HIV is one of the highest public health priorities of our time. Traditional vaccines have been unsuccessful highlighting the need for alternative approaches to HIV vaccine design. We propose to modify a novel technology developed initially for targeted drug delivery, termed “capsules”, for the purpose of inducing an immune response. This is a generic technology with applications for other infectious diseases and cancer and brings together disparate disciplines of nanochemistry and immunology.
Preventing And Treating Significant Infections In The Community And In Hospitals
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$328,990.00
Summary
Infections that require hospitalisation are common and a significant event for patients. This research will look at severe influenza and define how protective the influenza vaccination is against hospitalisation. It will also look at preventing healthcare associated infections and in particular those involving antibiotic resistant "superbugs".
Identifying And Exploiting Novel Pharmacological Targets For Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$431,000.00
Summary
Breast cancers are made up of different types of cancer cells, and not all cells contribute equally. A subset of cancer cells may be uniquely capable of driving tumor growth, rebuilding fatal tumors after therapy and establishing new tumors at distant sites. Identifying and exploiting the pathways that regulate the activity and survival of these cells will lead to better modes of treatment, and move towards a relapse-free future for breast cancer patients.
In this fellowship I will develop methods to improve the way drugs are delivered through the use of nanotechnology. Nanoparticles can be used to protect delicate drugs from degrading, and to make sure drugs are delivered where they are required. This helps to lower side effects and improve efficacy of a range of drugs. I lead a multi-disciplinary research team dedicated to understanding of how nanoparticles interact with biological systems, so we can engineer better drug delivery systems.