Characterisation Of Two Novel Markers Of Osteosarcoma Metastasis As Potential Therapeutic Targets
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$624,500.00
Summary
Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common bone tumour in children and adolescents. In spite of aggressive chemotherapy, OS tumours that metastasise to the lungs result in dismal long-term survivals of only 10-20%. For these patients, new treatment options are desperately needed. In this proposal we show compelling data identifying two new markers of OS metastasis. This research aims to validate the suitability of these novel markers as therapeutic targets to prevent OS metastasis.
Ethics And Equity: Developing Ethical Guidance For Health Policy And Systems Research In Developing Countries
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$374,706.00
Summary
Health policy and systems research (HPSR) in developing countries is vital to achieving the Millennium Development goals, but ethical guidance specific to this field has not been developed. This project will identify the ethical obligations of funders, research institutions, and researchers undertaking HPSR in developing countries and will describe strategies for how these obligations might be upheld in practice.
A Study To Investigate Alternative Regimens For Pneumococcal Vaccination Of Infants In A Developing Country
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,622,210.00
Summary
Streptococcus pneumoniae (Pnc) is the leading vaccine preventable cause of serious infection in infants. The current Pnc conjugate vaccine is very expensive (approximately USD $200-infant) so it is unlikely to be affordable for most developing countries. Moreover, as health care access in developing countries may be episodic and unreliable, many children do not receive either complete or timely vaccine courses. Therefore, it is important to investigate affordable and flexible ways to deliver thi ....Streptococcus pneumoniae (Pnc) is the leading vaccine preventable cause of serious infection in infants. The current Pnc conjugate vaccine is very expensive (approximately USD $200-infant) so it is unlikely to be affordable for most developing countries. Moreover, as health care access in developing countries may be episodic and unreliable, many children do not receive either complete or timely vaccine courses. Therefore, it is important to investigate affordable and flexible ways to deliver this vaccine, which are safe and effective. A recent WHO-GAVI meeting to address impediments to the introduction of these vaccines in developing countries recognized the need to evaluate other regimens of Pnc conjugate vaccine as an important research priority. This study has been deliberately formulated with that need in mind. The site for this research is Fiji. Although health services are good, Pnc disease, particularly pneumonia, remains the commonest cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. Fiji has good vaccine coverage and was the first Pacific country to introduce Hib vaccine. The arrival of the new, expensive Pnc conjugate vaccine presents a dilemma for Fiji and many similar countries. The expense of this vaccine would consume a large portion of the health budget. This study has two components: 1. A Phase 2 immunogenicity study (involving 750 infants) to evaluate regimens using reduced numbers of doses of Pnc conjugate vaccine, and using timing of dosing and combinations with the Pnc polysaccharide (PS) vaccine that may be more suited to the epidemiology of Pnc disease in developing countries. 2. An epidemiological study will measure the burden of invasive Pnc disease and pneumonia in Fiji. This will be part of a global effort to address these issues, and will be used to develop rapid assessment tools for these diseases in developing countries. We will seek cofounding for this component.Read moreRead less
The Claustrum Enigma: Unlocking The Role Of The Last Unknown Area Of The Primate Brain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$558,364.00
Summary
Despite nearly 200 years of study, the function of the claustrum remains unclear. Interest in this brain structure has recently been revived by findings showing damage to the claustrum in several major diseases, and by the suggestion that the claustrum may have a role in consciousness. Here we propose a series of experiments to test the novel hypothesis that the claustrum is part of the default mode network, a group of brain areas that act together when we aren't thinking about anything in parti ....Despite nearly 200 years of study, the function of the claustrum remains unclear. Interest in this brain structure has recently been revived by findings showing damage to the claustrum in several major diseases, and by the suggestion that the claustrum may have a role in consciousness. Here we propose a series of experiments to test the novel hypothesis that the claustrum is part of the default mode network, a group of brain areas that act together when we aren't thinking about anything in particular, that is- most of the time.Read moreRead less
Dynamics of eigenvalue/eigenspace algorithms with applications to signal processing. Many problems in signal and systems lead naturally to an eigenvalue/eigenspace determination and tracking problem; for example (acoustic) echo-cancellation, crosstalk suppression in ADSL modems, direction of arrival determination with an array of sensors, linear system identification etc. Exploiting methods from global analysis and dynamical systems theory we will study the available algorithms for eigenspace de ....Dynamics of eigenvalue/eigenspace algorithms with applications to signal processing. Many problems in signal and systems lead naturally to an eigenvalue/eigenspace determination and tracking problem; for example (acoustic) echo-cancellation, crosstalk suppression in ADSL modems, direction of arrival determination with an array of sensors, linear system identification etc. Exploiting methods from global analysis and dynamical systems theory we will study the available algorithms for eigenspace determination to characterise their computational efficiency, accuracy and effectiveness in various data scenarios. The analysis will lead to improved designs for eigenvalue/eigenspace algorithms, as well as design tools to engineer algorithms to specific situations.Read moreRead less
Thalamocortical Neural Circuits In Higher Order Cognitive And Sensory Processing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$370,860.00
Summary
Schizophrenia, depression and dementia are devastating disorders with problems in thinking and sensory perception, but the neural circuits causing these symptoms are not known. I will use new optical and genetic tools in mice to identify the cortical and subcortical circuits required for complex touchscreen tasks, the same tasks to assess patients. Identification of neural circuits that underlie clinical symptoms will increase our understanding of these disorders and improve treatments.
The Time-Varying Eigenvalue Problem with Application to Signal Processing and Control. Linear models are ubiquitous in representing physical processes. Decomposing a linear model into its fundamental components is known as the eigenvalue problem. In applications as wide ranging as astronomy, aircraft control systems, Internet search engines and communication systems, it is necessary to perform this decomposition of a pertinent time varying linear model on the fly. This project aims to develop si ....The Time-Varying Eigenvalue Problem with Application to Signal Processing and Control. Linear models are ubiquitous in representing physical processes. Decomposing a linear model into its fundamental components is known as the eigenvalue problem. In applications as wide ranging as astronomy, aircraft control systems, Internet search engines and communication systems, it is necessary to perform this decomposition of a pertinent time varying linear model on the fly. This project aims to develop significantly faster and more accurate algorithms for this time varying eigenvalue problem than currently exist. Very modern techniques will be employed to achieve this aim, and the potential benefits to Australian hi-tech industries are great.
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Stochastic modelling of genetic regulatory networks with burst process. This project will develop the next generation of stochastic modelling to study the fundamental principles of genetic regulation. Simulations will yield deeper insight into the origin of bistability and oscillation in gene networks.
Experimental runtime complexity analysis of logic programs. While declarative languages improve programmer productivity, they make it harder for programmers to understand the performance of their code. We will build a tool that will use profiling data and program analysis to allow programmers to predict the running time of their programs.
Quantum decoherence: A game-theoretic perspective. Algorithms based on quantum computation have the ability to significantly speed up information processing compared to standard computers. The increase in computational power can have enormous impact on humankind and this project will help maintain Australia's position in the global forefront of this effort.This project focuses on the thoeretical foundations of quantum computation and complements the efforts of several groups in Australia collabo ....Quantum decoherence: A game-theoretic perspective. Algorithms based on quantum computation have the ability to significantly speed up information processing compared to standard computers. The increase in computational power can have enormous impact on humankind and this project will help maintain Australia's position in the global forefront of this effort.This project focuses on the thoeretical foundations of quantum computation and complements the efforts of several groups in Australia collaborating on the experimental design of quantum computers. The project will increase the fundamental understanding of how quantum information is processed in the presence of noise, which is necessary for the successful operation of quantum computers. Read moreRead less