There are 140 million contact lens wearers worldwide. Use of contact lenses is associated with ocular inflammation (approximately 2-7% per year). We have developed novel antimicrobial coatings for contact lenses which we have shown in laboratory and animal models can reduce the ability of microbes to adhere to lenses and reduce associated inflammation. This Development project will enable us to generate proof-of-principle in a clinical cohort using existing contact lenses that have been coated u ....There are 140 million contact lens wearers worldwide. Use of contact lenses is associated with ocular inflammation (approximately 2-7% per year). We have developed novel antimicrobial coatings for contact lenses which we have shown in laboratory and animal models can reduce the ability of microbes to adhere to lenses and reduce associated inflammation. This Development project will enable us to generate proof-of-principle in a clinical cohort using existing contact lenses that have been coated using our patented processes.Read moreRead less
Needle Free Delivery Of Dengue And Zika Vaccines To The Skin
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$642,792.00
Summary
There is no Zika vaccine and only one licensed dengue vaccine, which is age and region restricted because of poor efficacy. We have developed safe subunit vaccine candidates capable of inducing potent virus neutralizing antibodies and demonstrated protection from lethal dengue challenge in a mouse model. Here we are partnering with Vaxxas to undertake preclinical development and GLP toxicity trials for microarray patches delivering dengue and zika virus subunit vaccines.
Non-invasive Therapy For Keratoconus – Ultrasound Enhanced Delivery Of Riboflavin To Cornea For Transepithelial Corneal Collagen Crosslinking
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,658.00
Summary
Keratoconus is a degenerative eye disease which causes corneal thinning. The disease causes visual distortions & loss of vision, and is commonly treated with Corneal Cross-Linking. This involves scraping off the outer protective layer of the cornea so that treatment can be applied. This is painful for patients and carries many risks. This grant assists in the development of a device that is able to deliver the reagent in a painless, non-invasive, effective and safe way.
Skin Patch Technology For Fast And Simple Monitoring Of Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$826,064.00
Summary
Micropatch kits will be developed to capture and detect disease-related biomarkers from the skin for diagnostic monitoring, without the need for needles, trained practitioners or expensive laboratory infrastructure
CSI-Sydney: New Technologies To Treat Chronic Sinus Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$412,213.00
Summary
Chronic sinus infection (CSI) is prevalent and results in severe discomfort and pain for many Australians; yet amazingly, has no specific cure or effective treatment. Our multi-disciplinary research team and an Australian health and medical research company, (AFT Pharmaceuticals) have partnered to develop a novel device that specifically targets the sinuses and a formulation capable for simultaneously removing mucus, dispersing biofilms and killing bacteria in the nasal cavities.
A Novel Point Of Care (PoC) Device For Predicting And Monitoring Bleeding And Clotting (haemostasis)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$608,979.00
Summary
Manipulating the bleeding/clotting system is a critical but expensive part of modern medicine, eg some people need blood thinners while others can bleed too much. Thrombin generation is the ideal overall test for the bleeding/clotting of blood, but current methods have major problems. We developed and patented a test that deals with most of the problems. This proposal will create an assay that is easy for doctors to perform without a specialised laboratory.
We will create a new class of cancer radiotherapy system that solves the complex problem of how to target a tumour with precision and accuracy even as the patient’s anatomy changes during treatment. Our Nano-X system is built with real-time imaging guidance and treatment adaptation at the heart of the design process; and complex processing tasks have been moved from hardware to software, enabling radical changes to machine design. Together these innovations will ensure better treatment outcomes.
Innovative Antimicrobial Treatments For Successful Bone Allografts
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$473,706.00
Summary
Bone healing sites are commonly infected, and this is associated with adverse clinical and significant socioeconomic outcomes. These studies will determine whether our novel antimicrobials can be used to reduce bone infections by studying the combination of antimicrobials and bone in laboratory and bone fracture studies whilst minimising the potential of developing antibiotic resistance.
Dengue Fever Vaccine: Towards Low Cost Production And Delivery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$612,039.00
Summary
With rising populations and a warming climate mosquito borne viral diseases will become more prevalent and low-cost vaccine production & delivery systems will become increasingly important. Here a microalgae based vaccine production platform will be coupled to proven Nanopatch & low cost oral vaccine delivery. The focus is on a Dengue virus vaccine, as Dengue causes 400 million infections & 100 million symptomatic cases annually.
Enhanced Deep Brain Stimulation Electrodes For Improved Efficacy In Parkinson’s Disease Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$809,940.00
Summary
We are developing an advanced Deep Brain Stimulation system to improve the treatment for Parkinson’s disease. Current devices benefit only half of the patients, due to imprecision in directing the electrical current to the ideal brain targets. Our system aims to deliver the current more selectively. Our implant will contain more and smaller electrodes. We will also use a state-of-the-art stimulator, implantable on the head, with capabilities far beyond the current technology.