An anti-calcitonin receptor (CTR) antibody for the detection of programmed cell death: the role of CTR in a novel adaptive response in a pre-apoptotic mechanism
- Research Opportunity
- Honours
- Number of Honour Places Available
- 1
- Department
- Medicine and Radiology
- Location
- Austin Health
| Primary Supervisor | Number | Webpage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr Peter Wookey | pwookey@unimelb.edu.au | Personal web page |
Project Details
Programmed cell death (PCD) is an essential process in life. For apoptosis the sequelae of events resulting in capitulation and PCD, include changes in mitochondrial membrane potential, shunting of phosphatidylserine to the cell surface, activation of caspases, chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation, amongst other key molecular events. Another key pathway activated in PCD is autophagy, initially a response to cell stress. We have found evidence of expression of CTR during the pre-apoptotic cell stress response [4]. There are two common isoforms of human calcitonin receptor (CTR) which differ by an extra 16-amino acid insert in CTRb. While the pharmacology of CTRa (insert-negative) has been well established [5], little is known about the physiological role of CTRb (insert-positive) in cells. We are exploring a role in pre-apoptotic cell stress using unique antibodies developed here, including one antibody that binds the insert sequence.
Faculty Research Themes
School Research Themes
Cancer in Medicine, Cardiometabolic
Research Opportunities
Honours
Students who are interested in joining this project will need to consider their elegibility as well as other requirements before contacting the supervisor of this research
Key Contact
For further information about this research, please contact a supervisor.
Department
Research Group / Unit / Centre
Cardiovascular and Tumourivascular Laboratory
Research Node
Austin HealthMDHS Research library
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