Low-Cost Portable Inhalation Therapy Platform For Needle-Free DNA-Based Influenza Vaccination
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$524,644.00
Summary
Influenza affects a large proportion of the global population and can result in many deaths in a pandemic. A DNA influenza vaccine overcomes the possibility of severe side effects associated with commonly used vaccines based on weakened viruses and can be rapidly produced and easily transported without refrigeration. DNA vaccines are however unstable and difficult to deliver. We propose to address this with a low-cost and portable handheld device which allows the vaccine to simply be inhaled.
Novel Inhalation Formulation Of Colistin And Combination Therapy Against Gram-negative 'superbugs'
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$513,896.00
Summary
Respiratory infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria are major health problems for Australians. Colistin is the last-resort defense in most cases. However, parenteral administration of colistin will cause serious side effects. This proposal applies an interdisciplinary approach using aerosol particle engineering, functional lung imaging and antimicrobial pharmacology to develop and characterise novel inhaled powder formulations of colistin and its rational combinations.
Engineering Powder Aerosols Of Antibacterial Nanomedicines For Treatment Of Respiratory Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$195,338.00
Summary
This project aims to apply cutting-edge nanotechnology to develop new inhalation therapy for respiratory infections by delivering antibiotics directly to the lungs. The expected outcomes of this work are more efficacious, safer and cost effective treatments for patients suffering from respiratory infectious diseases such as pneumonia.
Rapid point-of-care detection of genomic variations for personalised medicine. Selecting treatment based on a person’s genetic profile can improve drug safety and efficacy, but the application is hampered by the inconvenience, slow result turnaround and high cost of current lab-based tests. Full implementation of personalised medicine in clinical practice requires a point-of-care testing system. This project aims to overcome the challenges involved in developing such a system by validating novel ....Rapid point-of-care detection of genomic variations for personalised medicine. Selecting treatment based on a person’s genetic profile can improve drug safety and efficacy, but the application is hampered by the inconvenience, slow result turnaround and high cost of current lab-based tests. Full implementation of personalised medicine in clinical practice requires a point-of-care testing system. This project aims to overcome the challenges involved in developing such a system by validating novel rapid genotyping methods and developing ultrasensitive real-time DNA detection that will be integrated on a single chip platform to facilitate a small, low cost and reliable test device. The technology will be readily adaptable to areas where prompt access to genomic information is valuable, such as disease diagnosis and risk prediction.Read moreRead less
A novel platform-technology for long-term subcutaneous neurophysiology. This project aims to develop a novel miniature device for subcutaneous and tetherless brain sensing. It addresses the lack of a device solution for brain-sensing that combines ultra-long-term reliable sensing capability and small dimensions for minimally-invasive procedures. We achieve this through our novel electrode architecture that significantly enhances the quality and reliability of recorded brain signals. We introduce ....A novel platform-technology for long-term subcutaneous neurophysiology. This project aims to develop a novel miniature device for subcutaneous and tetherless brain sensing. It addresses the lack of a device solution for brain-sensing that combines ultra-long-term reliable sensing capability and small dimensions for minimally-invasive procedures. We achieve this through our novel electrode architecture that significantly enhances the quality and reliability of recorded brain signals. We introduce a platform technology designed for subscalp anatomy with future use in various brain-machine interfacing applications relying on reliable, long-term and easy-to-implant systems. This project's device manufacturing, training, and intellectual property are expected to strengthen Australia's position in bioelectronics.Read moreRead less
Novel graphene nanostructures: modelling, synthesis, fabrication and characterisation. As a key nanomaterial for future electronics, graphene is rapidly becoming one of the most promising frontier areas of nanotechnology throughout the world. This project aims to develop a new class of graphene nanostructures that hold great potential for large-scale applications in the next generation nanoelectronic devices, sensors, solar cells and light emitting devices. This project will significantly enhan ....Novel graphene nanostructures: modelling, synthesis, fabrication and characterisation. As a key nanomaterial for future electronics, graphene is rapidly becoming one of the most promising frontier areas of nanotechnology throughout the world. This project aims to develop a new class of graphene nanostructures that hold great potential for large-scale applications in the next generation nanoelectronic devices, sensors, solar cells and light emitting devices. This project will significantly enhance the international competitiveness of Australia in the areas of new materials and nanotechnology and will help place Australia at the forefront of nanotechnology. This project will produce high quality PhD students in nanotechnology.Read moreRead less
Diamond glass: An all-carbon technology for neural networks and biosensing. This project aims to use plasma deposition to synthesise diamond glass with the highest purity and the most diamond-like character so that it meets the strict requirements for emerging device applications. The extreme properties of diamond glass arise from the diamond-like bonding of the majority of its atoms. This amorphous, wide bandgap semiconductor is also the hardest known glass. The maximum diamond-like content pos ....Diamond glass: An all-carbon technology for neural networks and biosensing. This project aims to use plasma deposition to synthesise diamond glass with the highest purity and the most diamond-like character so that it meets the strict requirements for emerging device applications. The extreme properties of diamond glass arise from the diamond-like bonding of the majority of its atoms. This amorphous, wide bandgap semiconductor is also the hardest known glass. The maximum diamond-like content possible in diamond glass coatings is unknown, so determining its ultimate performance is difficult. Expected applications include medical diagnostics, non-volatile memories and programmable chips.Read moreRead less
Thermoelectric devices for high-performing localised coolers. This project aims to develop a lightweight, low-energy-consumption, and high-durability wearable thermoelectric cooler for localised cooling using a novel industry-led approach, coupled with device design and materials engineering strategies. The key breakthrough expected is to design wearable thermoelectric coolers by using flexible substrates and thermoelectric materials with engineered chemistry and unique structures for achieving ....Thermoelectric devices for high-performing localised coolers. This project aims to develop a lightweight, low-energy-consumption, and high-durability wearable thermoelectric cooler for localised cooling using a novel industry-led approach, coupled with device design and materials engineering strategies. The key breakthrough expected is to design wearable thermoelectric coolers by using flexible substrates and thermoelectric materials with engineered chemistry and unique structures for achieving localised, instant, and controllable cooling with super low power input for personal usage in building and mining industry. Expected outcomes include innovative technologies for achieving high-efficiency cooling, which will provide significant economic and commercial benefits for Australia.Read moreRead less
Surface Integrity Characterization of Sapphire Wafers for Wireless and Fibre Optic Semiconductor Industry. This project aims to uncover the mechanism of surface integrity in sapphire wafers and thus to establish its relationship with the quality processing of integrated circuits. The project will comprehensively consider surface damage, residual stresses, thermal shock and dislocation evolution as an organic whole to provide an effective solution to the problems in the current production practic ....Surface Integrity Characterization of Sapphire Wafers for Wireless and Fibre Optic Semiconductor Industry. This project aims to uncover the mechanism of surface integrity in sapphire wafers and thus to establish its relationship with the quality processing of integrated circuits. The project will comprehensively consider surface damage, residual stresses, thermal shock and dislocation evolution as an organic whole to provide an effective solution to the problems in the current production practice. Problems caused by unsatisfactory surface integrity represent a major outlay for the wireless and fibre optic semiconductor industry. The proposed research holds the very real possibility of reducing the capital cost and enhancing the quality of the integrated circuits of high capacity.Read moreRead less