Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE200100029
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$700,000.00
Summary
High Resolution PET-CT for Small Animal Molecular and Anatomical Imaging. This project will integrate a next generation small animal PET-CT instrument into the Sydney Imaging multi-modality imaging ecosystem. PET-CT enables the investigation of molecular function and anatomical structure in complex living organisms. This platform will enable research as diverse as the development and in-vivo characterisation of new chemical probes and nanoparticles that bind to specific protein targets in the bo ....High Resolution PET-CT for Small Animal Molecular and Anatomical Imaging. This project will integrate a next generation small animal PET-CT instrument into the Sydney Imaging multi-modality imaging ecosystem. PET-CT enables the investigation of molecular function and anatomical structure in complex living organisms. This platform will enable research as diverse as the development and in-vivo characterisation of new chemical probes and nanoparticles that bind to specific protein targets in the body, investigating mechanisms of brain plasticity in predictive learning, understanding the molecular pathways involved in neurodegeneration and cancer, developing novel methods for multi-modal image analysis, and developing and validating new radiation detectors for the next generation of imaging technology.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR1101002
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$21,000,000.00
Summary
Stem Cells Australia. Despite progress in stem cell research, scientists do not understand how stem cells “decide” what to become. Stem Cells Australia will draw upon strengths within Australia’s premier stem cell research universities and institutes. This collaboration between leading bioengineering, nanotechnology, stem cell and advanced molecular analysis experts, will fast-track efforts to deliver a fundamental understanding of the mechanisms of stem cell regulation and differentiation, and ....Stem Cells Australia. Despite progress in stem cell research, scientists do not understand how stem cells “decide” what to become. Stem Cells Australia will draw upon strengths within Australia’s premier stem cell research universities and institutes. This collaboration between leading bioengineering, nanotechnology, stem cell and advanced molecular analysis experts, will fast-track efforts to deliver a fundamental understanding of the mechanisms of stem cell regulation and differentiation, and the ability to control and influence this process. Stem Cells Australia will deliver new methods for stem cell propagation and manipulation, new translational technologies for therapeutic applications, and will prepare Australia’s future stem cell scientific leaders.Read moreRead less
Microparticles as effectors of microvascular alterations in brain inflammation. Cerebral malaria (CM) kills many children worldwide, but we do not understand why their small blood vessels in the brain become obstructed. We found that tiny elements detached from cell membranes, called microparticles (MP), are dramatically elevated in the blood during CM. Our results strongly suggest that these MP are important in CM development. We have found that some drugs block the release of MP and the stick ....Microparticles as effectors of microvascular alterations in brain inflammation. Cerebral malaria (CM) kills many children worldwide, but we do not understand why their small blood vessels in the brain become obstructed. We found that tiny elements detached from cell membranes, called microparticles (MP), are dramatically elevated in the blood during CM. Our results strongly suggest that these MP are important in CM development. We have found that some drugs block the release of MP and the stickiness of malaria parasites to blood vessels. Our project will tackle the conditions of MP production and define new drugs to prevent it. It also will explain how the brain becomes affected by high numbers of MP. Our results will cast new light on why the brain functions abnormally when its blood vessels become modified.Read moreRead less
Molecular response to interferon beta treatment in multiple sclerosis. Inteferon beta (IFNb) is the frontline drug for treatment of multiple sclerosis. However, in many patients this expensive drug provides no benefit, resulting in unnecessary, uncontrolled disease progression, and in a waste of many millions of dollars each year. A common explanation for this treatment failure is the development of neutralising antibodies (NABs). We will establish the prevalence and effects of NABs in Austra ....Molecular response to interferon beta treatment in multiple sclerosis. Inteferon beta (IFNb) is the frontline drug for treatment of multiple sclerosis. However, in many patients this expensive drug provides no benefit, resulting in unnecessary, uncontrolled disease progression, and in a waste of many millions of dollars each year. A common explanation for this treatment failure is the development of neutralising antibodies (NABs). We will establish the prevalence and effects of NABs in Australian patients, use novel techniques to identify biomarkers for IFNb response, evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic value of the biomarkers, and develop a new test for NABs. Tailored use of this drug, and possible new therapeutic targets, will result, benefiting the patient and community.Read moreRead less
Systemic regulation of neuronal circuits in cognition and behaviour. This project aims to understand systemic regulation of behaviour and cognition in the central nervous system (CNS). The adrenal gland (AG) is an endocrine organ that regulates behaviour and cognition, but the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulatory axis between the CNS and AG are poorly understood. The AG selectively and highly expresses p38, a member of the MAP kinase family, while mice that lack p38 suffer memory and b ....Systemic regulation of neuronal circuits in cognition and behaviour. This project aims to understand systemic regulation of behaviour and cognition in the central nervous system (CNS). The adrenal gland (AG) is an endocrine organ that regulates behaviour and cognition, but the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulatory axis between the CNS and AG are poorly understood. The AG selectively and highly expresses p38, a member of the MAP kinase family, while mice that lack p38 suffer memory and behavioural deficits. This project will study p38’s role in systemic CNS function. It aims to understand brain function and systemic regulation of cognition and behaviour, thereby contributing to a deeper understanding of brain function and paving the way for new preventive treatments and medical care strategies.Read moreRead less
New Imaging Agents for Neuronal Nicotinic Receptors. Recent advances in medical imaging technology such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) have radically improved the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of diseases. The aim of this project is to discover novel radio-ligands that selectively bind to neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. These ligands will have great potential for the imaging, diagnosis and study of neurodegenerat ....New Imaging Agents for Neuronal Nicotinic Receptors. Recent advances in medical imaging technology such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) have radically improved the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of diseases. The aim of this project is to discover novel radio-ligands that selectively bind to neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. These ligands will have great potential for the imaging, diagnosis and study of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Read moreRead less
Mechanisms of memory function involving site-specific tau phosphorylation. This project aims to understand the molecular principles that facilitate encoding, maintenance and retrieval of memories in the brain. To store memories in brain circuits, electrical and chemical signals are crucial. Brain cells can integrate signals into biochemical modifications of intracellular proteins. The nature of the protein modifications that represent memory within brain cells is unknown. This project uses innov ....Mechanisms of memory function involving site-specific tau phosphorylation. This project aims to understand the molecular principles that facilitate encoding, maintenance and retrieval of memories in the brain. To store memories in brain circuits, electrical and chemical signals are crucial. Brain cells can integrate signals into biochemical modifications of intracellular proteins. The nature of the protein modifications that represent memory within brain cells is unknown. This project uses innovative genome editing, mathematical modelling and proteomic approaches, to study how biochemical modifications of a key protein called tau help encode and retrieve memories. These molecular insights will make a significant advance in the current understanding of a brain function that is essential to all human activities.Read moreRead less
Non-invasive measurement of intracranial pressure by means of transcranial doppler blood flow and central aortic pressure. The investigation will produce a device that will aid doctors measuring brain pressure without drilling holes through the skull. The device will use the technology of an Australian company that has the only patented system to deduce the pressure in the brain by measuring pressure close to the heart and the brain and by recording the pressure pulse wave at the wrist. The comm ....Non-invasive measurement of intracranial pressure by means of transcranial doppler blood flow and central aortic pressure. The investigation will produce a device that will aid doctors measuring brain pressure without drilling holes through the skull. The device will use the technology of an Australian company that has the only patented system to deduce the pressure in the brain by measuring pressure close to the heart and the brain and by recording the pressure pulse wave at the wrist. The community benefit will be in terms of the safety and ease with which changes in pressure in the brain can be detected. It will also advance the world renowned Australian technology in a new area of application.Read moreRead less
Unraveling the role of N-acetyl-aspartate in normal brain function and disease. The purpose of this project is to define the role of the predominating brain chemical N-acetyl-aspartate for normal nerve cell function and as toxic agent causing neurological illness and severe mental health problems. Findings of this research will enhance the design of novel therapies involving pharmacological and genetic treatment.
Imaging the human cerebellum during motor learning and timing. The cerebellum has long fascinated scientists for its remarkable anatomy and physiology and the critical role that it plays in motor function, and more recently for its more general functions of cognition and emotion. Developments in non-invasive imaging of cerebellar activity have opened up exiting new opportunities to probe its wider functioning. We aim to further develop these new methods in order to facilitate their availability ....Imaging the human cerebellum during motor learning and timing. The cerebellum has long fascinated scientists for its remarkable anatomy and physiology and the critical role that it plays in motor function, and more recently for its more general functions of cognition and emotion. Developments in non-invasive imaging of cerebellar activity have opened up exiting new opportunities to probe its wider functioning. We aim to further develop these new methods in order to facilitate their availability to the wider research community, and to demonstrate their utility by application to the role of the cerebellum in learning and timing. The outcomes of this work will be of considerable benefit to a wide range of scientists and clinicians who will be able to make use of the new methods for their own research.Read moreRead less