The development and evaluation of a new therapy for the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections in hospitals. The technology used in this project will enable products to be developed from the Australian dairy industry which may safely provide protection and treatment for diarrhoea acquired in hospitals for which there are few effective options. The product will be cost effective and can be used as a public health tool to control outbreaks in those most susceptible to severe disease.
Establishment of Therapeutically Relevant Animal Models and Markers for Crohn's Disease. Crohn's disease is a devastating life long disease, affecting 0.5% of the world population. There is urgent economic and social need to develop new and better drugs to treat the symptoms and underlying cause of this debilitating disease. Social benefits include the improved quality of life of sufferers that positively impacts society. Economic benefit includes income derived from commercialisation of rese ....Establishment of Therapeutically Relevant Animal Models and Markers for Crohn's Disease. Crohn's disease is a devastating life long disease, affecting 0.5% of the world population. There is urgent economic and social need to develop new and better drugs to treat the symptoms and underlying cause of this debilitating disease. Social benefits include the improved quality of life of sufferers that positively impacts society. Economic benefit includes income derived from commercialisation of research outcomes and the contribution this project makes to high value employment in the biotechnology sector.Read moreRead less
Gastrointestinal parasites and their diagnosis. Gastrointestinal disease such as diarrhoea, abdominal pain and irritable bowel syndrome are common in the Australian population and there are a wide variety of causes, including potentially parasites. The parasite Dientamoeba fragilis has, until recently, been overlooked as a cause of human disease, but recent studies have confirmed its role as a pathogen. This project seeks to improve the diagnosis of this organism in faeces and this development ....Gastrointestinal parasites and their diagnosis. Gastrointestinal disease such as diarrhoea, abdominal pain and irritable bowel syndrome are common in the Australian population and there are a wide variety of causes, including potentially parasites. The parasite Dientamoeba fragilis has, until recently, been overlooked as a cause of human disease, but recent studies have confirmed its role as a pathogen. This project seeks to improve the diagnosis of this organism in faeces and this development will allow effective treatment to be used in patients thereby ameliorating disease.Read moreRead less
New genes and models for inflammatory bowel disease. Inflammatory bowel disease affecting millions of people world-wide and results in a significant economic burden ($100M in Australia per year). In collaboration with Australia’s largest biotechnology company, CSL, we will use a novel approach to discover the causes of inflammatory bowel disease. This work will lead to the development of new animal models of inflammatory bowel disease that are vital for analysing the disease and testing treatmen ....New genes and models for inflammatory bowel disease. Inflammatory bowel disease affecting millions of people world-wide and results in a significant economic burden ($100M in Australia per year). In collaboration with Australia’s largest biotechnology company, CSL, we will use a novel approach to discover the causes of inflammatory bowel disease. This work will lead to the development of new animal models of inflammatory bowel disease that are vital for analysing the disease and testing treatment options. In addition, this work may lead to new approaches to treating this disease. The project will result in a greater understanding of inflammatory bowel disease, the training of highly skilled scientists and potentially lead to economically valuable knowledge.Read moreRead less
New uses for milk-derived products for eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection and gastro-intestinal site-specific delivery of active agents. Helicobacter pylori is the most significant bacterial pathogen in the world, infecting 50% globally. Current treatments are inducing rapid antibiotic resistance and are thus becoming increasingly less effective. The infection is acquired in childhood and new methods to prevent and/or treat the infection, minimising acquisition of antibiotic resistance ....New uses for milk-derived products for eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection and gastro-intestinal site-specific delivery of active agents. Helicobacter pylori is the most significant bacterial pathogen in the world, infecting 50% globally. Current treatments are inducing rapid antibiotic resistance and are thus becoming increasingly less effective. The infection is acquired in childhood and new methods to prevent and/or treat the infection, minimising acquisition of antibiotic resistance are urgently required. This project seeks to develop new ways of doing this that combine novel antibacterials with techniques to deliver them (and monitor this delivery) as well as modify the complex protective habitat in the stomach.Read moreRead less
Natural Therapeutic Products from Shark Bile. Scymnol and its sulfate are natural therapeutic products from shark bile with highly potent anti-oxidant and liver-protective activities. The Industry Partner and Macrides have co-patented the synthesis of scymnol to avoid using scarce natural resources. However, unresolved problems in scale-up of production have prevented them from supplying the growing demands of cosmetic and health food companies. Our research group has recently developed a potent ....Natural Therapeutic Products from Shark Bile. Scymnol and its sulfate are natural therapeutic products from shark bile with highly potent anti-oxidant and liver-protective activities. The Industry Partner and Macrides have co-patented the synthesis of scymnol to avoid using scarce natural resources. However, unresolved problems in scale-up of production have prevented them from supplying the growing demands of cosmetic and health food companies. Our research group has recently developed a potential synthetic route for scymnol sulfate. The present project aims to develop a commercially-viable scale-up of this synthesis for manufacturing scymnol and scymnol sulfate to solve current supply problems; and to provide essential safety information for their appropriate use; and evaluate potential new therapeutic uses.Read moreRead less
Development of Insulin-like peptide 5 (INSL5) peptide analogues as novel therapeutics. Insulin-like peptide 5 (INSL5) is a naturally-occurring hormone in the body that likely plays a role in the control of appetite. This project aims to develop new molecules based on INSL5 that could be suitable for use as drugs to treat various appetite-related disorders, such as obesity (where patients eat too much) or anorexia (where patients eat too little).
Development of novel cereal grain products for wheat and gluten intolerant Australians. Many Australians claim to have wheat or gluten intolerances and this has led to the growing demand for wheat and gluten free grain products. The most common problems reported by individuals relate to gut symptoms and chronic fatigue. There are a number of dietary factors in cereal products that may be responsible for triggering these symptoms including the presence of poorly absorbed carbohydrates and wheat g ....Development of novel cereal grain products for wheat and gluten intolerant Australians. Many Australians claim to have wheat or gluten intolerances and this has led to the growing demand for wheat and gluten free grain products. The most common problems reported by individuals relate to gut symptoms and chronic fatigue. There are a number of dietary factors in cereal products that may be responsible for triggering these symptoms including the presence of poorly absorbed carbohydrates and wheat gluten itself. This partnership between Monash University and George Weston Foods will develop novel food products that will be better tolerated by Australians reporting wheat and gluten intolerances. This will help provide the cereal industry with a competitive edge and improve the sustainability of the Australian agriculture sector.Read moreRead less
Regulation of neuronal cell death signalling for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. The progression of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and motor neuron diseases, are often underpinned by neuronal cell death-signalling. This project aims to characterise molecules that regulate cell death signalling, thereby increasing our knowledge of how neuronal cell death can be inhibited.
The development and testing of a device to enhance the application of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation. This project aims to develop and evaluate a new device designed to substantially enhance the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation, a technology, which is increasingly being applied in the treatment of disorders such as depression, as well as in the study of normal and abnormal brain function.