The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research

ARC Future Fellowships 2011–15

ARC Future Fellowships 2011–15 awarded to Walter and Eliza Hall Institute researchers are listed below alphabetically by surname. Alternatively, you can download a list of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute ARC Future Fellows for 2011–15.

 

Dr Jeff Babon, Cancer and Haematology and Structural Biology divisions, $620,628

Project title: Inhibiting pathological signalling in haematopoietic disease

Project summary: Certain leukaemias and other blood diseases are caused by the mutation of one particular molecule, called Janus Kinase (JAK), inside our bodies. This project aims to understand the biochemical details of these diseases by studying this mutated molecule in detail. The project will aim to provide the information for developing effective therapeutics against these diseases.

 

Dr Gabrielle Belz, Molecular Immunology division, $930,168

Project title: Cellular and molecular networks controlling protective immunity

Project summary: This research aims to understand how a handful of master-regulator genes act to program immune cells required for immune responses to microbes, vaccination and to prevent cancer. It will provide a fundamental advance in our understanding of immune cell development and impact strategies aimed at the prevention and treatment of pathogen infections.

 

Dr Leigh Coultas, Cancer and Haematology division, $714,528

Project title: Determining the molecular regulation of blood vessel development and angiogenesis

Project summary: Abnormal blood vessel growth is associated with diseases including cancer, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and chronic inflammation. This project focuses on understanding normal blood vessel growth in order to gather clues to help discover ways of preventing abnormal blood vessel growth during disease.

 

Dr Matthew McCormack, Cancer and Haematology division, $714,528

Project title: Studying precancerous stem cells that cause T cell leukaemia

Project summary: Recent research has identified abnormal stem cells that are the cause of T cell leukaemia. They are also resistant to therapeutics suggesting that they could be a cause of relapse. The aim of this project is to determine the abnormal pathways that cause these cells to become immortal and to determine new therapeutic strategies to eliminate them.