The Neurovascular Territories Of The Human Body: Anatomic Study And Clinical Applications
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$186,650.00
Summary
A Melways Roadmap of the anatomy of the large and small nerves, arteries and veins of the human body is underway and will take a further three years to complete. The aim is to evolve or modify Reconstructive Plastic Surgery techniques taking tissue from a hidden site and, where possible, include a nerve supply with the transplant so that feeling can be restored to skin flaps and function to transferred muscle. The fundamental objective is to improve the quality of the patients life. We have alre ....A Melways Roadmap of the anatomy of the large and small nerves, arteries and veins of the human body is underway and will take a further three years to complete. The aim is to evolve or modify Reconstructive Plastic Surgery techniques taking tissue from a hidden site and, where possible, include a nerve supply with the transplant so that feeling can be restored to skin flaps and function to transferred muscle. The fundamental objective is to improve the quality of the patients life. We have already completed a thorough examination of the following regions: (i) head and neck (ii) forearm (iii) leg These have received international acclaim and awards. We are currently examining: (i) hand and foot (ii) thigh and buttock. Still to be commenced: (i) arm and shoulder (ii) torso (iii) back. Reconstructive surgery involves the treatment and the reconstruction of defects throughout the whole human body. These defects may arise in any member of the family. With modern reconstructive techniques a problem can often be solved in one operation thus avoiding multiple operations and long periods of hospitalisation which can be devastating to both patient and family. These new techniques nevertheless have demanded a reappraisal of the basic sciences, especially the anatomy of the blood and nerve supply to the potential transplant. This is essential so that they can be designed with not only precision and safety but in such a way that there is minimal disability at the donor site. As well as restoring shape and form, the patient can have tremendous improvement in quality of life and independence if function is also restored. In order to provide function (feeling and movement) a working nerve supply must be included in the reconstruction. Therefore our research must continue to investigate the complex patterns of nerve supply to tissues of the body and correlate this information with the blood supply which is needed to keep the tissue alive.Read moreRead less
Bismuth Compounds And Materials As Antibacterial Agents
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$476,535.00
Summary
Antimicrobial resistance has been identified by the World Health Organisation as one of the greatest threats we face globally. The amount of effective antibacterial agents is rapidly diminishing. The threat of antimicrobial resistance is greatest in hospitals and health-care facilities. Our project aims to produce a new range of bismuth based antibacterial materials, which will be used in devices, coatings and surfaces in the clinic, to combat the rise of infections caused by resistant bacteria.
Choir Participation To Improve Wellbeing And Relationship Quality For Community-dwelling People With Dementia And Their Primary Care-givers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$569,698.00
Summary
An estimated 300,000 Australians live with dementia and this figure is projected to triple by 2050. Aligning with government priorities to support primary caregivers to care for loved ones at home, this project investigates the effect of choir participation and familiar music for people with dementia and their caregivers. We expect to find evidence that active music participation enhances wellbeing, quality of life, and relationship quality for people with dementia and their caregivers.
Malaria is a major global health problem. The protein AMA1 plays a key role in the invasion of host cells by malaria parasites, and agents that inhibit this interaction prevent host cell invasion and thus represent leads for the development of anti-malarial drugs. We have identified a number of chemical scaffolds that target a key site on AMA1. In this project we will optimize these leads to generate potent ligands for this site and evaluate the efficacy of these ligands as anti-malarial agents.
The Awakening:GABA-A Receptors As Targets For Improving Motor Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$735,498.00
Summary
Zolpidem (Stilnox) is a “sleeping pill” that is reported "awaken" people with severe motor, memory and speech disabilities that result from stroke or other brain injury. We have identified a novel target by which zolpidem can exert these effects. This project will characterise this target and assess drug effects in models of stroke.
Towards The Rational Design Of Calcium Sensing Receptor Allosteric Modulators For The Treatment Of Osteoporosis And Calcium Handling Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$741,390.00
Summary
Drugs that target the human calcium sensing receptor can be too strong or too weak, resulting in side effects or lack of efficacy. This proposal thus seeks to establish whether the strength of drug activity can be rationally altered and exploited to treat different disease states by fine-tuning CaSR activity in a disease-specific manner.