Multifunctional biodegradable nanoparticles for enhanced DNA vaccine delivery. DNA vaccine, which shows better immunological and economic merits than conventional vaccines, suffers clinical failure due to the difficulty of delivering intact DNA molecules to relevant cells. This project seeks to develop smart polymer nanospheres to protect the DNA molecules from premature degradation in order to improve its efficacy.
New methods for the chemical synthesis of a library of glycopeptide-based tri-component cancer vaccines. A novel method for the synthesis of tumour-associated glycopeptides will be developed in this research as well as the preparation of a library of glycopeptide-based cancer vaccines. These vaccines will be tested in immunological studies with a view to elucidating new immune-based therapies for the treatment of cancer.
Total Synthesis of Myxobacteria Metabolites and Analogues. This project will investigate the total chemical synthesis of complex myxobacteria metabolites. In addition, the synthesis of new analogues of some of these natural products will also be investigated. The project endeavours to develop new methods for chemical synthesis and also to produce new therapeutic products which may possess greater efficacy and superior biological activities than the natural compounds. Most significantly, this pro ....Total Synthesis of Myxobacteria Metabolites and Analogues. This project will investigate the total chemical synthesis of complex myxobacteria metabolites. In addition, the synthesis of new analogues of some of these natural products will also be investigated. The project endeavours to develop new methods for chemical synthesis and also to produce new therapeutic products which may possess greater efficacy and superior biological activities than the natural compounds. Most significantly, this project will deliver natural and new compounds for analysis of anti-cancer activity. The rewards of the development of new synthetic methods are enormous for the community and in the education of our scientists.Read moreRead less
Development of prodrug strategies for achieving increased penetration and selective activation in solid tumours. A primary cause of cancer deaths is relapse following treatment resulting from the drug failing to penetrate and destroy all parts of the tumour. The project aims to develop anticancer agents that are better able to reach all parts of the tumour and have toxicities low enough to enable sufficient doses to be used to kill all cancer cells.
The effect of Pt binding to CTR1 on Cu homeostasis and cell phenotype. The copper transport protein CTR1 is commonly believed to transport active cisplatin (a platinum-based anticancer agent) into the cell, but this model is inconsistent with the chemical properties of platinum (Pt) and CTR1. The project aims to interrogate the interaction between CTR1 and Pt in cells by developing new chemical tools for the study of Pt species within cells. It will then study the effect of the CTR1-Pt interacti ....The effect of Pt binding to CTR1 on Cu homeostasis and cell phenotype. The copper transport protein CTR1 is commonly believed to transport active cisplatin (a platinum-based anticancer agent) into the cell, but this model is inconsistent with the chemical properties of platinum (Pt) and CTR1. The project aims to interrogate the interaction between CTR1 and Pt in cells by developing new chemical tools for the study of Pt species within cells. It will then study the effect of the CTR1-Pt interaction on copper homeostasis and cell phenotype. It is expected that the results will provide valuable information on the status of CTR1 and Pt following interaction, and reveal whether less toxic complexes are just as effective in decreasing cell malignancy as cisplatin itself.Read moreRead less
Novel platinum(IV) complexes that are targeted to and trapped by tumours and tumour cells. Platinum complexes continue to be a mainstay in the treatment of solid tumours and their combination with molecularly targeted agents selected for the type of tumour and the mutations identified is expected to lead to continued growth in their use. However, their toxicity remains a major impediment to their use and effectiveness and therefore, this project aims to develop less toxic analogues that are as l ....Novel platinum(IV) complexes that are targeted to and trapped by tumours and tumour cells. Platinum complexes continue to be a mainstay in the treatment of solid tumours and their combination with molecularly targeted agents selected for the type of tumour and the mutations identified is expected to lead to continued growth in their use. However, their toxicity remains a major impediment to their use and effectiveness and therefore, this project aims to develop less toxic analogues that are as least as effective as current drugs. This project will combine recent developments in stabilisation and cellular trapping of platinum(IV) pro-drugs with a range of strategies designed to limit activation of these pro-drugs to the tumour environment.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140101632
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$395,220.00
Summary
Development of Innovative Chemical Tools for Studying Glycosyltransferases . This project aims to develop chemical probes capable of selectively binding and inhibiting two classes of carbohydrate processing enzymes known as O-linked beta-N-acetylglucosamine transferase and sialyltransferases. These enzymes are overexpressed in various cancers and play critical roles in cancer progression. Probes will be developed to analyse the activities of these enzymes in cancer cells.
Discovery of bioactive natural substances from uncultured bacteria and their production using photosynthetic reactor technology. The range and rate of natural product discovery is the limiting factor in developing new therapies for cancer and infectious disease. This research will enable the discovery of new drugs, coupled to their production in a photosynthetic expression system. This represents a truly “green” and sustainable technology for the pharmaceutical industry.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130101673
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Access to biomimetic carbohydrate receptors using dynamic combinatorial chemistry. This project aims to utilise novel synthetic technology for the development of cyclic peptide libraries as novel drug leads for the treatment of Dengue virus, HIV and cancer.
Understanding the Chemical Processes Involved in the Metabolism of Peptide Hormones. Peptide hormones regulate normal physiological activity in humans, and their over-production causes diseases such as cancer. The aims of this project are: to delineate the chemical processes through which these hormones are produced; to develop inhibitors of enzymes involved in hormone production, and agonists and antagonists of receptors through which the hormones act; and to study the ability of the inhibitors ....Understanding the Chemical Processes Involved in the Metabolism of Peptide Hormones. Peptide hormones regulate normal physiological activity in humans, and their over-production causes diseases such as cancer. The aims of this project are: to delineate the chemical processes through which these hormones are produced; to develop inhibitors of enzymes involved in hormone production, and agonists and antagonists of receptors through which the hormones act; and to study the ability of the inhibitors, agonists and antagonists to override and bypass the chemical control mechanisms through which hormone levels are usually maintained at homeostasis. The research is expected to lead to a better fundamental understanding of hormone metabolism, and to underpin the basis for the development of new disease therapies.Read moreRead less