Venoms To Drugs: Characterizing The Molecular Interactions Between Venom Peptides And Ion Channels With A View To Rational Drug Design
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$316,449.00
Summary
The conventional approach to drug development is reaching a state of crisis as it is producing fewer new drugs at increasing cost. A promising alternative is to harness the rich and diverse chemistry of venom peptides. This project aims to understand the mechanism by which venom peptides achieve their pharmacological activity. This knowledge is essential for venom-based drug design for treating diseases ranging from nervous systems disorders, stroke, chronic pain and psychiatric illnesses.
Improving the function of GABA-A receptors is a key property of several classes of clinically important drugs including benzodiazepines and many anticonvulsants. However, the binding sites and molecular mechanisms of these drugs remain poorly understood. Using compounds similar to those in green tea, we will determine the molecular mechanism of these drugs. This understanding will lead to the development of better drugs for treatment of anxiety, depression, epilepsy, insomnia & schizophrenia.
Developing Species-specific, Structure-targeting Peptides As A Novel Class Of Antibiotics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$607,967.00
Summary
Multidrug, antibiotic resistance is a serious global threat. It is a real possibility that in the absence of new antibiotics, common infections could soon become untreatable. This project will develop a novel class of antibiotics that target the core structures of essential bacterial proteins. The successful outcome of this work will also aid the development of specific peptide-based inhibitors for numerous additional diseases, including viral and fungal infections and cancer.
Predictive Models To Design And Develop New Antibiotics Derived From The Community For Open Antimicrobial Drug Discovery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$977,427.00
Summary
With the rise of infections from multidrug-resistant bacteria, and limited antibiotics in the development pipeline, new strategies are required to generate novel antibiotics. This project will apply artificial intelligence methods to study a unique dataset generated over five years with the help of over 300 academic groups around the world. It will produce predictive models that will then be applied to design new antibiotics, which will be synthesized and tested for antimicrobial activity.
Dengue Fever Vaccine: Towards Low Cost Production And Delivery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$612,039.00
Summary
With rising populations and a warming climate mosquito borne viral diseases will become more prevalent and low-cost vaccine production & delivery systems will become increasingly important. Here a microalgae based vaccine production platform will be coupled to proven Nanopatch & low cost oral vaccine delivery. The focus is on a Dengue virus vaccine, as Dengue causes 400 million infections & 100 million symptomatic cases annually.
Repurposing Amiloride Into Breast Cancer Drugs With A Dual-Targeting Mechanism
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$611,966.00
Summary
This project aims to transform a diuretic drug (amiloride) into a breast cancer drug that acts via a novel molecular mechanism. The science of medicinal chemistry will be used to remove amiloride's diuretic effects whilst gaining potent dual-activity against two breast cancer targets, uPA and NHE1. Our study will validate a new pharmacological approach in cancer treatment and produce patented drugs suitable for development into first-in-class breast cancer drugs.