Characterisation of the oxygen-sensing asparaginyl hydroxylase, FIH-1, and hydroxylase-specific antagonists. This research will provide fundamental information on how cells and whole organisms can sense and respond accordingly to oxygen deficiency. This information is fundamental for our understanding of embryo development and adult life in different environments, and central to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as stroke, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. This research will contrib ....Characterisation of the oxygen-sensing asparaginyl hydroxylase, FIH-1, and hydroxylase-specific antagonists. This research will provide fundamental information on how cells and whole organisms can sense and respond accordingly to oxygen deficiency. This information is fundamental for our understanding of embryo development and adult life in different environments, and central to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as stroke, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. This research will contribute to our basic knowledge of these processes, provide invaluable information about the specific genes and proteins involved, and provide direct information about the therapeutic potential of specific drugs or inhibitors designed to target this oxygen response in human disease.Read moreRead less
Short silk nanofibre based 3D scaffolds with enhanced biomimicry. This project aims to understand the behaviour of haematopoietic stem cells (HSC) in novel 3D scaffolds based on short silk nanofibres. This will lead to highly functional 3D scaffolding materials that support efficient HSC renewal in vitro. This project aims to overcome the key problem with existing in vitro systems, which lack the morphological and biochemical complexities of native HSC-niche. Since haematopoietic stem cells are ....Short silk nanofibre based 3D scaffolds with enhanced biomimicry. This project aims to understand the behaviour of haematopoietic stem cells (HSC) in novel 3D scaffolds based on short silk nanofibres. This will lead to highly functional 3D scaffolding materials that support efficient HSC renewal in vitro. This project aims to overcome the key problem with existing in vitro systems, which lack the morphological and biochemical complexities of native HSC-niche. Since haematopoietic stem cells are the precursors to all blood cells, this project has the potential of engineering a high yield artificial ‘blood factory’, which will help save the lives of many thousands of people who rely on bone marrow transplants to treat life-threatening illness such as leukaemia.Read moreRead less
Improved cryopreservation protocols for long term storage of platelets. The aim of this project is to characterise human blood platelet deterioration during cold storage and cryopreservation, and accelerate the development of improved long-term storage options. The project expects to generate important new knowledge about how platelets deteriorate during storage, and how such deterioration can be minimized. The expected outcomes are improved methods for long term platelet storage. This should be ....Improved cryopreservation protocols for long term storage of platelets. The aim of this project is to characterise human blood platelet deterioration during cold storage and cryopreservation, and accelerate the development of improved long-term storage options. The project expects to generate important new knowledge about how platelets deteriorate during storage, and how such deterioration can be minimized. The expected outcomes are improved methods for long term platelet storage. This should benefit blood donation services and hospitals by improving platelet delivery to remote locations, reducing wasted blood and the number of donations required, leading to significant financial savings.Read moreRead less
Biomimetic blood bag materials for prolonged platelet storage. Platelet storage is limited to five to seven days before there is a reduction in viable platelets. This results in a continual mismatch between supply and demand resulting in patients in remotes areas or those that have rare phenotypes missing out on platelets. It also results in the wastage of platelets because they expire before they can be used clinically. This project aims to extend the platelet shelf life beyond seven days by de ....Biomimetic blood bag materials for prolonged platelet storage. Platelet storage is limited to five to seven days before there is a reduction in viable platelets. This results in a continual mismatch between supply and demand resulting in patients in remotes areas or those that have rare phenotypes missing out on platelets. It also results in the wastage of platelets because they expire before they can be used clinically. This project aims to extend the platelet shelf life beyond seven days by developing biomimetic blood bag materials that reflect the natural molecular structures of blood vessels through the use of novel synthetic and biological materials. With the realisation of longer platelet storage times, this project aims to have significant impacts on the health and economic benefits of Australians.Read moreRead less
The impact of haemoglobin deferral on blood donors: perceptions, health and non-return. Blood donors are an vital in ensuring the health of the Australian community. However, they are few in number and difficult to recruit. It is crucial to keep existing donors in the system so that Australia has an assured blood supply, not only for the traditional reasons (road trauma, replacement in surgery, treatment of diseases such as cancer), but also to cope with natural disasters, emergent diseases and ....The impact of haemoglobin deferral on blood donors: perceptions, health and non-return. Blood donors are an vital in ensuring the health of the Australian community. However, they are few in number and difficult to recruit. It is crucial to keep existing donors in the system so that Australia has an assured blood supply, not only for the traditional reasons (road trauma, replacement in surgery, treatment of diseases such as cancer), but also to cope with natural disasters, emergent diseases and the potential results of terrorist activities. Apart from providing new information on blood donor behaviour, the project will also contribute to more general knowledge about volunteers in the community and their role in the maintenance and development of health services.Read moreRead less