Using lasers to prime the immune system. This project aims to detail the precise effects that lasers have on eye cells, cell populations and the body as a whole. Laser treatments for sight problems are increasing but the effects of these laser applications on the unique immune systems of the eye and brain are unknown. Previous work of the researchers has shown that a novel nanosecond laser when targeted to the eye can alter cells in the lasered eye and in the unlasered eye and the brain. This kn ....Using lasers to prime the immune system. This project aims to detail the precise effects that lasers have on eye cells, cell populations and the body as a whole. Laser treatments for sight problems are increasing but the effects of these laser applications on the unique immune systems of the eye and brain are unknown. Previous work of the researchers has shown that a novel nanosecond laser when targeted to the eye can alter cells in the lasered eye and in the unlasered eye and the brain. This knowledge may be crucial for enhancing our understanding of the immune privileged state of the eye. In addition, it seeks to guide the development of future low energy lasers as important successful treatments.Read moreRead less
Improving and manipulating the immune adjuvant properties of recombinant fowlpox vectors. Unbalanced immune responses may cause or worsen common and important diseases such as infections, allergies, cancers and autoimmunity. Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is the only immune active product or cytokine that safely skews an aberrant immune response to a healing type of response. Fowlpox viruses (FPV) provide safe and effective human vaccines. Engineering FPV to make both a relevant antigen and a cytokine is ....Improving and manipulating the immune adjuvant properties of recombinant fowlpox vectors. Unbalanced immune responses may cause or worsen common and important diseases such as infections, allergies, cancers and autoimmunity. Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is the only immune active product or cytokine that safely skews an aberrant immune response to a healing type of response. Fowlpox viruses (FPV) provide safe and effective human vaccines. Engineering FPV to make both a relevant antigen and a cytokine is proprietary technology. With our commercial partner and using experimental mice, we will test the concept that FPV making a model antigen and IL-4 initiate and/or maintain beneficial Type 2 responses. A successful outcome will guide clinical FPV-based vaccine development for the treatment of important human and veterinary diseases.Read moreRead less
Polysaccharide Synthase Genes in Agro-Industrial Applications. Achievement of the project aims will generate valuable intellectual property and meet National Research Priorities by: enhancing our knowledge base for the production of renewable bio-fuels from crop residues, for an environmentally sustainable Australia; developing preventative healthcare through adoption of healthier diets, rich in non-starchy cell wall polysaccharides that help reduce the incidence and severity of cardiovascular d ....Polysaccharide Synthase Genes in Agro-Industrial Applications. Achievement of the project aims will generate valuable intellectual property and meet National Research Priorities by: enhancing our knowledge base for the production of renewable bio-fuels from crop residues, for an environmentally sustainable Australia; developing preventative healthcare through adoption of healthier diets, rich in non-starchy cell wall polysaccharides that help reduce the incidence and severity of cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes and some cancers; and by developing breakthrough science in emerging agricultural technologies. The alliance will foster an intellectual environment to provide world-class basic research outcomes and training of highly skilled graduates, thereby contributing to the 'knowledge nation'.Read moreRead less
Regulation of Cellulose Biosynthesis in Commercially Important Cereal Crop Species. The long term strategic research alliance with DuPont Pioneer will lead to the development of breakthrough science in emerging technologies that are relevant: a) to agricultural production, b) to human health and c) to renewable bio-fuel production from crop residues. The alliance will attract significant international investment in Australian research and foster an intellectual environment for world-class resear ....Regulation of Cellulose Biosynthesis in Commercially Important Cereal Crop Species. The long term strategic research alliance with DuPont Pioneer will lead to the development of breakthrough science in emerging technologies that are relevant: a) to agricultural production, b) to human health and c) to renewable bio-fuel production from crop residues. The alliance will attract significant international investment in Australian research and foster an intellectual environment for world-class research training of postgraduate students and postdoctoral scientists, in both a higher education and an industry context.Read moreRead less
The mechanisms and roles of receptor clustering in cell activation and wound healing by growth factors. Growth factors regulate cell proliferation, migration and differentation by interaction with receptors. Such receptors are usually localized at the cell surface, and require intracellular transduction systems to transmit the signal to the cell interior. We have recently shown the hormone-induced clustering of heterologous hormone receptors in cells, and that this occurs with the co-clustering ....The mechanisms and roles of receptor clustering in cell activation and wound healing by growth factors. Growth factors regulate cell proliferation, migration and differentation by interaction with receptors. Such receptors are usually localized at the cell surface, and require intracellular transduction systems to transmit the signal to the cell interior. We have recently shown the hormone-induced clustering of heterologous hormone receptors in cells, and that this occurs with the co-clustering of downstream signalling molecules at sites of engagement with the extracellular matrix. In addition, we have found that cells presented with an extracellular matrix respond better to subsequent growth factor stimulation. The project aims to determine the cellular mechanisms underlying receptor clustering and the basis of the receptor-extracellular matrix interaction. This will enhance our understanding of growth factor function in a number of conditions, including wound healing. We will extend our in vitro results to the animal model to define parameters for enhanced wound repair.Read moreRead less