Application Of Novel Sutureless Technology For Eye Surgery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$342,623.00
Summary
Corneal disease and trauma are major causes of blindness. Corneal trauma requires surgical repair and vision lost from disease may be restored with corneal transplantation. In both cases sutures are used and can have significant complications. Application of a new surgical adhesive for cost-effective, quick and easy corneal surgery with enhanced wound healing is an innovative solution to a major problem in public health with manifold implications in the field of eye surgery
There are 140 million contact lens wearers worldwide. Use of contact lenses is associated with ocular inflammation (approximately 2-7% per year). We have developed novel antimicrobial coatings for contact lenses which we have shown in laboratory and animal models can reduce the ability of microbes to adhere to lenses and reduce associated inflammation. This Development project will enable us to generate proof-of-principle in a clinical cohort using existing contact lenses that have been coated u ....There are 140 million contact lens wearers worldwide. Use of contact lenses is associated with ocular inflammation (approximately 2-7% per year). We have developed novel antimicrobial coatings for contact lenses which we have shown in laboratory and animal models can reduce the ability of microbes to adhere to lenses and reduce associated inflammation. This Development project will enable us to generate proof-of-principle in a clinical cohort using existing contact lenses that have been coated using our patented processes.Read moreRead less
Development Of An Ocular Adhesive Film With Local Drug Delivery To Prevent Infection And Inflammation In Corneal Wounds.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$370,915.00
Summary
Corneal wounds and surgery are often accompanied by topical treatments to prevent infection and inflammation. The project will provide an innovative solution with a versatile, easy-to-use device that seals wounds without stitches while delivering the necessary drugs directly to the wound site. This versatile technology will prevent infection and inflammation, provide relief and encourage wound healing. It will be a world's first that will save treatment costs, reduce pain and save sight.
Expression And Secretion Of Large Clostridial Toxins From The Pathogenic Clostridia.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$332,258.00
Summary
The large clostridial toxins are an important family of bacterial virulence factors that includes toxins from many disease-causing clostridial species. Despite their impact on public health, pathogenesis of disease caused by these bacteria is poorly understood. We will analyse how these bacteria regulate the production and secretion of the large toxins, which will give us a better understanding of the mechanisms of disease causation as well as identifying novel common therapeutic targets.
Engineered Antibody Fragments For The Diagnosis And Treatment Of Eye Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$196,886.00
Summary
We plan to investigate the use of genetically-engineered antibody fragments in the diagnosis and treatment of clinically-important human eye diseases. The work will be carried out in experimental models, but the goal is to develop a new class of drugs that will be widely applicable in human inflammatory eye disease and eye infections. Antibodies are natural proteins, found in blood and body secretions, that protect humans from infections. However, they can be made in the laboratory and monoclona ....We plan to investigate the use of genetically-engineered antibody fragments in the diagnosis and treatment of clinically-important human eye diseases. The work will be carried out in experimental models, but the goal is to develop a new class of drugs that will be widely applicable in human inflammatory eye disease and eye infections. Antibodies are natural proteins, found in blood and body secretions, that protect humans from infections. However, they can be made in the laboratory and monoclonal antibodies in particular - those with a single defined specificity - have found widespread use in many medical applications. For the past 15 years, monoclonal antibodies have been used therapeutically, that is, they have been administered to humans to treat some diseases. Antibodies are big proteins that have multiple functions. Their very size and the multiplicity of their actions prevent their use in some therapeutic situations. In recent years, advances in genetic engineering and biotechnology have developed to the extent that small fragments of monoclonal antibodies can be produced in the laboratory with relative ease. Such fragments should have very substantial advantages over intact antibodies in the diagnosis and treatment of human eye disease. Engineered antibody fragments hold enormous potential for ophthalmic use, especially if they can be administered topically as eye-drops. In this project, we aim to determine whether antibody fragments can be used in the diagnosis and the treatment of four potentially blinding conditions: acute anterior uveitis and corneal graft rejection, which are inflammatory eye diseases, and herpetic keratitis and Acanthamoeba keratitis, which are eye infections.Read moreRead less
The Role Of Clostridium Difficile Spore Interactions With The Host In Gastrointestinal Infection And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$511,467.00
Summary
Hospital-acquired infections with the bacterium Clostridium difficile are a major global public health concern with highly virulent isolates emerging overseas in 2002 and in Australia in 2010. These have spread through our hospitals and are also found in the community. This project will increase our understanding of how these strains cause severe gut disease, which is critical for the development of improved strategies for preventing and treating these infections and reducing antibiotic use.
The Impact Of Clostridium Difficile Infection And The Host Immune Response On Colonic Homeostasis And Regeneration.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$932,212.00
Summary
Hospital-acquired infections with the bacterium Clostridium difficile are a major global public health concern with highly virulent isolates emerging overseas in 2002 and in Australia in 2010. These have spread through our hospitals and are also found in the community. This project will increase our understanding of how these strains cause severe gut disease, which is critical for the development of improved strategies for preventing and treating these infections and reducing antibiotic use.
The Role Of Clostridium Difficile Virulence Factors In Mediating The Host-pathogen Interactions That Lead To Gastrointestinal Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$444,351.00
Summary
Hospital-acquired infections with the bacterium Clostridium difficile are a major global public health concern with more virulent isolates emerging overseas since 2000. These strains were detected in Australia in 2010 and are now spreading throughout our hospitals. This project will increase our understanding of how these strains cause disease and why they are more harmful, which is critical for the development of improved strategies for preventing and treating these infections.