Oxidation Of Mismatch: A New Concept For Mutation Detection Which Avoides A Separation Method In Mutation Scanning
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$143,000.00
Summary
Detection of faults (mutations) in genes is expensive but essential for proper genetic health care. Because of the cost of such tests many people are not diagnosed either through diagnostic labs or research of the cost of such tests many people are not diagnosed either through diagnostic labs or research projects. Such research projects are inhibited due to the complexity of the current methods. Current methods are complex and expensive, especially looking for a possible fault, due to what is ca ....Detection of faults (mutations) in genes is expensive but essential for proper genetic health care. Because of the cost of such tests many people are not diagnosed either through diagnostic labs or research of the cost of such tests many people are not diagnosed either through diagnostic labs or research projects. Such research projects are inhibited due to the complexity of the current methods. Current methods are complex and expensive, especially looking for a possible fault, due to what is called a preparation step on complex and expensive equipment. We will develop and commercialise a simpler test because separation is avoided.Read moreRead less
Rapid, Point Of Care Diagnostic Tests To Differentiate HA Subtypes In Patients Samples
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$168,293.00
Summary
A number of rapid, point-of-care tests are available for the detection of human and avian influenza types, but they vary greatly in sensitivity. In particular, these tests are based on current strains of H5 (avian) influenza, and may be unable to detect variant or pandemic strains, and negative results can give the false impression that patients do not have H5 influenza. We will develop rapid, point-of-care tests based on highly conserved parts of the virus, so that all H5 strains (current and f ....A number of rapid, point-of-care tests are available for the detection of human and avian influenza types, but they vary greatly in sensitivity. In particular, these tests are based on current strains of H5 (avian) influenza, and may be unable to detect variant or pandemic strains, and negative results can give the false impression that patients do not have H5 influenza. We will develop rapid, point-of-care tests based on highly conserved parts of the virus, so that all H5 strains (current and future) can be detected with equal sensitivity, along with the H1 and H3 strains that are currently found in man to provide a definitive diagnosis. These tests will be valuable in the identification and differentiation of pandemic influenza cases, allowing better use of public health resources, especially against a background of continuing standard (H1 and H3) influenza infections.Read moreRead less
Culture-independent Microbiology: Reducing Delays In The Diagnosis Of Severe Infections And Detection Of Antimicrobial Resistance From Days To Hours.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$949,589.00
Summary
Serious infections require early effective antibiotic treatment. To provide evidence that an antibiotic will be effective, current tests take 2-5 days and this leads to a reliance on broad spectrum antibiotics, which can cause harm. Our new diagnostic methods, can produce results in 4-6 hours. We will demonstrate the real-world benefit of these methods by assessing samples taken from patients with three high risk infections and compare our test to currently available results.
How Do Glycosaminoglycans Promote The Propagation Of Prions?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$512,270.00
Summary
The prion diseases are a group of transmissible, neurodegenerative disorders affecting both humans and animals. The most common form in humans is sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), although acquired (variant CJD) and inherited (familial CJD) forms are recognised. Prion diseases are transmissible to the same species by inoculation with, or dietary exposure to, infected tissues. The infectious agent, referred to as a prion , has not been identified at the molecular level. However, a major c ....The prion diseases are a group of transmissible, neurodegenerative disorders affecting both humans and animals. The most common form in humans is sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), although acquired (variant CJD) and inherited (familial CJD) forms are recognised. Prion diseases are transmissible to the same species by inoculation with, or dietary exposure to, infected tissues. The infectious agent, referred to as a prion , has not been identified at the molecular level. However, a major component of purified prions is an abnormal disease associated form of the host encoded prion protein. Understanding how the disease associated form of the prion protein is generated and how host-derived cofactors contribute to its formation will help in our understanding of the infectious nature of these diseases and in the development of effective therapeutic and prophylactic strategies. Glycosaminoglycans are host-derived components of the extracellular matrix that are associated with prion protein plaques found in the brain tissue of patients with prion diseases. Glycosaminoglycans are believed to influence the transmission of prions and the ongoing propagation of infectivity. In this study the importance of glycosaminoglycans in the formation of the disease associated prion protein and the generation of infectivity will be investigated using both cell-free and cell-based models of prion propagation. The understanding gained from this study will be used to develop a high throughput assay that can be used to detect prion infection prior to the development of clinical disease and within a time frame whereby therapeutic intervention may be effective.Read moreRead less
Novel Genes And Protein In Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Potential Basis Of A Serum-based Assessment Of Disease Sta
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$200,000.00
Summary
The most common cause of elevated liver function tests is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NALFD is a spectrum of disease ranging from steatosis, to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a condition associated with the development of fibrosis in the majority of individuals. Approximately 20% and 3% of adults are affected with NAFLD and NASH, respectively, and NAFLD is expected to become the next major liver epidemic facing the western world, far exceeding the prevalence of chronic infe ....The most common cause of elevated liver function tests is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NALFD is a spectrum of disease ranging from steatosis, to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a condition associated with the development of fibrosis in the majority of individuals. Approximately 20% and 3% of adults are affected with NAFLD and NASH, respectively, and NAFLD is expected to become the next major liver epidemic facing the western world, far exceeding the prevalence of chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus. We obtained liver biopsies from patients with NAFLD, 80% of whom had NASH, and determined the expression profile analysis of each subject using 19,200 element microarrays. Our data demonstrates the concordant differential expression of 130 genes, in subjects with NAFLD that were categorizes into 6 major metabolic and regulatory pathways. Many of these genes represented uncharacterised genes. Utilising an extensive bioinformatics approach we have been able to define the genes and their protein product. The use of these proteins as a diagnostic tool for the detection of NAFLD forms the basis of a provisional patent application. However, measurements of protein levels in tissue and sera from patients with NAFLD are needed for the development of a diagnostic method. Such information would also provide significant insight into the pathogenesis of NAFLD. The AIMS are: 1) Production of antibodies against proteins encoded by candidate genes Expression profile of candidate genes 3) Expression of proteins encoded by candidate genes in patients with NAFLDRead moreRead less
Improving Immunoassays For The Diagnosis Of Latent Tuberculosis Infection In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$489,006.00
Summary
WHO highlights the urgent need for new tests for tuberculosis (TB). Diagnosis of latent TB infection (LTBI) is vital in children to prevent them developing active TB. A tuberculin skin test has long been used but is not always accurate. More accurate blood tests (immunoassays) have recently been developed which improve the diagnosis of LTBI in adults. However, we have shown that these assays do not work well in children. We aim to improve the performance of immunoassays for diagnosing LTBI in ch ....WHO highlights the urgent need for new tests for tuberculosis (TB). Diagnosis of latent TB infection (LTBI) is vital in children to prevent them developing active TB. A tuberculin skin test has long been used but is not always accurate. More accurate blood tests (immunoassays) have recently been developed which improve the diagnosis of LTBI in adults. However, we have shown that these assays do not work well in children. We aim to improve the performance of immunoassays for diagnosing LTBI in children.Read moreRead less
Rapid Point Of Care Detection Of Avian Influenza Virus Using Ion-Channel Switch Biosensor
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,400.00
Summary
The project aims to demonstrate a rapid, Point-of-Care test based on the Ion Channel Switch (ICS_) Biosensor for the detection and identification of Avian Influenza (AI) Virus in respiratory specimens. This proposal combines the extensive scientific skills and experience of the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science (IMVS), Adelaide with the experience and existing capability of Ambri Ltd, Chatswood Sydney, to adapt an existing ICS_ Biosensor for the detection of avian influenza virus in cl ....The project aims to demonstrate a rapid, Point-of-Care test based on the Ion Channel Switch (ICS_) Biosensor for the detection and identification of Avian Influenza (AI) Virus in respiratory specimens. This proposal combines the extensive scientific skills and experience of the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science (IMVS), Adelaide with the experience and existing capability of Ambri Ltd, Chatswood Sydney, to adapt an existing ICS_ Biosensor for the detection of avian influenza virus in clinical specimens. The existing ICS_ Biosensor has been shown to have reactivity with inactivated Influenza A (H1N1 and H3N2 _ current, circulating human strains) and with recombinant Nucleoprotein. This unique mix of experience and infrastructure will permit the demonstration a rapid, point-of-care test for Avian Flu within the tight six months schedule.Read moreRead less
Development And Validation Of A Latent Tuberculosis Diagnostic
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$534,865.00
Summary
Globally, tuberculosis is a leading cause of death with 9.6 million new diagnoses in 2014. The diagnosis of latent TB infection is important, but is difficult to make because current assays are suboptimal. We have developed a very simple assay which detects responses to TB antigens by co-expression of two surface markers expressed by CD4+ T cells. We propose to develop this into a highly standardised kit for the diagnosis of TB with our commercial partner Cytognos.
The Development Of A Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) Assay For The Detection Of Strongyloides Stercoralis In The Stool.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$127,494.00
Summary
A new test will be developed for the detection of the worm, Strongyloides stercoralis in the stool. S. stercoralis infects millions of people worldwide and occurs in the north of Australia. It can occasionally cause a ‘hyperinfection’ with fatal consequences. The test is based on the DNA detection method, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), which can be performed using simple equipment. The aim will be to make this test as easy possible to perform and to evaluate its effectiveness.