The biosynthesis of structural proteins in parasites. The socio-economic impact of parasitic diseases, in Australia and throughout the world, is enormous- they kill 2-3 million people per year and cost livestock industries billions of dollars per annum. Some are serious food and waterborne threats, such as the coccidia, because they are transmitted from person-to-person via the faecal-oral route, or via ingestion of contaminated water or food, or through the ingestion of cysts in raw or underco ....The biosynthesis of structural proteins in parasites. The socio-economic impact of parasitic diseases, in Australia and throughout the world, is enormous- they kill 2-3 million people per year and cost livestock industries billions of dollars per annum. Some are serious food and waterborne threats, such as the coccidia, because they are transmitted from person-to-person via the faecal-oral route, or via ingestion of contaminated water or food, or through the ingestion of cysts in raw or undercooked meat. They cause diarrhoea, which in some cases, can be life-threatening. We will understand how the coccidia protect themselves as they move from host to host and, through that understanding, develop new ways to control them and eliminate the suffering caused by parasitic diseases.Read moreRead less
The dynamics of viral latency in chronic infection. Although many acute infections can now be controlled, we still suffer from a large number of chronic infections such as HIV or herpes that cannot be eradicated. Many of these infections persist because they can lie dormant in a 'latent' state. How this latent state is established, and how long it lasts are important to understand if we want to control these infections. We have assembled a team of mathematicians, immunologists and virologists in ....The dynamics of viral latency in chronic infection. Although many acute infections can now be controlled, we still suffer from a large number of chronic infections such as HIV or herpes that cannot be eradicated. Many of these infections persist because they can lie dormant in a 'latent' state. How this latent state is established, and how long it lasts are important to understand if we want to control these infections. We have assembled a team of mathematicians, immunologists and virologists in order to study latent infection at the cellular level, and within infected monkeys. This will provide the first insights into the dynamics of latency - how these cells are produced and die - and should lead to novel approaches to controlling chronic infection.Read moreRead less
Regenerating lizard tails: A model for understanding the process of lymphangiogenesis. In humans, impaired lymphatic drainage in limbs causes the debilitating swelling termed lymphoedema. Lymphoedema affects 500,000,000 people worldwide. In the developed world lymphoedema predominantly results from surgery for cancer, and occurs in approximately 25% of breast cancer patients. We will examine lymph vessel regeneration (lymphangiogenesis) in a naturally regenerating, complex structure (the lizard ....Regenerating lizard tails: A model for understanding the process of lymphangiogenesis. In humans, impaired lymphatic drainage in limbs causes the debilitating swelling termed lymphoedema. Lymphoedema affects 500,000,000 people worldwide. In the developed world lymphoedema predominantly results from surgery for cancer, and occurs in approximately 25% of breast cancer patients. We will examine lymph vessel regeneration (lymphangiogenesis) in a naturally regenerating, complex structure (the lizard tail), to describe the regrowth process and determine the abundance, location, functional properties and molecular control of the new lymphatics. Furthermore, if reptilian lymphatic growth factors can promote lymphangiogenesis in mammals, we can design novel therapeutic approaches using reptilian ligands to promote lymphangiogenesis in lymphoedematous human tissues.Read moreRead less
Discrete particle simulation of powder dispersion in pharmaceutical aerosol inhalers. A successful completion of the project will i) greatly enhance the Australian R&D profile and capabilities of both computational modelling and pharmaceutical aerosol research in the world; ii) provide an improved delivery of therapeutic dose to patients via inhalers with better performance to enhance the therapeutic benefits; iii) enable wide availability of inexpensive and effective pharmaceutical inhalation p ....Discrete particle simulation of powder dispersion in pharmaceutical aerosol inhalers. A successful completion of the project will i) greatly enhance the Australian R&D profile and capabilities of both computational modelling and pharmaceutical aerosol research in the world; ii) provide an improved delivery of therapeutic dose to patients via inhalers with better performance to enhance the therapeutic benefits; iii) enable wide availability of inexpensive and effective pharmaceutical inhalation products to the Australian community for the treatment of asthma and other diseases, iv) facilitate environmentally friendly technology since powder aerosol delivery does not require any harmful organic solvents to operate.Read moreRead less
Synthesis of nanoparticles by impinging liquid-jet precipitation for inhalation drug delivery. The project aim is to develop a state of the art technology for the efficient, reliable and economical production of nanoparticles of drugs suitable for inhalation delivery to the lung. Nanoparticles can penetrate deeper into the lung where they deposit and dissolve faster for enhanced therapeutic effects. The project will focus on both the production process and the particle properties for aerosol a ....Synthesis of nanoparticles by impinging liquid-jet precipitation for inhalation drug delivery. The project aim is to develop a state of the art technology for the efficient, reliable and economical production of nanoparticles of drugs suitable for inhalation delivery to the lung. Nanoparticles can penetrate deeper into the lung where they deposit and dissolve faster for enhanced therapeutic effects. The project will focus on both the production process and the particle properties for aerosol administration. Successful development of the technology will not only gain new knowledge in the key area of nanotechnology, but also lead to better inhalation therapy to benefit patients.Read moreRead less
Development of a novel process for the formation of particles with controlled surface architecture for respiratory drug delivery. A successful conclusion of this project will enhance substantially the competitiveness of Australia's research in functional nanomaterials and advanced biomaterials. The Australian pharmaceutical industry will gain through the ability to develop proprietary pharmaceutical formulations targeted towards taking advantage of the novel process. Patients of asthma, lung inf ....Development of a novel process for the formation of particles with controlled surface architecture for respiratory drug delivery. A successful conclusion of this project will enhance substantially the competitiveness of Australia's research in functional nanomaterials and advanced biomaterials. The Australian pharmaceutical industry will gain through the ability to develop proprietary pharmaceutical formulations targeted towards taking advantage of the novel process. Patients of asthma, lung infection and other serious health problems will benefit from an improved delivery of therapeutic dose at a much reduced cost. The technology is environmentally friendly as powder aerosol delivery does not require any harmful organic solvent to operate.Read moreRead less
High Gravity Precipitation of Nanoparticles for Pulmonary Drug Delivery. This collaborative project aims to explore the huge market potential of drug delivery by inhalation aerosols using nanoparticles. It will apply cutting edge nanotechnology to develop new techniques using high gravity to synthesise particles of biomaterials suitable for inhalation. Nanoparticles can penetrate deeper into the lung where they deposit and dissolve faster for enhanced therapeutic effects. Successful developme ....High Gravity Precipitation of Nanoparticles for Pulmonary Drug Delivery. This collaborative project aims to explore the huge market potential of drug delivery by inhalation aerosols using nanoparticles. It will apply cutting edge nanotechnology to develop new techniques using high gravity to synthesise particles of biomaterials suitable for inhalation. Nanoparticles can penetrate deeper into the lung where they deposit and dissolve faster for enhanced therapeutic effects. Successful development of the technology will position both Australia and the industry partner to take a lead in the application of this novel technology in pharmaceutical aerosols, and provides better inhalation therapy to benefit patients.Read moreRead less
Defining targets and generating tools/therapeutic agents for prevention, diagnosis and therapy of atherothrombosis. Atherosclerosis and its complications such as myocardial infarction and stroke are a major cause of death and disability in Australia and worldwide. The proposed research program investigates new therapeutic targets and concepts (e.g. targeting of stem cells) to treat atherosclerosis and aims to develop new therapeutic agents using modern biotechnological methods. The project furth ....Defining targets and generating tools/therapeutic agents for prevention, diagnosis and therapy of atherothrombosis. Atherosclerosis and its complications such as myocardial infarction and stroke are a major cause of death and disability in Australia and worldwide. The proposed research program investigates new therapeutic targets and concepts (e.g. targeting of stem cells) to treat atherosclerosis and aims to develop new therapeutic agents using modern biotechnological methods. The project further aims to develop nanoparticle-based diagnostic tools to identify and preventatively treat atherosclerotic plaques that are prone to cause myocardial infarction. The expected outcome will provide direct benefit to patients and create new economic opportunities in Australian bio-/nanotechnology.Read moreRead less
Understanding the cardioprotective effects of flavonols. Heart attack and stroke are a major cause of death and disablement in Australia. Current therapies do not treat the underlying causes of these diseases. In this project we will investigate a promising new drug treatment for these diseases and will determine how this poorly understood drug acts to reduce damage to the heart. This project will lead to new treatments for cardiovascular diseases and will enhance our understanding of the causes ....Understanding the cardioprotective effects of flavonols. Heart attack and stroke are a major cause of death and disablement in Australia. Current therapies do not treat the underlying causes of these diseases. In this project we will investigate a promising new drug treatment for these diseases and will determine how this poorly understood drug acts to reduce damage to the heart. This project will lead to new treatments for cardiovascular diseases and will enhance our understanding of the causes of these disease states.Read moreRead less
The role of SGK-1 and SGK-2 in hypertension and nephropathy in diabetes mellitus. The key objective is to define the suitability of the serum glucocorticoid regulated kinases -1 and -2 (SGK-1, -2) as novel drug discovery targets. A specific inhibitor targeting SGK-1 and -2 will be tested to determine if it reverses the enhanced sodium reabsorption and extracellular matrix production characteristic of progressive renal failure in in vitro models models of renal disease. These inhibitors present a ....The role of SGK-1 and SGK-2 in hypertension and nephropathy in diabetes mellitus. The key objective is to define the suitability of the serum glucocorticoid regulated kinases -1 and -2 (SGK-1, -2) as novel drug discovery targets. A specific inhibitor targeting SGK-1 and -2 will be tested to determine if it reverses the enhanced sodium reabsorption and extracellular matrix production characteristic of progressive renal failure in in vitro models models of renal disease. These inhibitors present an opportunity to control hypertension whilst simultaneously limiting fibrosis in the kidney. Renal failure is steadily increasing and is now the single largest health care cost to the community. These studies will provide the proof of concept required to ultimately bring this novel preventative therapy to the community.Read moreRead less