High-load powder dispersion and aerosol delivery: an integrated approach. This project aims to develop a novel design toolbox that can accurately predict dispersion performance of a range of powder systems for high-dose inhaler devices. The project expects to provide the pharmaceutical industry with a cornerstone technology to facilitate the design and optimisation of new powder delivery devices. Outcomes are expected to include new knowledge on powder dispersion behaviour that can be applied to ....High-load powder dispersion and aerosol delivery: an integrated approach. This project aims to develop a novel design toolbox that can accurately predict dispersion performance of a range of powder systems for high-dose inhaler devices. The project expects to provide the pharmaceutical industry with a cornerstone technology to facilitate the design and optimisation of new powder delivery devices. Outcomes are expected to include new knowledge on powder dispersion behaviour that can be applied to various industry sectors, including the environmental, bulk chemical and food industries where the majority of products are in powder form. This knowledge will provide significant benefits to industry through provision of a toolkit that can be used to improve final powder-based product quality.Read moreRead less
A novel approach for the real-time measurement of aerosol surface area. This project aims to develop an innovative optical tomography technology capable of direct and real-time measurement of the surface area of airborne particles. By coupling advanced laser diagnostic tools with physiological models and in vitro characterisation techniques, this project will determine the hitherto unknown fundamental and critical relationships between the surface area of an aerosol and its dissolution when deli ....A novel approach for the real-time measurement of aerosol surface area. This project aims to develop an innovative optical tomography technology capable of direct and real-time measurement of the surface area of airborne particles. By coupling advanced laser diagnostic tools with physiological models and in vitro characterisation techniques, this project will determine the hitherto unknown fundamental and critical relationships between the surface area of an aerosol and its dissolution when delivered to a target. The Project’s outcomes will enable aerosol device manufacturers to develop and market significantly more advanced and highly specific products, thus conferring a competitive advantage.Read moreRead less
Particle transport in the human upper airway. This project aims to determine the fundamental mechanisms that drive particle transport in physiologically realistic human airways. Through use of novel magnetic resonance imaging and laser diagnostic techniques, the project expects to transform our ability to develop effective and validated predictive capabilities for particle transport in physiologically accurate geometries. The project outcomes are expected to enable unprecedented definition of ho ....Particle transport in the human upper airway. This project aims to determine the fundamental mechanisms that drive particle transport in physiologically realistic human airways. Through use of novel magnetic resonance imaging and laser diagnostic techniques, the project expects to transform our ability to develop effective and validated predictive capabilities for particle transport in physiologically accurate geometries. The project outcomes are expected to enable unprecedented definition of how particles are transported in human airways as a function of breathing profiles, particle properties and morphology.Read moreRead less
Enabling aerosol delivery of phages to defeat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This project aims to explore the use of bacteriophages towards producing a safe, natural, and highly effective alternative to traditional antibiotics. Respiratory infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria are a major health problem worldwide, and cost Australia over $150 million annually. Some 5,000 Australians die each year from antibiotic resistant infections. The project aims to produce efficac ....Enabling aerosol delivery of phages to defeat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This project aims to explore the use of bacteriophages towards producing a safe, natural, and highly effective alternative to traditional antibiotics. Respiratory infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria are a major health problem worldwide, and cost Australia over $150 million annually. Some 5,000 Australians die each year from antibiotic resistant infections. The project aims to produce efficacious and stable formulations of bacteriophages for easy delivery by inhalation as aerosols with a long shelf-life, making them a commercially viable product. The expected research outcome can lead to an economic and efficient technology to produce phage powders for novel treatment strategies of infections by inhalation.Read moreRead less
Ultra-low dose dry powder inhaler technology for the treatment of respiratory diseases. Drug molecules are being developed for respiratory diseases, which are highly potent but beyond our capability in terms of delivery. Using a combination of high-end particle engineering and characterisation approaches, coupled with computational modelling, the project will develop a theoretical model that can be used to deliver ultra-low doses to the lungs.
One for all and all for one: Engineering a drug delivery platform for DNA vaccines to the lung. Vaccination using next generation DNA plasmids is hindered by the lack of a suitable delivery technology. This project aims to develop a low-cost vaccination platform that can deliver any DNA vaccine via inhalation. High efficiency dry powder particles that contain a novel synthetic cell penetration enhancer and incorporate the drug delivery vehicle in a disposable inhalation device will be engineered ....One for all and all for one: Engineering a drug delivery platform for DNA vaccines to the lung. Vaccination using next generation DNA plasmids is hindered by the lack of a suitable delivery technology. This project aims to develop a low-cost vaccination platform that can deliver any DNA vaccine via inhalation. High efficiency dry powder particles that contain a novel synthetic cell penetration enhancer and incorporate the drug delivery vehicle in a disposable inhalation device will be engineered. The project aims to help develop a fundamental understanding of the properties that govern interactions in these systems, and a number of in vitro tools that can be used by the wider scientific community. Ultimately, a single platform that can be used for the vaccination of any disease will be created.Read moreRead less
Production of nano-composite particles for inhalational delivery of combination drugs. The project seeks to create a new particle engineering process for pharmaceuticals. The successful outcome will i) enhance substantially the competitiveness of Australia’s research in functional nanomaterials and advanced biomaterials, and ii) benefit the Australian pharmaceutical industry in developing proprietary pharmaceutical formulations.
Novel nano-composite particles for controlled-release drugs via inhalation. This project will explore a novel nano-medicine technology using nanocrystals in liposomes to design new composite particles to enable optimal release of antibiotics delivered by inhalation. Respiratory infection caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria is a major health problem worldwide. Controlled-release products using liposomes simplify dose regimen and enhance bacterial killing. Currently, aerosolised liposomes are l ....Novel nano-composite particles for controlled-release drugs via inhalation. This project will explore a novel nano-medicine technology using nanocrystals in liposomes to design new composite particles to enable optimal release of antibiotics delivered by inhalation. Respiratory infection caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria is a major health problem worldwide. Controlled-release products using liposomes simplify dose regimen and enhance bacterial killing. Currently, aerosolised liposomes are limited to liquid forms with limited control over release and stability. The project will provide new technology on manufacturing composite powders of antibiotics that may ultimately lead to the development of effective new treatments against drug-resistant bacteria.Read moreRead less
An attack from all angles! Multiphase particle systems that target respiratory infection. This project will result in advanced inhaled medicines for lung infection. Micron-particles will be engineered to have sustained drug release when deposited at sites of infection, yet avoid natural clearance and defence mechanisms. To study these systems, a series of characterisation, in vitro cell and in silico tools will be developed.