Investigation Of Zinc Dyshomeostasis Associated With Aging And Dementia-related Disorders Using Novel Nanodiamond-based Markers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$604,644.00
Summary
This project will illuminate the fundamental brain changes that lead to age-related cognitive decline by means of newly developed biamarker based on fluorescent nanodiamonds. The expected outcome of this work will be a unique approach to elucidate the source of cognitive decline that will fill a significant unmet need within the community.
The Use Of Gene-Silencing Nanodrugs To Inhibit Lung Cancer Growth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$452,950.00
Summary
Lung cancer accounts for the most cancer deaths worldwide. This research proposal will use state-of-the-art nanomedicines designed to penetrate lung tumours and suppress a gene which drives cancer growth and resistance to chemotherapy drugs. Our results could underpin new approaches that revolutionise more effective and less toxic treatments for a highly lethal malignancy.
Building On Our Strengths (BOOSt): Developing And Evaluating Birthing On Country Primary Maternity Units
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,090,701.00
Summary
Optimal healthcare during the year before and after birth can provide benefits for a lifetime. Our project will deliver this optimal care by implementing and evaluating Birthing on Country Service Delivery Models in urban, regional and remote sites. Birthing on Country combines Indigenous knowledge and governance, culturally safe care, continuity of midwifery carer, birth in an Indigenous birth centre and development of the Indigenous maternal and infant workforce.
Achieving Targeted Delivery Of Drugs To Uterine Muscle In Women For The Prevention Of Preterm Labour
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$469,008.00
Summary
We have patented liposomes targeted to the uterus, which enable us to deliver drugs specifically to the muscle cells of the uterus, increasing safety. The liposomes can be loaded with drugs that either block or promote contractions, creating a versatile drug delivery system that could treat premature labour or postpartum haemorrhage which are major clinical problems. We seek support to demonstrate their effectiveness in mouse and primate models of preterm labour prior to human studies.
Optimising Care For Patients Diagnosed With Pancreatic Cancer: A Prospective Cohort Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,399,839.00
Summary
There is evidence from previous research in Queensland and NSW that elements of care provided to patients with pancreatic cancer are sub-optimal. We aim to improve compliance with evidence-based guidelines in Victoria and NSW by collecting high quality data, providing reports to hospitals benchmarking their performance against peers and working with health services to reduce variation. Making sure care known to improve practice is being delivered is as important as developing new targeted thera
SCALE-C: Strategies For Hepatitis C Testing And Treatment In Aboriginal Communities That Lead To Elimination
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,175,170.00
Summary
Prevalence of hepatitis C infection within the Aboriginal population is among the highest of any identifiable population in Australia. Highly effective, direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy, and their listing on the PBS in 2016 has revolutionised HCV clinical management in Australia. The SCALE-C study will evaluate an established test and treat model to rapidly scale-up DAA within four Aboriginal communities to determine both impact on community prevalence and ongoing transmission.
Solving Delivery Of Gene Therapy For Control Of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$765,439.00
Summary
Antiretroviral therapy free control of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection requires control of the viral reservoir. We have a unique approach, aimed at enforcing HIV latency by targeting highly conserved regions in the viral promoter. These constructs completely silence viral transcription for long periods of time. We intend to develop & assess vectors that are specifically targeted to the reservoir and which can enforce viral latency despite immune activation or viral variation.
Confronting everyday harms: preventing abuse of people with disability. The findings of the Disability Royal Commission necessitate new approaches to prevent violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. Framed by recognition theory, this project proposes empirical research with young people with cognitive disability, using a new concept of ‘everyday harms’ in their paid relationships. The results will inform early responses to poor quality interactions in disability support. The strategic alliance ....Confronting everyday harms: preventing abuse of people with disability. The findings of the Disability Royal Commission necessitate new approaches to prevent violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. Framed by recognition theory, this project proposes empirical research with young people with cognitive disability, using a new concept of ‘everyday harms’ in their paid relationships. The results will inform early responses to poor quality interactions in disability support. The strategic alliances with the government, industry and community partners will develop a practice framework to prevent everyday harms and the escalation to abuse, and to promote safety and wellbeing. The research has policy benefits for capacity-building in the sector to act on the rights and voices of people with disability. Read moreRead less
Antagonist Of Corticotrophin Releasing Hormone As Therapeutic Agents For The Prevention Of Premature Birth In Humans
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$376,650.00
Summary
In developed countries the most common cause of the death of a newborn baby is premature delivery. Pre-term delivery remains the greatest cause of neonatal mortality in the western world and a major consumer of health dollars (approx. $5-7B per year in the US alone). However, a delay in the onset of labour from 20 to 25 weeks has been shown to result in a 55% greater probability of infant survival (550 fewer deaths per 1000). This project will allow: The development of new drugs that will allow ....In developed countries the most common cause of the death of a newborn baby is premature delivery. Pre-term delivery remains the greatest cause of neonatal mortality in the western world and a major consumer of health dollars (approx. $5-7B per year in the US alone). However, a delay in the onset of labour from 20 to 25 weeks has been shown to result in a 55% greater probability of infant survival (550 fewer deaths per 1000). This project will allow: The development of new drugs that will allow the extension of pregnancy term The development of protocols that will in turn reduce neonatal mortality. Additionally we believe that these new agents will be useful in preventing the onset of labour after fetal surgery. Currently there are no effective treatments capable of substantially changing delivery dates. Available therapeutics delay the onset of labour, at best, 24 hours. However, recent exciting results from our laboratories show that rising concentrations of the placental peptide Corticotrophin Releasing Hormone (CRH) are associated with the onset of labour. Further, we have also delayed the onset of labour in pregnant sheep by infusing a relatively insoluble CRH antagonist into the sheep fetus. Labour commenced ONLY AFTER the drug was withdrawn from the mother. This project builds upon an interdisciplinary team: medicinal chemists, molecular modellers, pharmacologists and endocrinologists, to further develop an exciting Australian discovery. Successful completeion of this research will, for the first time, allow the control of pregnancy duration MAXIMISING the benefits to mother and child, reducing mortality and later life morbidities typically associated with premature birth.Read moreRead less
The DietAdvice Website A New Innovation For Dietitians In Clinical Practice.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$140,975.00
Summary
Due to the growing incidence of obesity within Australia, use of computer technology may be a method of targeting these people by increasing access to dietary services. Currently available dietary software in the Australian context only allows analysis of nutrient information. Thus when a dietitian sees a patient they must manually translate food intake to nutrient information, a largely time consuming exercise. DietAdvice is a website that was developed for people to enter in their own food int ....Due to the growing incidence of obesity within Australia, use of computer technology may be a method of targeting these people by increasing access to dietary services. Currently available dietary software in the Australian context only allows analysis of nutrient information. Thus when a dietitian sees a patient they must manually translate food intake to nutrient information, a largely time consuming exercise. DietAdvice is a website that was developed for people to enter in their own food intakes. The food information is sent to a dietitian who develops individualised dietary advice for them. A pilot study of the website has already found it to be feasible in the primary healthcare setting. Tested for 12 months the website was used by 224 patients from GP practices in the Illawarra region of NSW. Approximately 73% of patients were overweight and patients with a high BMI were 1.88 times more likely to use the website in the comfort of their home. Further research about the website however was needed. The research to follow on from the pilot study will aim to refine the DietAdvice website, leading towards its commercialisation for dietitians in clinical practice. The research will be broken into 3 phases. Phase 1 will involve a usability test of the website, assessing the underlying algorithms and testing it with dietitians in private practice. Phase 2 will see volunteers using the website on multiple occasions after being given pre-weighed amounts of food to eat. This will determine how reliable and accurate the information is; and phase 3 will evaluate whether the website is cost effective and if it increases accessibility of health services especially in rural areas. By confirming these attributes there will be a sound basis to commercialise the product.Read moreRead less