Project title
The role of BANF1 in Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Ageing
Supervisory Team
Principal Supervisor: Dr Karsten Schrobback
Associate Supervisors: Professor Derek Richard, Dr Emma Bolderson
Project description
Harrison is investigating the role of Barrier-to-Autointegration factor 1 (BANF1), a nuclear envelope and chromatin-binding protein, in osteocyte progenitor cell ageing. BANF1 has been found to negatively regulate DNA repair proteins PARP1 and DNA-PK, with an A12T homozygous mutation of this protein leading to an increased affinity for PARP1, reducing its DNA repair capacity. This variant has been associated with Nestor-Guillermo Progeria Syndrome in which features many premature ageing characteristics, including severe osteoporosis and osteopenia.
Short Biography
Harrison grew up in New South Wales before moving to Far North Queensland to commence his tertiary studies in Cairns. He lived in Townsville for three years to complete his undergraduate degree, and now lives in Brisbane to pursue a career in research at the Cancer and Ageing Research Program at QUT. Harrison’s research interests are on the molecular biology of ageing and age-related diseases, and advancing personalised medicine to treat such diseases and prolonging human health span.
Education
2020 Bachelor of Biomedical Science (BBiomedSc) from James Cook University