Human Olfactory Neurosphere-derived Cells: A Novel Cellular Model For Parkinson's Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$365,126.00
Summary
ParkinsonÍs disease (PD) is an incurable, brain disease that affects 75,000 Australians with great societal cost. We are working on adult stem cells called (hONS) grown from peopleÍs olfactory mucosa (in the nose) as a research tool to study PD. Our project examines differences seen in hONS from people with PD and determines how certain cellular processes impact on the function of these cells. This work will enhance our understanding of the biology of PD and identify new targets for therapies.
From Maps To Efficient Multi-parasite Control In The Philippines
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$358,121.00
Summary
Schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths are major parasitic infections in Asia, causing anaemia, poor growth and poor school performance and death in some chronic schistosomiasis cases. We will use maps to demonstrate the geographic distribution of these parasites in the Philippines. We will estimate the impact and costs and benefits of parasite control programmes. This research will help plan more efficient parasite control and reduce the impact of these infections in the Philippines.
A Model Quality Assurance Program For Red Spot Whiting Based On The Clarence River Fisheremen's Co-operative Facilities
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$30,000.00
Summary
Objectives: 1. Produce a market study in conjunction with pivate sector companies to isolate the markets and segments of these markets interested in red spot whiting 2. Develop a strategy to achieve implementation of a QA program by the Co-operative 3. Use personnel involved in the implementation of this strategy as a facilitator for TAFE's curriculum design
Containment Potential And Risk Of Spread Of Artemisinin Resistant Plasmodium Falciparum
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$381,762.00
Summary
Significant gains have been made in the past decade in reducing falciparum malaria morbidity and mortality using artemisinin-base combination therapy (ACT) and insecticidal nets. However the recent emergence of artemisinin resistance threatens these achievements. This project will develop and use a mathematical model of malaria transmission incorporating resistance to the drugs in ACTs to investigate the probability and rate of spread of resistance into new areas endemic for malaria.
Using An Established Simulation Model To Determine Effective And Cost-effective Interventions To Mitigate Influenza Pandemics And Inform Public Health Policy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$416,353.00
Summary
A novel disease spread and economic model is used to determine the cost-effectiveness of a range of mitigation strategies aimed at a future influenza pandemic. A simulation model generates data on which individuals become ill, morbidity and mortality characteristics, an economic costing model determines optimal interventions.
Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram: Development Of A Laboratory Model For Infectious Challenge Of Pacific Oysters (Crassostrea Gigas) With Ostreid Herpesvirus Type-1
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$134,990.00
Summary
The need for further information to assist with the response to OsHV-1 is universally acknowledged by the aquaculture industry broadly, government agencies charged with biosecurity and aquatic animal health scientists in Australia and internationally. Access to a standardised, reproducible and transferable laboratory infection model is critical to ongoing research efforts. Such a model provides a precise method of testing the effect of factors which are suspected to influence the outcome of ....The need for further information to assist with the response to OsHV-1 is universally acknowledged by the aquaculture industry broadly, government agencies charged with biosecurity and aquatic animal health scientists in Australia and internationally. Access to a standardised, reproducible and transferable laboratory infection model is critical to ongoing research efforts. Such a model provides a precise method of testing the effect of factors which are suspected to influence the outcome of an infectious challenge with OsHV-1 on Pacific oysters. The most promising factor for enabling continuation of Pacific oyster production despite the threat of OsHV-1 infection is the identification of genetic variation in susceptibility to POMS. The demand for efficient progress in selective breeding programmes requires a laboratory infection model which is suitable for screening large numbers of candidate families and provides results which can be reliably interpreted.
Objectives: 1. Production and long-term storage of large quantities of a standard OsHV-1 inoculum 2. Evaluation of methods to provide a standard, measured OsHV-1 infection challenge 3. Definition of the outcomes of infectious challenge including mortality, development of histopathological lesions and quantities of OsHV-1 present in tissues 4. Determination of the dose-response under standardised challenge conditions, including variation due to the age of the oysters 5. Determination of the repeatability, reproducibility and transferability of the standard infection challenge 6. Assessment of the susceptibility of flat oysters (spat and adult) to OsHV-1 infection. Read moreRead less
NCCP: Essential Studies On Cyprinid Herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3) Prior To Release Of The Virus In Australian Waters
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$406,564.50
Summary
Studies underpinning the further development of an epidemiological model As the modelling work has progressed, the modelling team has determined that understanding transmission is a critical factor in the further development of the model. This will be addressed by two projects: (1) The relative amounts of virus in the skin and mucus of infected fish vs shed virus in the water (2) The relative importance of direct versus indirect transmission of CyHV-3 between fish
Studies underpinning the further development of an epidemiological model As the modelling work has progressed, the modelling team has determined that understanding transmission is a critical factor in the further development of the model. This will be addressed by two projects: (1) The relative amounts of virus in the skin and mucus of infected fish vs shed virus in the water (2) The relative importance of direct versus indirect transmission of CyHV-3 between fish
Objectives: 1. Determine the most important form of transmission of CyHV-3 between carp. Read moreRead less
Disease, particularly Perkinsus disease, is seen as the fourth major risk to the sustainability of the abalone fishery in SA (SA Fisheries & Aquaculture Five Year Research and Development Strategy). Perkinsus disease causes ongoing losses to the industry, losses that are expected to increase with global warming unless some action is taken to curb the disease. This project will explore one approach that may be feasible to control Perkinsus and thus reduce its impact on the industry.
A ....Disease, particularly Perkinsus disease, is seen as the fourth major risk to the sustainability of the abalone fishery in SA (SA Fisheries & Aquaculture Five Year Research and Development Strategy). Perkinsus disease causes ongoing losses to the industry, losses that are expected to increase with global warming unless some action is taken to curb the disease. This project will explore one approach that may be feasible to control Perkinsus and thus reduce its impact on the industry.
A recent project in California (Culver and Kuris, in press) successfully eradicated a species of mudworm from abalone by removal of the most susceptible shell (N. Bax, CSIRO, pers. com.) Objectives: 1. To determine the extent and nature of Perkinsus infection around Taylor Island, identification of possible reservoir hosts, the production of an epidemiological model, and recommendations on appropriate management methods. Read moreRead less
New High Thoughput Animal Models To Investigate Amyloid Beta Toxicity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$402,223.00
Summary
Amyloid-beta is widely considered to cause Alzheimer’s disease. The majority of amyloid-beta in Alzheimer's disease brains is found as shortened forms. The role of these shortened forms is uncertain and are not being tested in current animal models. We propose to develop new models to determine and compare their respective toxic effects, and to use these new models to help identify drugs to treat Alzheimer's disease.
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.