The Mechanisms That Control Blood Cell Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$335,616.00
Summary
Hematopoiesis is a tightly regulated process that provides the body with a constant supply of all the cells of the blood system. My studies aim to characterize the molecular mechanisms that regulate the expansion and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) into each cell lineage. These studies will be key to the effective use of cellular transplantation therapeutic strategies and aim to provide a greater understanding of the mechanisms that underpin proliferative disorders such as can ....Hematopoiesis is a tightly regulated process that provides the body with a constant supply of all the cells of the blood system. My studies aim to characterize the molecular mechanisms that regulate the expansion and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) into each cell lineage. These studies will be key to the effective use of cellular transplantation therapeutic strategies and aim to provide a greater understanding of the mechanisms that underpin proliferative disorders such as cancer.Read moreRead less