If stem cell transplantation is to be useful to repair brain injury, advancement must be made to improve the delivery, survival and differentiation of transplanted cells so that they can sufficiently integrate into the host brain. Here, self-assembling peptides will be developed to provide physical and biochemical support for stem cells and neurones in cell culture (which may be useful for drug discovery) and following transplantation into the injured brain.
Multimodal Woven BioPolymer Fibre Conduits For Remodelling Damaged Peripheral Nerve
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$686,901.00
Summary
Damage to peripheral nerve arises as a result of trauma or disease ranging in severity from mild to severe incapacitation. Currently surgeons remove healthy nerve from individuals with nerve damage to repair more important priority nerves. We aim to create an effective implant for nerve repair that totally degrades leaving behind the regenerated nerve. This will eliminate the need for nerve harvesting as well as restoring lost nerve function in individuals with nerve injury.
Enhanced And Highly Specific Delivery Of Small Interfering RNA And Oligonucleotides As Therapeutics For Gene Silencing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$311,860.00
Summary
This proposal aims to develop glyco-nanocarriers for the efficient and specific delivery of siRNA/oligonucleotides to treat liver diseases. Complex glycopolymer architectures developed here will protect desired genes from enzymatic degradation and will deliver the gene to the liver specifically for therapy, hence providing a solution towards nucleic acid therapy.