Mammalian chitinases and gene therapy: new weapons to combat fungal and insect attack in mammals. Plants combat fungal and insect attack by producing chitin degrading enzymes. Related, chitinolytic enzymes have been identified in mammals, but their functions are unclear. We found that chitinases from human macrophages inhibited fungal growth. We hypothesise that, like plants, mammalian chitinases are produced to fight chitin containing pathogens. We will transform cells with a chitotriosidase ge ....Mammalian chitinases and gene therapy: new weapons to combat fungal and insect attack in mammals. Plants combat fungal and insect attack by producing chitin degrading enzymes. Related, chitinolytic enzymes have been identified in mammals, but their functions are unclear. We found that chitinases from human macrophages inhibited fungal growth. We hypothesise that, like plants, mammalian chitinases are produced to fight chitin containing pathogens. We will transform cells with a chitotriosidase gene and encapsulate them, creating bioreactors secreting chitinases. Therapeutic effects will be tested by grafting bioreactors to mice inoculated with Aspergillus. The research is a new approach to fighting chitin containing pathogens, with potential applications from parasite infestations in livestock to fungal infections in humans.Read moreRead less
THE ROLE OF SMALL NON CODING RNAS IN BONE MARROW MEDIATED TUMOR ANGIOGENESIS. Despite advances in treatment and diagnosis cancer remains the leading underlying cause of deaths, representing about a third of all deaths each year in Australia (ABS stats. www.abs.gov.au). The ability to understand the process of tumour vascularisation and spread has enormous economic and social outcomes. Indeed, the most effective anti-angiogenic therapy developed to date Avastin (aka Bevacizumab), although providi ....THE ROLE OF SMALL NON CODING RNAS IN BONE MARROW MEDIATED TUMOR ANGIOGENESIS. Despite advances in treatment and diagnosis cancer remains the leading underlying cause of deaths, representing about a third of all deaths each year in Australia (ABS stats. www.abs.gov.au). The ability to understand the process of tumour vascularisation and spread has enormous economic and social outcomes. Indeed, the most effective anti-angiogenic therapy developed to date Avastin (aka Bevacizumab), although providing only a modest survival advantage (4-6 months) has annual sales of several billion dollars. microRNA represent a relatively newly discovered form of gene activity regulation. Taking a key leadership role in this area will put Australian science at the forefront of international research initiatives.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0452281
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$102,900.00
Summary
Muscle Vascular Research and Gene Therapy Using Ultrasound. We seek funds to set up a national facility for ultrasound in muscle vascular research and gene therapy. Ultrasound with microbubbles will be used for the imaging of muscle microvascular blood flow and as a delivery modality for gene constructs to endothelial cells that control blood flow. The technology has application to (i) the assessment and therapeutic treatment of impaired microvascular function as in diabetics; (ii) the assessmen ....Muscle Vascular Research and Gene Therapy Using Ultrasound. We seek funds to set up a national facility for ultrasound in muscle vascular research and gene therapy. Ultrasound with microbubbles will be used for the imaging of muscle microvascular blood flow and as a delivery modality for gene constructs to endothelial cells that control blood flow. The technology has application to (i) the assessment and therapeutic treatment of impaired microvascular function as in diabetics; (ii) the assessment of adaptation to physical training and (iii) the development of therapeutic agents used to treat diabetes. We anticipate improved technology that is fully characterized and novel therapeutics that improve microvascular blood flow.Read moreRead less
Gene therapy to enhance auditory prosthesis performance for cochlear implants. The cochlear implant is the most effective neural prosthesis, restoring hearing to the deaf. The research aims to develop a new type of implant compatible with delivery of therapeutic genes to the cells lining the cochlea. Gene therapy DNA constructs will be developed that will enhance neural survival and growth, improving cochlear implant performance. The research will provide advances in understanding how to tran ....Gene therapy to enhance auditory prosthesis performance for cochlear implants. The cochlear implant is the most effective neural prosthesis, restoring hearing to the deaf. The research aims to develop a new type of implant compatible with delivery of therapeutic genes to the cells lining the cochlea. Gene therapy DNA constructs will be developed that will enhance neural survival and growth, improving cochlear implant performance. The research will provide advances in understanding how to transfer genes into cochlear tissue, as well as development of gene cassettes for effective neural repair. The work will advance the field of bionics, an area where Australia is establishing international preeminence.Read moreRead less
Ultrasound in muscle vascular research, and gene therapy. This project focuses on ultrasound and microbubbles for the imaging of microvascular blood flow patterns in skeletal muscle and as a modality for drug delivery. The aim is to develop and refine technology specifically for (i) assessment of muscle microvascular flow in health and disease, and for (ii) delivery of state-of-the art gene constructs to endothelial cells that control blood flow in the muscle microvasculature. We anticipate impr ....Ultrasound in muscle vascular research, and gene therapy. This project focuses on ultrasound and microbubbles for the imaging of microvascular blood flow patterns in skeletal muscle and as a modality for drug delivery. The aim is to develop and refine technology specifically for (i) assessment of muscle microvascular flow in health and disease, and for (ii) delivery of state-of-the art gene constructs to endothelial cells that control blood flow in the muscle microvasculature. We anticipate improved technology for early diagnosis of impairment in microvascular flow relevant to muscle insulin resistance and novel therapeutics that improve muscle microvascular blood flow applicable to the treatment of diabetes.Read moreRead less
Novel Hybrid Inorganic Nanoparticles for Effective siRNA Delivery to Neurons. This project will lead to a more efficient and reliable drug delivery system to treat Huntington's disease. The insights and technology gained from this project will be directly applicable for many human diseases, both within and outside the central nervous system. This project will make a major contribution to the ARC's goal of maintaining good health and promises to significantly reduce the financial and psychologica ....Novel Hybrid Inorganic Nanoparticles for Effective siRNA Delivery to Neurons. This project will lead to a more efficient and reliable drug delivery system to treat Huntington's disease. The insights and technology gained from this project will be directly applicable for many human diseases, both within and outside the central nervous system. This project will make a major contribution to the ARC's goal of maintaining good health and promises to significantly reduce the financial and psychological burdens to patients' family and community. This project will encourage inter-disciplinary approaches to research and train highly skilled researchers both in neuroscience and nanobiotechnology to advance Australia's industrial competitiveness.Read moreRead less