Multi-faceted E-health Interventions For Primary Health Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$359,564.00
Summary
There are large evidence practice gaps in primary health care leading to sub-optimal health outcomes. To address these gaps, I have devised HealthTracker, an e-health system for chronic disease management. I will evaluate the effectiveness of HealthTracker and develop three new system features: (1) a consumer focussed web portal, (2) three new chronic care modules for respiratory health, osteoporosis and fracture prevention, low back pain, and (3) implementation of the system in rural India.
Cellular And Molecular Determinants That Regulate Osteoblasts At The Endosteal Niche During HSC Mobilisation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$178,523.00
Summary
Treatments for leukaemia (e.g. chemotherapy) severely deplete immune and blood cells from patients. Transplantation of new blood forming cells (blood stem cells) into these patients is essential, but challenges are faced with isolating sufficient numbers in ways that preserve their ability to reconstitute the blood post transplant. My research aims to advance understanding of current methods used to isolate these cells and ultimately to improve the success of blood stem cell transplantation.
Novel Strategy For The Treatment Of Large Bone Defects Using A Unique Biomaterial With Tailored Microstructure
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,644.00
Summary
There is a rapidly increasing and pressing medical need for the development of synthetic implants that can regenerate large amounts of lost or diseased bone. This project will produce a unique implant with optimal mechanical and biological performance, which represents a viable alternative to bone grafting with broad applications for the repair of large or challenging bone defects. Such an achievement will produce significant healthcare benefits and improved long-term outcomes.
Design Of Cas9 Nucleases With Reduced Basal DNA Binding And Enhanced Recombinase Activity For Human Genome Engineering
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$385,761.00
Summary
Cas9 has recently emerged as a transformative tool for genome engineering. The enzyme is guided by a short RNA to pair with a DNA sequence of interest and to introduce a break. This DNA break becomes a substrate for repair pathways: Non-Homologous End-Joining or Homologous Recombination. The rate of HR is typically lower, limiting the efficiency of insertion of new DNA. The project aims to determine these reasons for limited rates of HR, and to improve these rates through protein engineering.
Engineered Spiky Silica Nanoparticles As Effective Immune Adjuvants By Activating Inflammasome And Enhancing Cellular Uptake
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Vaccination is a triumph of preventative healthcare in Australia and worldwide. Despite substantial advances in vaccine development, some of the most lethal diseases still lack effective vaccines. This project aims to generate a novel immune adjuvant with excellent safety to promote antigen immunity by rationally designing surface structure of nanomaterials. Successful completing of this project has great potential to bring new, safe and potent vaccines for some infectious disease and cancer.
Functional Nano-cement Scaffolds For The Treatment Of Osteoporotic Bone Defects
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,768.00
Summary
Osteoporosis affects 1.2 million Australians and will cost $33.6 billion by 2022. This study aims to develop a novel nano-cement platform for custom-designed bone repair in osteoporosis, by using purpose-designed nanomaterials and advanced 3D printing technique. The research findings will lead to the development of a new bone repair strategy, expand knowledge on both biomaterials engineering and osteoporosis treatment, and improve the quality of life of Australians.
Development Of Gene-activated Scaffolds As Bone Bioreactor For Bone Regeneration And Osteointegration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$215,100.00
Summary
The worldwide market for bone substitutes has been estimated at over US $1 billion annually. The emerging technology of cell based therapy has opened a new window for the treatment of bone defects. This project is to develop gene-activated scaffolds able to induce blood vessel formation thus improving the local nutrition supply, and subsequently stimulating bone formation in bone defects, as well as osteointegration around implant surface. The knowledge generated from this project will help the ....The worldwide market for bone substitutes has been estimated at over US $1 billion annually. The emerging technology of cell based therapy has opened a new window for the treatment of bone defects. This project is to develop gene-activated scaffolds able to induce blood vessel formation thus improving the local nutrition supply, and subsequently stimulating bone formation in bone defects, as well as osteointegration around implant surface. The knowledge generated from this project will help the treatment of a number of orthopaedic and dental conditions.Read moreRead less