Mast Cells Are Key Negative Regulators Of Skin Tumourigenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$687,519.00
Summary
Australians are at high risk of sun-induced skin cancer and skin damage caused by the harmful ultraviolet (UV)-B rays in sunlight. Our research focuses on understanding how skin mast cells act as part of the body’s natural defence against skin tumourigenesis caused by excessive UVB exposure or chemical insult to the epidermis. Understanding the innate mechanisms that protect against excessive skin damage and cancer might lead to better prevention and treatment strategies in the future.
Regulatory Roles Of Mast Cells In Cutaneous Dermatitis In Vivo
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$586,965.00
Summary
Allergic conditions that can affect the skin, such as contact dermatitis or eczema are common amongst Australians. Although not life threatening, these common skin conditions can cause considerable physical diability and be expensive to treat. The major focus of our research is to define how dermal mast cells can be modulated to help limit the tissue changes and damage associated with these skin conditions, and ultimately develop improved treatments in the future.
Deciphering The Metabolic And Endocrine Profile Of Healthy Adipocytes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$563,194.00
Summary
Obesity is associated with the development of metabolic diseases, however, it is becoming clear that it is where the excess fat is stored that is more important when predicting the health risks associated with obesity. This project aims to identify whether adipocyte progenitor cells, which eventually become fat cells, are ‘preprogrammed’ and whether differences in these cells explain the generation of either healthy or unhealthy fat in different locations of the body.
Impaired Respiratory Tolerance In Obesity - The Link With Asthma?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$667,294.00
Summary
Australia has one of the highest obesity rates in the world, placing a major strain on health budgets. Obesity increases the risk of numerous diseases, including asthma. Asthma is prevented in healthy people by the immune system. This project will investigate whether obesity-related dietary factors and/or gut microbes impair this immune-mediated mechanism. Outcomes will increase understanding of the effects of diet and obesity on asthma development, and lead to novel asthma therapies.
Modulation Of Lung Regeneration And Remodeling By The Innate Immune System.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$591,113.00
Summary
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis results in respiratory failure and death with millions of people affected each year. Current treatments are limited and there is a need to better understand the changes that drive fibrosis. In this study we will investigate how the innate immune system modulates the process of epithelial regeneration, focusing, in particular, on how the innate immune response following severe lung injury initiates a disordered repair processes and drives fibrosis.
The osteocyte, the most abundant bone cell, likely plays a central role in bone biology and diseases, such as osteoporosis. The osteocyte product Sclerostin is a key regulator of bone mass. We are characterising novel pathways of sclerostin action via the expression of microRNAs.
Novel Strategies To Boost Tristetraprolin Function: A Critical Anti-inflammatory Protein In Asthma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$547,216.00
Summary
Asthma is a chronic disorder where airways are remodelled, resulting in poor lung function. Airway remodelling is a consequence of long-term inflammation. As current treatments halt some, but not all, aspects of airway remodelling, new therapeutic approaches are urgently required. In this grant, our aim is to devise novel strategies to boost the function of a critical anti-inflammatory protein - TTP - to reduce inflammation in asthma.
Comparison Of Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells And Induced Pluripotent Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells For Periodontal Regeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$831,955.00
Summary
In the first part of this study we will determine whether induced pluripotent stem cells or adult stem cells from the periodontal ligament are better candidates for periodontal regeneration. Secondly, using CAD/CAM technology we will make tissue engineering scaffolds tailored to fit periodontal defects and seeded with stem cells to improve on current techniques used to regenerate damaged tissues around teeth affected by periodontal disease.
Investigating Human Keratinocyte Stem Cells And Their Microenvironmental Niche
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$570,928.00
Summary
The stem cells in the outer protective layers of the epithelium of the skin (keratinocyte stem cells), possess an intrinsically high capability to regenerate tissue. However, this tissue regenerative ability can be enhanced by interactions with microenvironmental elements i.e. connective tissue cells and proteins. This study seeks to investigate specific keratinocyte-microenvironment interactions which will ultimately be used to improve current methods for generating skin tissue for burns patien ....The stem cells in the outer protective layers of the epithelium of the skin (keratinocyte stem cells), possess an intrinsically high capability to regenerate tissue. However, this tissue regenerative ability can be enhanced by interactions with microenvironmental elements i.e. connective tissue cells and proteins. This study seeks to investigate specific keratinocyte-microenvironment interactions which will ultimately be used to improve current methods for generating skin tissue for burns patients.Read moreRead less
Osteochondroreticular Stem Cell Therapy For Osteoarthritis: The Right Cells For The Job.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$561,956.00
Summary
"Wear and tear" arthritis of the knee, hip and back joints is known as osteoarthritis. This causes significant health burden and costs in our community, particularly in older Australians. Osteoarthritis begins with the loss of joint cartilage. We believe that a new type of stem cells (OCR stem cells) offer the greatest promise to generate and thus therapeutically replace joint cartilage. Our studies test this hypothesis and develop preclinical translation of our discoveries in mice into humans.