The proposal is to set-up a high-standard cell culture facility that will enable the establishment of a national repository of quality-controlled vertebrate cell lines derived from various tissues and species. This will facilitate high quality studies in a wide range of areas of basic health and medical research and in biotechnology.
Building An Immunocompetent Alzheimer’s Disease Brain-on-a-chip
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$458,937.00
Summary
New human cell culture models of Alzheimer's disease are urgently needed to help translate drugs into successful patient outcomes. In this proposal we will develop an Alzheimer's disease brain-on-a-chip that contains the major human brain cell types and neuropathological features of the Alzheimer's. We will demonstrate the applicability of the model for identifying new Alzheimer's disease drugs and diagnostics and show that the model can be readily adopted by Australian Alzheimer's researchers.
Emotionally traumatic experiences are well remembered and, in some instances, frequent reminders of these events can lead to the development of fear-related anxiety disorders such as phobia or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The experiments outlined in this proposal will examine how a novel epigenetic mechanism of gene regulation contributes to the transition from the retrieval of a fear memory to its inhibition through a process called extinction.
There is an urgent need for engineered tissue repair and replacement components for cartilage implantation in damaged joints due to a shortage of donor tissue. This project will generate smart composite biomaterials with enhanced mechanical strength and physical properties that are desirable for cartilage repair. The fabricated scaffolds will mimic the microstructure of native cartilage and are next-generation biomaterials designed to facilitate cartilage regeneration.
Development Of A Cultured Tissue Substitute To Repair The Ageing Retina
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$63,267.00
Summary
The ultimate goal of my research is to develop an effective, affordable and accessible treatment for patients afflicted with age related macular degeneration (AMD). The novelty of my study is that I will use a protein extracted from silk as a form of scaffold on which to grow new retinal tissue, with the view to replacing the damaged tissue that eventually leads to permanent loss of sight in AMD patients.