I am a reproductive physiologist who collaborates with a number of leading Hospital, University and Institute Research Groups nationally and internationally examining the potential of genetically modified pigs as organ, tissue and cell donors for humans.
Development of dense gas technology platforms for the formulation of oral vaccines. This project will aim to develop a technology platform that enables the formulation of vaccines that can be delivered orally and this research has the potential to radically change existing vaccination regimens. The availability of needle-free vaccination also has potential for considerable societal and economic impact in developing countries.
Drug Targeting to Immune Cells Using Modified Inulin Particles. Vaxine Pty Ltd is an Australian biotechnology company that has discovered specific particulate forms of inulin that are efficiently internalised by human immune cells. This project aims to exploit cell migration to injury and infection sites by attaching drugs to inulin particles creating a targeted drug delivery system. This system will transport drugs specifically to afflicted areas, reducing systemic concentrations of drugs and h ....Drug Targeting to Immune Cells Using Modified Inulin Particles. Vaxine Pty Ltd is an Australian biotechnology company that has discovered specific particulate forms of inulin that are efficiently internalised by human immune cells. This project aims to exploit cell migration to injury and infection sites by attaching drugs to inulin particles creating a targeted drug delivery system. This system will transport drugs specifically to afflicted areas, reducing systemic concentrations of drugs and hence the risks of dose related side effects. This project has potential both to improve healthcare and to encourage the growth of expertise in the biotechnology industry in Australia.Read moreRead less
Discovery Of Novel Heart Failure Therapeutics Via Development Of A Next Generation Therapeutic Screening Platform: Force-generating Human Heart Tissue Micro-arrays
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$463,524.00
Summary
In this project we will develop a micro scale platform containing 384 miniature human heart muscle strips. The technology we develop will enable us to determine the strength of the contraction of each strip which is a model of heart function. This provides us a platform to better understand heart disease and also to screen for new drugs for heart failure.
Studying the impact of pulsed magnetic fields on neural tissue. This project will determine the optimal parameters of pulsed magnetic fields for treating the ageing and/or damaged brain. The safety features, low cost and compact size of the medical device being investigated maximise compliance and make it relevant to populations in remote and rural areas.
Transforming drug screening technology. Transforming drug screening technology. This project aims to develop field-leading microchip technology, including the ability to measure contraction of micro-tissues on a chip. Micro-chip technology is in its infancy for use in drug discovery. However, interest in development and applications in Pharma and Biotech industries is immense. The project is intended to take proof-of-concept studies through to the “working model” stage and then to a level of ind ....Transforming drug screening technology. Transforming drug screening technology. This project aims to develop field-leading microchip technology, including the ability to measure contraction of micro-tissues on a chip. Micro-chip technology is in its infancy for use in drug discovery. However, interest in development and applications in Pharma and Biotech industries is immense. The project is intended to take proof-of-concept studies through to the “working model” stage and then to a level of industry-utility, focussing on predictive value, reproducibility and throughput. Successful development of the drug discovery micro-fluidics chip is expected to improve efficiency, reduce the costs and the use of experimental animals.Read moreRead less
Development And Application Of A Novel Technology, CaptureSeq, To Focus Sequencing To Discover Genes In ‘empty’ Genomic Regions Associated With Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$421,747.00
Summary
Dr. Mercer will develop a new technology, CaptureSeq that is able to focus RNA sequencing on targeted regions of interest. This focus gives CaptureSeq an unprecedented sensitivity to discover new genes and regulatory elements in regions of the genome that have been associated with disease but are otherwise barren and empty. This project will thereby uncover both new genes candidates for further disease research and develop a technology with unique and widespread research and clinical potential.
Understanding heat shock protein complex vaccines. This project aims to understand the mechanism of action and formulation requirements of a novel vaccine technology that utilises heat shock protein complexes. By understanding how this technology works, future vaccines can be improved to induce the immune response required to target specific pathogens, as well as give assurance regarding its safety.
Engineered Spiky Silica Nanoparticles As Effective Immune Adjuvants By Activating Inflammasome And Enhancing Cellular Uptake
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Vaccination is a triumph of preventative healthcare in Australia and worldwide. Despite substantial advances in vaccine development, some of the most lethal diseases still lack effective vaccines. This project aims to generate a novel immune adjuvant with excellent safety to promote antigen immunity by rationally designing surface structure of nanomaterials. Successful completing of this project has great potential to bring new, safe and potent vaccines for some infectious disease and cancer.
My research involves the generation of human cell types from of human embryonic stem cells. These normal human cells could potentially be used for transplantation, drug screening and vaccine development.