Contact Details

Email: nadia.el-khawanky@student.adelaide.edu.au

Qualifications:

B.Sc (Biomedical Science)

Biography/Research Focus

The hematopoietic development program requires unique microenvironments that modulate the differentiation and homeostasis of specific blood cell subsets. Research has characterized Osteoblasts as being an essential stromal cell line imperative in early B-cell development and differentiation, showing their ability to support B cell development by secreting CXCL12 and IL-7 soluble factors. Past studies from the Myeloma Research Laboratory have investigated the metabolic mTORC1 protein complex and its role in Osteogenesis, showing that conditional deletion of its Raptor adaptor protein component alters the integrity and function of Osteoblasts in skeletal development. Moreover, hematopoietic assessment showed abnormalities in early B-cell development with a significant elevation in pre-pro B cell numbers and a decrease in pro-B cells. Preliminary findings indicate an important mechanistic role of Osteoblast specific mTORC1 in B lymphopoiesis, however the mechanisms of how OB-mTORC1 supports B lymphopoiesis and whether this is a direct or indirect mechanism is currently undefined and will be investigated in my honours research.