Pre-clinical Assessment Of Novel Growth Factor Complexes As A Topical Agent In The Treatment Of Deep
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$156,870.00
Summary
Healing of deep burns, unlike that of superficial injuries, often resolves with scarring. Scarring is reduced with rapid closure of burns. The CIs have discovered and patented novel growth factor complexes that stimulate the growth and migration of keratinocytes, cells derived from skin. Hence these complexes hold therapeutic potential for wounds that require rapid closure such as deep burns. This application will provide pre-clinical, proof-of-principle data to facilitate future patient trials.
Targeting Protein Kinase C In Diabetes Management Using Novel Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$150,000.00
Summary
PKC regulates a diverse range of cellular processes in an isozyme-specific manner. There is strong recent evidence to implicate PKC, especially PKC _, in mediating the actions of glucose in diabetes. This includes the action of glucose in renal glomeruli, retina, aorta and heart of diabetic animals and in cultured cells from these organs. More importantly, inhibition of PKC_ with the PKC_-specific inhibitor, LY333531, blocks the actions of glucose. Recently, our research group designed and synth ....PKC regulates a diverse range of cellular processes in an isozyme-specific manner. There is strong recent evidence to implicate PKC, especially PKC _, in mediating the actions of glucose in diabetes. This includes the action of glucose in renal glomeruli, retina, aorta and heart of diabetic animals and in cultured cells from these organs. More importantly, inhibition of PKC_ with the PKC_-specific inhibitor, LY333531, blocks the actions of glucose. Recently, our research group designed and synthesised a family of novel polyunsaturated fatty acids. One of these, MP5 (_-oxa- 21:3n-3), inhibited high glucose-induced activation of PKC? in cultured mesangial cells as well as in glomeruli of diabetic rats in a relatively selective manner. The overall aim of this proposal is to evaluate the potential for a chemically engineered novel polyunsaturated fatty acid, MP5 (_-oxa-21:3n-3), to treat pathogenesis associated with diabetes by targeting the PKC system. The specific aims are to: 1. Characterise the effects of MP5 on glucose- or advanced glycosylation end product-stimulated activation of protein kinase C (PKC). 2. Determine whether esterification of MP5 into diacylglycerol is essential for the action of MP5 3. Investigate whether MP5 is efficacious at preventing the actions of glucose in vitro e.g. glucose stimulated TGF_ production in mesangial cells, and in vivo in streptozotocin-diabetic rRead moreRead less
Reducing The Burden Of Joint Replacement: An Innovative Biofeedback Device For Post-Surgical Rehabilitation.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$169,500.00
Summary
This project aims to develop a robust wearable device capable of providing immediate audible feedback with respect to knee motion for enhanced post-knee replacement surgery rehabilitation, suitable for use by older people both independently and supervised at home or in the clinic. As there is a current unmet need for such wearable biofeedback devices, this project will lead to intellectual property generation, strengthened partnerships between the involved parties and identification of an indust ....This project aims to develop a robust wearable device capable of providing immediate audible feedback with respect to knee motion for enhanced post-knee replacement surgery rehabilitation, suitable for use by older people both independently and supervised at home or in the clinic. As there is a current unmet need for such wearable biofeedback devices, this project will lead to intellectual property generation, strengthened partnerships between the involved parties and identification of an industry partner to commercialise the technology.Read moreRead less
Development And Biological Evaluation Of Cytokine Macrophage-migration Inhibitor (MIF) Non-Steroidal Antagonists
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$85,000.00
Summary
The cytokine macrophage-migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has a broad range of pro-inflammatory effects in the innate and adaptive immune system. CIA’s lab has demonstrated the potential importance of MIF in the pathology of chronic inflammation via studies in models of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Similarly to other chronic inflammatory diseases, MIF is overexpressed in human RA, and induces activation of key pathological processes in RA cells. Moreover, antagonism of MIF with mAb profoundly inhi ....The cytokine macrophage-migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has a broad range of pro-inflammatory effects in the innate and adaptive immune system. CIA’s lab has demonstrated the potential importance of MIF in the pathology of chronic inflammation via studies in models of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Similarly to other chronic inflammatory diseases, MIF is overexpressed in human RA, and induces activation of key pathological processes in RA cells. Moreover, antagonism of MIF with mAb profoundly inhibits models of RA and other inflammatory diseases, confirming MIF as a therapeutic target in human inflammatory disease. The X-ray crystal structure of MIF has been published and the putative active site fully characterised. We have deduced structural features of MIF that reveal aspects of the structural complementarity of host-guest affinity. This information has been used in the synthesis of new compounds to antagonise MIF. We have designed, synthesised and tested several classes of compounds, which have shown activity from milli to nano-molar levels in novel in-house in vitro bioassays.Read moreRead less
Development Of A Fibre-optic Flow Sensor To Monitor Blood Platelet Adhesive Function.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$187,550.00
Summary
The ability to accurately diagnose platelet dysfunction is key to the clinical management of many cardiovascular diseases which represent a major cause of mortality in the industrialised world. At present there is no clinically robust instrument that can accurately assess abnormal platelet function under conditions that closely mimic the physiological environment. We aim to develop a sensitive prototype instrument for the clinical assessment of platelet function. We propose to develop this medic ....The ability to accurately diagnose platelet dysfunction is key to the clinical management of many cardiovascular diseases which represent a major cause of mortality in the industrialised world. At present there is no clinically robust instrument that can accurately assess abnormal platelet function under conditions that closely mimic the physiological environment. We aim to develop a sensitive prototype instrument for the clinical assessment of platelet function. We propose to develop this medical device as a relatively cheap and portable point of care instrument that can be marketed internationally.Read moreRead less