NEWS FROM THE CAMPUSES OF M O NASH UNIVERSITY M 0 N ASH VOLUME 6 NUMBER 5 JULY 2003 ------ -­ l ' ;\ I \. E I~ SIT Y A typical mall embryonic gonadal c:eU Scientists discover ~' clue to sex reversal &? GENETICS Professor David Jans, from Monash's Medical Research Council has funded the research. ln IIVII".-weell-Old typical male human Department of Biochemistry and Molecular "We have been particularly interested in ernbIyoa tile tIIdI can only be formed If SRV The mystery as to why some people who are Biology, and Associate Professor Vincent Harley, altered SRY forms that seem to be normal A proteins enter tile nuoIeus where they bind with genetically male are born with female reproductive from the Human Molecular Genetics laboratory in terms of DNA binding but still cause sex organs or genitalia has been unravelled by scientists at PHIMR, have collaborated to show that in reversal," Professor Jans said. "By studying the DNA, turnln. on .... requlnlcl to make I boy. at Monash University and Prince Henry's Institute several intersex patients, SRY does not move into DNA ofsex-reversed people, we've shown that, in in 1MII-W8Ik-old Swyer ayncIJUmllI11bryot, of Medical Research (PHIMR). the nucleus. Their research has been published some cases at least, the sex reversal occurs through BteeteI cannot funn due to tile Inlblllty of The findings could help identify these intersex in the US journal Proceedings of the National a transport problem - SRY can't get to where it SHY pnJteIns to enter tile nucleullnd bind to people in utero, a diagnosis that could not only Academy ofScienw. needs to be in the cell, in the nucleus." D prepare expectant parents but also - because "If SRY cannot move into the nucleus and About one in 4000 Australians are sex-reversed intersex people are often at high risk of gonadal perform its role in regulating the expression of - males or females born with reproductive significant because it is the first example ofa human cancer - could allow preventive health measures the genes responsible for the formation of the organs or genitalia that do not match their genetic variation arising ftom a gene change that to be considered as early as possible. testis, this can lead to an XY female," Professor sex chromosomes, said Dr Harley. Until now restricts the movement of a protein, in this case In humans, male sex chromosomes are usually Jans said. "Our research has focused on how there has been no scientific explanation for the SRY, into the nucleus ofa cell." XY and females XX. A gene on the Y chromosome proteins get into the nucleus, how that process is molecular basis of most intersex conditions. - Penny Fannin known as SRY determines sex and its presence regulated and how that might result in disease." "This research not only helps to better means a person is male. But when an XY human Dr Harley has been working on SRY protein for understand the molecular basis ofsex determination CONTACT: has mutations in SRY, male-to-female sex reversal the past 11 years and collaborating with Professor but also explains the effects of the genetic mutations [email protected] occurs, a condition called Swyer syndrome. Jans for about six years. The National Health and in intersex children," he said. "The research is also Ph: +61 3 9905 3778 Premier's award for protein researcher BIOCHEMISTRY Outstanding young talent: Dr James Irving with the award presented to him Research by a Monash University academic by the Premier, Mr Steve Bracks. into a family of proteins called serpins and their role in controlling cell growth has Unit - played a critical role in the success of earned him the 2003 Victorian Premier's my project." he said. Award for Medical Research. Dr Irving received a trophy, a certificate Dr James Irving, a research fellow in the and $16,000 to help continue his work. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Mr Bracks also announced rhat rhe Jack Biology, was presented with his award by and Robert Smorgon Families Foundation Victorian Premier Mr Steve Bracks at a had entered into a partnership with the ceremony at Government House recently. government to award a trophy and $16,000 The annual award recognises outstanding to the department or institute in which rhe work by young Victorian scientists and winning research project was undertaken. Mr provides some practical help to encourage Jack Smorgon, chairman of the foundation, them to continue their careers. presented the inaugural award to Professor Dr Irving has studied a protein called Christina Mitchell, head of the Department MENT that is capable of switching off large of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. sections of DNA. The protein is part of the The Premier also issued a commendation life In the robots' Garden of Eden: Associate Professor Andy Russell and Adam the robot. serpin family. to Dr Jason Gill from Monash's Department See story on page 7. Photo: Melissa 01 Clero "In humans, serpin dysfunction contributes to ofPathology and Immunology for his research diseases as diverse as emphysema, cirrhosis, breast into the development of the human thymus, cancer and thrombosis," Dr Irving said "My a crucial part of the immune system. r=.rch examined rhe way in which rhe serpin Dr Gill's studies led to the identification NEWS OPINION ARTS MENT causes rhe chromatin in cells to condense, of stem cells that enable growrh of a fully Academics unite to A volatile Act Rare Australian rhereby stopping cell growrh and division." functioning thymus. The findings could One of rhe major challenges for today's lead to a novel therapeutic strategy aimed fight Identity fraud In Victoria, a new Act fiction on show scientists is understanding the factors rhat control at restoring this organ in the aged, people allows police to detain Monash University's More than 100 works of Dr Irving employed a variety of undergoing chemotherapy and those with children suspected of cell growth. Professor Kim Langfield­ Australian fiction from immune disease. chroming "for their own techniques from fields including biochemistry, Smith is part of an the Monash University srrucrural biology and bioinformatics. - Penny Fannin good" - even when they international team Library Rare Books "The breadth of the expertise of my combating the growing have committed no Collection are featured supervisors, Dr James Whisstock and Dr CONTACT: problem of ID fraud. crime. in a special exhibition. PageS Rob Pike, and key facilities within the [email protected] Page 3 Page 6 department - such as the Structural Biology Ph: +61 3 9905 3781 2 ------------------------------NEWS ----------------------~~~~~ Accreditation US fundina boost for - IN8RIEF-­ for Monash ~ Monash people are honoured by nation Monash Univetsity alumna and Malaysia blood diso ders re earch Qantas chair Ms Margaret Jackson degrees and Monash University Council B IOSCIENCE CaMllf,!litllc: Dr member Mr John Laurie have ~ Perkins from ENGINEERING received the nation's highest award Monash Universiry research that Mori8h's Department - CompaaiQJl in the Order of Monash University Malaysia (MUM) has aims [0 improve treatments for major of Pliysiology and Australia (AC) - in the 2003 become the first institution in Malaysia blood diseases has received more than Associate Professor Queen's Birthday HooOUll. to achieve full proh:ssional accreditation $AIA million from the National Crossley from Ms Jackson received Iiei aWlrd in both Malaysia and Austtalia for two Institutes of Health (NIH) in the US. Universl1;y of" for servi(% to business in diverse of its engineering degm:s. The research, on sickle cell anaemia ~ and !I:ading Australian corporatkml MUM pro vice-chancellor Professor and ~thaIassemia, is a coUaboration Pboto: I ... FGId and to the community in the area Robert Bignall said the Malaysian between Dr Andrew Perkins from ofsupport for medical research, Engineering Accreditation Council Monash's Department of Physiology the arts and a4wPtion. (EAC) and Institution of Engineers and Associate Professor Merlin Crossley Mr Uurie)\'llS ~for Australia (IEAust) had accredited and Dr Joel Mackay from the School thalassaemia is also an IerViceto~ the mechatronics and mechanical of Molecular and Microbial Biosciences important health issue in in Australia, to1he expoIt-Of engineering degrees. at the University of Sydney. It his A\Is~a. engineering services ova!Ieas aqd to "The panel members who visited been funded for four years. Dr Perkins and Dr community support in education, us were very satisfied with the quality In humans, haemoglobin produced Crossley have been health and major in6astrucruR of our staff. program and facilities, during fetal life differs . from that coUaborating on haemo­ devdopment. the interaction with the engineering produced after birth. People with globin research for about A Monash University Council profession and the quality of students mutations in the adult globin gene 10 .Yeats since they weo: member since 1999, Mr Laurie the university produces," Professor exhibit serious blood diseaaes su research has had a disdnguiihed c:ieei' as Bignall said. · Our engineering Students as sickle cell disease and thalassemia together in a consulting en&ineer on major have been performing well in their (Cooley's anaemia). Boston. infrastructure projects. examinations. In f.act, their academic Together, these two disorders are Dr Perkins said the performance has been slightly better among the most common genetic NIH grant was a welcome Top prize for 'Kylle' aveIage than their peers Australia, diseases in the world. People with "At present, the identities of the ackoowledgement thar Australian on in A virtual reality surgical simulator cell who sit the same examinations." sickle disease have repeated sickle proteins that regulate the switching scientists produced quality research developed at Monash University has The EAC and IEAust accreditations 'crises' that result from blood cel1s process between feral and adult globin with implications for improving human won a prestigious scientific award.