The Role Of Meninges In Midbrain Dopamine Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$378,311.00
Summary
Dopamine neurons are important for the control of movement, emotion and cognitive function, and are affected in a number of disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. Instrumental in improving our knowledge of disease etiology and the development of new therapies will be a greater understanding of how these cells are initially born during development. This project examines the role of the brain’s meninges in dopamine development and repair and will identify proteins and signaling pathways involved.
Humanisation And Pre-clinical Validation Of A Therapeutic Anti-cancer Antibody
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$699,136.00
Summary
This grant will develop a novel antibody against a protease expressed on cancer cells. Preclinical studies, and antibody humanisation, will be performed. This project will also provide vital information on optimal therapeutic approaches with the antibody that can be ultimately taken into human trials.
ADAM Metalloprotease Inhibition For Treatment Of Colorectal Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$770,925.00
Summary
Colorectal cancer (CRC) causes over 4000 deaths/year, typically from developing drug resistance and spreading to other organs (metastasis). These processes involve tumour cells called cancer stem cells (CSCs), which rely on specific cell surface proteins for survival and function. We are developing antibodies against one of these type of proteins, to test in mouse models of CRC. These already show promise in targeting CSCs and inhibiting drug-resistance and metastasis in mice.
Controlling Neuroinflammation In Alzheimer's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Summary
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide, with 269,000 Australians currently diagnosed with AD and is expected to soar to about 981,000 by 2050. AD accounts for greater than 60% of all cases of dementia. This grant investigates the role that neuroinflammation plays in the progression and exacerbation of AD and will identify new therapeutic strategies to combat this insidious disease.
The Role Of Cellular Microdomains In G-protein Coupled Receptor Signalling.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$385,297.00
Summary
Molecules communicate with cells by attaching to proteins called receptors on the outside of cells, and triggering a series of events inside the cell. These events initially include the assembly of multiple proteins at the cell surface. This project will examine the formation of receptors and other proteins into these ‘communication complexes’. This will provide novel targets for more selective drug development.
Functions Of FZD7 In The Intestine And Colorectal Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$644,761.00
Summary
Wnt proteins are a family of signaling molecules that are critical for the function of normal and cancerous epithelial cells in the gut. However, the cell surface receptor that transmits Wnt signals is not known. Our research strongly implicates one Wnt receptor (FZD7). Here we test this using innovative mouse and cell line models. We wish to understand how Wnt-driven processes are activated. This knowledge will lead to novel avenues to block aberrant activation of Wnt signalling in cancer cells
Wnt Signaling In Dopaminergic Neuronal Connectivity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$387,489.00
Summary
During development, the brain establishes intricate and precise connections. In several brain pathways, little is known about the processes regulating this connectivity. Furthermore, it is likely that the same processes will be required to repair the injured- diseased brain. This project builds on our preliminary data, that Wnt proteins are important regulators of developing dopamine pathways, and has implications for dopamine disorders including Parkinson’s disease and addiction.
Wnt Signaling In Dopaminergic Neuronal Connectivity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$564,721.00
Summary
A major obstacle in repairing the injured or diseased brain is inducing axons (nerve cell processes) to make the appropriate connections. This is especially true following cell replacement therapy (CRT) in Parkinson's disease (PD). We will examine the processes inducing axons in the dopamine pathways to grow. We hypothesize that Wnt signaling plays and important role and that therapeutic introduction of Wnt is required to repair the dopamine pathways following CRT in PD.
Controlling Neuroinflammation In Alzheimers Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$639,577.00
Summary
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide, with 269,000 Australians currently diagnosed with AD and is expected to soar to about 981,000 by 2050. AD accounts for greater than 60% of all cases of dementia. This grant investigates the role that neuroinflammation plays in the progression and exacerbation of AD and will identify new therapeutic strategies to combat this insidious disease.