Description
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is a genetically heterogeneous disease characterised by the formation of multiple fluid-filled renal cysts which often lead to end stage renal disease requiring dialysis or kidney transplant. The most common form, is Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) which affects around 1 in 1000 people. We have shown that the protein Aurora Kinase A (AURKA), which is over-expressed in PKD, is an obligate driver of cyst formation in multiple forms of PKD. In every case, genetic deletion of Aurka prevents cyst formation. These findings suggest that the real potentiator of cyst development in PKD is a signalling cascade mediated by AURKA. AURKA has many functions and we seek to understand how AURKA drives renal cystogenesis and to also develop AURKA targeted protein degrader (TPD / PROTAC) therapeutics to reduce the severity of PKD.
Essential criteria:
Minimum entry requirements can be found here: https://www.monash.edu/admissions/entry-requirements/minimum
Keywords
Polycystic Kidney Disease, PKD, Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease, ADPKD, Kidney, Cysts, PROTACS, Aurora Kinase A, AURKA, Targeted Protein Degraders, TPDs
School
Biomedicine Discovery Institute (School of Biomedical Sciences)
Biomedicine Discovery Institute (School of Biomedical Sciences) » Anatomy and Developmental Biology
Available options
PhD/Doctorate
Masters by research
Honours
Time commitment
Full-time
Physical location
Biomedicine Discovery Institute
Co-supervisors
Prof
Ian Smyth