Eradicating leukaemic stem cells by targeting the arginine methyltransferase PRMT5 [ 2015 - 2018 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: A/Pr David Curtis (Principal investigator) ,  A/Pr Andrew Wei ,  A/Pr Jody Haigh ,  Prof Stephen Jane

Brief description Acute leukemia is a devastating cancer arising from primitive cells in the bone marrow called stem cells. We have identified a protein (PRMT5) that is highly expressed in leukemia stem cells. Our preliminary experiments suggest that blocking the function of this protein with a novel drug can stop the growth of these cells. This project will use a variety of mouse models of acute leukemia to determine how PRMT5 keeps stem cells alive and whether this drug will be a valuable new treatment.

Funding Amount $AUD 770,950.78

Funding Scheme Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant