Control of SNARE-mediated granule fusion in mast cells [ 2001 - 2003 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Keith Stanley (Principal investigator) ,  Russell Ludowyke

Brief description Asthma is an allergic disease affecting two million Australians. A major player in asthma is the mast cell which releases histamine when the cell is stimulated by antigen. The process by which histamine is released involves fusion of cytoplasmic granules containing the histamine with the cell surface membrane. The mechanism of this fusion process appears to be different in mast cells compared with other cells studied, raising the possibility that release of histamine, and hence the acute allergic response, could be controlled if more were understood about the fusion process. This project aims to define the mechanism by which granules dock and then fuse with the cell surface. These are the two apects most likely to be unique in mast cells.

Funding Amount $AUD 196,527.54

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant