Genome editing of haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells to uncover novel therapeutics for Aplastic Anaemia and other Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes. 

2017-2021 Flavorite Fellowship, Genome editing of haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells to uncover novel therapeutics for Aplastic Anaemia and other Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes, Dr Yih-Chih Chan, The University of Melbourne and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

Aplastic Anaemia occurs when the body stops producing enough new blood cells. In about half of Aplastic Anaemia patients, the genetic mutation appears to be in genes that influence expression (epigenetic regulators) not in the conventional gene-coding area itself. This fellowship supports the study of an important group of epigenetic regulator proteins (called polycomb complex) that can modify blood cell development by altering gene expression and activity. 

The studies in this fellowship have identified an epigenetic regulator expressed by haematopoietic stem cells that may be involved in stem cell regeneration. If these studies are correct, then using this knowledge to reverse stem cell exhaustion may help improve bone marrow failure symptoms.