Australian Government injects MRFF funding into stem cell research

Professor Mark Dawson was one of three researchers to receive funding from the Federal Government’s Stem Cell Therapies Mission, through The Centre for Stem Cell Systems, to further understanding of leukaemia and explore new stem-cell based therapies to treat this currently incurable condition. The grants are part of a $5.9 million dollar Australian Government investment. 

Identifying novel therapeutic Targets in leukaemia stem cells

Professor Mark Dawson from the University of Melbourne and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre will join A/Professor Brendon Monahan, Chief Scientific Officer at Cancer Therapeutics CRC and Dr Paul Stupple, who leads the medicinal chemistry efforts for Cancer Therapeutics CRC, to study and understand the molecular events that underpin the unique properties of leukaemia stem cells and their role in acute myeloid leukaemia, a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow.

The focus for this project is to ultimately translate their discoveries into new therapeutic opportunities that will extend the survival of patients with this aggressive and often incurable malignancy.

The team anticipate that the results will have a significant global impact as they are addressing an urgent and unmet clinical need, which is to develop novel drugs to eradicate leukaemia stem cells.

Source: School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Melbourne

https://biomedicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au/departments/anatomy-and-neuroscience/engage/cscs/news-and-events/MRFF-funding