Early Career Investigator Grants 2008
The following Early Career Investigator Grants were funded for 2008;
Blocking AKT signalling and tumourigenicity in glioblastoma cells with microRNA
Chief Investigator: Dr Keith Giles
Associate Investigators: Michael Epis, Professor Peter Leedman
Glioblastomas are brain tumours that are difficult to treat with standard cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. For people who get glioblastomas, the outcome is extremely poor. Recently the features of glioblastomas that make them grow aggressively and become resistant to treatment have been identified. In particular, two small molecules – called nucleic acids – have been identified which have the potential to prevent this aggressive behaviour. This study will test whether these nucleic acids can be used to decrease the aggressive behaviour of the glioblastoma cells and improve response to treatment. If successful, this has the potential to lead to improved treatments for glioblastoma patients.
The Pearl Bethel Allan Research Grant Endowment proudly supports this project in full
A pilot study on occupational diesel exhaust exposure and chronic diseases in current employees at Public Transport Authority
Chief Investigator: Dr Le Jian
Diesel exhaust is a probable human carcinogen but more human studies are required to confirm its role in cancer development. There is relatively little information on occupational diesel exhaust exposure and associated cancer burden in Australia. This project intends to assess occupational diesel exhaust exposure and the spectra of chronic diseases (including cancers) in current workers at the Public Transport Authority, including measuring body burden of a newly discovered carcinogen (3-nitrobenzanthrone) from diesel emissions. This project will provide useful information about diesel exhaust exposure in workplaces and assist further studies on possible relationships between diesel emissions exposure and cancers.
