Milk protein profiling powered by multiplexed single molecule assay. This project aims to develop a novel device, comprising advanced single molecule imaging, microfluidics and immunoassay technologies, for quantification of milk protein variants. Milk quality is central to dairying and variants of proteins in milk affect its market value. No current milk protein detection technologies are readily applied in milk production quality control. This project aims to produce a device that can be used ....Milk protein profiling powered by multiplexed single molecule assay. This project aims to develop a novel device, comprising advanced single molecule imaging, microfluidics and immunoassay technologies, for quantification of milk protein variants. Milk quality is central to dairying and variants of proteins in milk affect its market value. No current milk protein detection technologies are readily applied in milk production quality control. This project aims to produce a device that can be used by milk producers and farms to profile protein variants with high sensitivity in a single test in an hour and screen unwanted protein contamination. The platform also has great potential for detecting other complex and low content analytes. It builds on innovations in nanoparticles and recent industry collaboration.Read moreRead less
Solving the problem of detecting small molecules in complex samples: A Label-Free Electrochemical Immuno-biosensor for drugs and pesticides. Biosensors are portable analytical devices which can be used by the general public without specialist training. The proposed research will develop a biosensor for the detection of small molecules such as pesticides, poisons and drugs; a class of analytes where there is currently no viable biosensor technology. The simple to use device will benefit the Aus ....Solving the problem of detecting small molecules in complex samples: A Label-Free Electrochemical Immuno-biosensor for drugs and pesticides. Biosensors are portable analytical devices which can be used by the general public without specialist training. The proposed research will develop a biosensor for the detection of small molecules such as pesticides, poisons and drugs; a class of analytes where there is currently no viable biosensor technology. The simple to use device will benefit the Australian community by providing technology which will allow rapid and inexpensive monitoring of water as well as biomedical diagnosis. The research will also benefit Australia via providing the training of scientists to establish the new generation of Australia's bionanotechnology industry. Read moreRead less
Synthesis and analysis of equine anabolic steroid metabolites. The Australian Racing Industry has an annual turnover of over $11,000M and is Australia's highest employing industry. Its credibility is dependent upon the enforcement of regulations relating to illicit substances. The aim of the project is to devise testing procedures for illicit drugs in the equine. To achieve this a variety of hydroxylated anabolic steroid equine metabolites are to be synthesised as reference standards and for ....Synthesis and analysis of equine anabolic steroid metabolites. The Australian Racing Industry has an annual turnover of over $11,000M and is Australia's highest employing industry. Its credibility is dependent upon the enforcement of regulations relating to illicit substances. The aim of the project is to devise testing procedures for illicit drugs in the equine. To achieve this a variety of hydroxylated anabolic steroid equine metabolites are to be synthesised as reference standards and for studies on analytical procedures. These analytical studies will involve production of antibodies, and of the appropriate testing procedures.Read moreRead less
Proteomic approaches for the detection of administered peptide hormones, growth factors and related substances in the horse. This project will develop innovative techniques for the detection of new protein doping agents potentially used within the Australian horse racing industry.
Assessing Effects of Petroleum Oil Pollution on Estuarine Rock Platform Invertebrate Communities. The effects of oil spills on our native intertidal organisms are virtually unknown. For some years before and since a major oil spill in Sydney, 1999, we have conducted impact and recovery studies on rock platform species assemblages of Port Jackson. Results show impacts at both community and individual species levels. This project aims to answer important questions arising from this work and wou ....Assessing Effects of Petroleum Oil Pollution on Estuarine Rock Platform Invertebrate Communities. The effects of oil spills on our native intertidal organisms are virtually unknown. For some years before and since a major oil spill in Sydney, 1999, we have conducted impact and recovery studies on rock platform species assemblages of Port Jackson. Results show impacts at both community and individual species levels. This project aims to answer important questions arising from this work and would allow: (1) to establish a cause and effect relationship between oil exposure and Australian invertebrate species responses(2) generate quantitative chronic and acute oil impact data on invertebrate species at a range of oil exposures and best practice amelioration, (3) generation of the first toxicological data of the impact of oil pollutants on Australian estuarine invertebrates, (4)investigation of possible early-warning biomarkers of oil exposure, and (5) rapid assessment monitoring procedures for future environmental management of our estuarine systems.Read moreRead less
Strategies for the detection of designer steroids in racehorses. The Australian racing industry drives economic activity and contributes $1 billion to GDP, $151 million Government revenue and 50,000 jobs in NSW. Racing depends on maintaining the highest standards of integrity. This project will make Australia a world leader by developing robust methods to detect designer steroids in thoroughbred racing.
Bioinks for the 3D printing of cells made from off-the-shelf components. This project aims to develop a simple method for creating complex, multiple-cell-type three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures for in-vitro cell based assays. Using 3D printing technology, this project will develop a versatile polymer system, made from entirely commercially available components, that gels upon printing and has functionality to assist cells in adhering, growing and migrating. The 3D printing of multiple cell typ ....Bioinks for the 3D printing of cells made from off-the-shelf components. This project aims to develop a simple method for creating complex, multiple-cell-type three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures for in-vitro cell based assays. Using 3D printing technology, this project will develop a versatile polymer system, made from entirely commercially available components, that gels upon printing and has functionality to assist cells in adhering, growing and migrating. The 3D printing of multiple cell types will provide biological scientists with more realistic in-vitro cell assays to those found in-vivo. Applications of the research are in cell biology, studying diseases and developing new drugs.Read moreRead less
Targeting conjugated markers with new metabolomic methods. Detecting the illicit use of natural steroids like testosterone, or compounds that modulate natural steroid levels, remains the greatest challenge for drug testing in all forms of sport. This project aims to develop new metabolomic methods based on liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry to detect the changes occurring in the conjugated steroid profile following the administration of steroids or steroid modulators. The in ....Targeting conjugated markers with new metabolomic methods. Detecting the illicit use of natural steroids like testosterone, or compounds that modulate natural steroid levels, remains the greatest challenge for drug testing in all forms of sport. This project aims to develop new metabolomic methods based on liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry to detect the changes occurring in the conjugated steroid profile following the administration of steroids or steroid modulators. The intended outcome will be a set of sensitive and analytical methods using a range of newly identified conjugated steroid markers and associated reference materials, which promises to enhance integrity and animal welfare in the thoroughbred racing industry.
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From economic benefit to social cost: Antecedents of irresponsible gambling. The social impact of gambling is a challenge for policy-makers. Australia's gambling expenditure in 2001 contributed $4.4 billion in tax revenue. This economic benefit however, is offset by significant social costs ($1.8 to $5.6 billion). We will identify when and how distorted memory for previous gambling outcomes and gaming machine accessibility can cause irresponsible gambling. The results can be used to make informe ....From economic benefit to social cost: Antecedents of irresponsible gambling. The social impact of gambling is a challenge for policy-makers. Australia's gambling expenditure in 2001 contributed $4.4 billion in tax revenue. This economic benefit however, is offset by significant social costs ($1.8 to $5.6 billion). We will identify when and how distorted memory for previous gambling outcomes and gaming machine accessibility can cause irresponsible gambling. The results can be used to make informed assessments of the social impact of increasing the accessibility of gambling opportunities on local communities. The results can also be used to understand how gambling that contributes to the economy of a community becomes a social cost.Read moreRead less
Executive functioning, gender, age and medication as predictors of developmental well-being among students with ADHD. This study constructs social-cognitive phenotypes of ADHD, evaluates mental health and investigates ADHD student perceptions of classroom environment and achievement in science as functions of executive functioning, gender, age and medication. The effect of standard psychostimulant intervention and a novel nonpsychostimulant option on executive function, developmental and educati ....Executive functioning, gender, age and medication as predictors of developmental well-being among students with ADHD. This study constructs social-cognitive phenotypes of ADHD, evaluates mental health and investigates ADHD student perceptions of classroom environment and achievement in science as functions of executive functioning, gender, age and medication. The effect of standard psychostimulant intervention and a novel nonpsychostimulant option on executive function, developmental and educational outcomes will be investigated. The expected outcomes will inform more effective teacher professional development, and reduce school problems associated with psychostimulant medication and its illicit distribution by students. The linkage of health and education partners meets a nationally identified need for more effective collaboration to improve education outcomes for ADHD students.Read moreRead less