The Role Of Endometrial Stem Cells In Women’s Reproductive Health And Disease, And Their Use In Cell Based Therapies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$727,765.00
Summary
The endometrial lining of the uterus rapidly grows and sheds each month in reproductive age women. My discovery of 2 types of endometrial stem cells has changed our understanding of how endometrium grows and how abnormalities in this process lead to gynaecological disease. This project will characterise the role of endometrial stem cells in endometriosis and examine how endometrial mesenchymal stem cells can be used as a cell-based therapy for pelvic organ prolapse.
We aim to grow body tissues for surgery, including heart muscle, liver and pancreatic islets (for diabetes) and will investigate using stem cells to repair the brain after stroke. We will attempt to boost the expansion of blood vessels in growing tissues using molecular tools we have found crucial for cell signaling. In growing heart tissues and in stroke we will improve drugs that might boost the potential of stem cells to regenerate damaged tissues
Molecular Approaches To Cardiac Development, Disease And Regeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$863,910.00
Summary
Prof Harvey’s work explores the molecular and cellular networks that underpin heart development in the embryo and heart regeneration in the adult, and how these networks unravel in heart disease. Based on this knowledge, his work seeks to develop novel approaches for alleviating suffering in babies with congenital heart defects and adults enduring the devastating consequences of heart attack or heart failure.
Clinical Innovation Through Multidisciplinary Metabolic And Vascular Physiology: Impact Across The Obesity, Diabetes And Cardiovascular Disease Continuum
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$863,413.00
Summary
This innovative research program will address important clinical questions across the obesity, diabetes & cardiovascular disease continuum. Outcomes are directed to novel preventive, diagnostic & therapeutic strategies using a multidisciplinary approach. Potential major outcomes: 1. Novel therapies for diabetes by elevating good cholesterol 2. New anti-obesity strategies by stimulating brown fat 3. Drugs to manage peripheral artery diseases 4. A diagnostic test for sudden heart attacks
The Molecular Mechanisms Of Inherited And Acquired Musculoskeletal Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$823,008.00
Summary
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system are the second most prevalent medical conditions, and the second leading cause of health care expenditure in Australia. This research program seeks to identify genes causing inherited musculoskeletal disease and osteoarthritis. By identifying these genes, and by understanding the detailed molecular mechanisms of how gene mutations cause these disorders, our research is working towards developing better diagnostic and therapeutic approaches
Understanding And Preventing Adverse Developmental Effects Of Perinatal Infection/inflammation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$621,458.00
Summary
Exposure of babies to infection or inflammation within the womb is common and is associated with preterm delivery and illness in newborns. The biggest problem for these babies is lung disease due to inflammation of the lungs before birth and/or in response to lung injury after birth. We are investigating how inflammation alters lung development, and working on developing a novel cell therapy to prevent life-threatening newborn lung disease.
We will apply genome-wide approaches to identify the gene networks that regulate the self-renewal and the differentiation of muscle stem cells and their fusion to muscle fibres. These studies will deliver the first characterisation of the molecules and pathways implicated in these processes, which are essential steps of muscle growth.
Disorders of sex development (DSDs) are surprisingly common, and often result in infertility, genital abnormalities, gender mis-assignment and long-term psychological trauma. This research combines expertise in human molecular genetics, mouse developmental biology and protein chemistry to identify genes important for sex determination and development of the gonads, and discover how they contribute to DSD, in order to improve clinical care to patients with DSD.
Developmental Programming: Mechanisms And Interventions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$705,501.00
Summary
Disturbances during pregnancy can impact on developmental processes and result in increased risk of disease in later life. This project will examine the impact of perturbations such as maternal stress or alcohol consumption on the development of the placenta and fetal kidney. By gaining an understanding of how these organs are affected by prenatal insults, we are likely to be able to develop more effective intervention strategies to ensure all babies receive a healthy start to life.
I am a developmental biologist studying how transcription factors regulate developmental processes. I have a particular interest in the MYST family of co-activators, their role in regulating self-renewal and lineage determination in stem cells, their role in oncogenesis and targeting these proteins to develop new cancer therapeutics.