Harnessing lipid nano-assembly for next generation functional foods and pharmaceutical products. Nature assembles lipid molecules from our diet into useful structures in our gastrointestinal tract with remarkable precision and versatility. By understanding and harnessing these processes we can design new lipid-based nanomaterials leading to more effective functional foods and pharmaceutical products with reduced side effects.
Physico-chemical and Biopharmaceutical Investigations of Novel Drug Delivery Systems for Oral Administration of Lipophilic Drugs. The new platform technology for carrying lipophilic molecules will be applicable to many molecules currently under development by Australian Industry and will inspire novel encapsulation approaches to new and existing drugs as well as functional foods and nutraceuticals. Improved oral bioavailability of anticancer drugs will improve the quality of life of patients, re ....Physico-chemical and Biopharmaceutical Investigations of Novel Drug Delivery Systems for Oral Administration of Lipophilic Drugs. The new platform technology for carrying lipophilic molecules will be applicable to many molecules currently under development by Australian Industry and will inspire novel encapsulation approaches to new and existing drugs as well as functional foods and nutraceuticals. Improved oral bioavailability of anticancer drugs will improve the quality of life of patients, reduce health care costs and provide broader benefits to the community. The Australian biotechnology/pharmaceutical industries can share in a greater proportion of the US$50 billion market for specialised drug delivery, which is increasing by 20% annually. Australia's scientific competitiveness will be strengthened in the fields of nano-encapsulation and colloidal delivery.Read moreRead less
Skin penetration of nanoparticles promoted by particle design, formulation and application method. This project seeks to better define the determinants of nanoparticle skin penetration and subsequent disposition in the body. The data would be used to guide minimal skin penetration of 'undesirable' nanoparticles and the properties required of 'safe' nanoparticles to enable effective human skin delivery in cosmetic and dermatological products.
Using a battery of tests to evaluate the potential toxicity of remediated and unremediated soils and dusts contaminated with metals. An in vitro model simulating the intact and immature infant intestinal epithelium will be used to determine the changes in solubility and uptake of metals following in situ remediation processes. The earthworm and bacterial luminescence toxicity tests indicate the ecotoxicity of contaminated soils.
Many garden soils, household dusts, and industrial sites are conta ....Using a battery of tests to evaluate the potential toxicity of remediated and unremediated soils and dusts contaminated with metals. An in vitro model simulating the intact and immature infant intestinal epithelium will be used to determine the changes in solubility and uptake of metals following in situ remediation processes. The earthworm and bacterial luminescence toxicity tests indicate the ecotoxicity of contaminated soils.
Many garden soils, household dusts, and industrial sites are contaminated with lead, cadmium, and other metals. These pose a risk to human health, especially of children, and ecosystem health
These tests will be applied to prioritise sites where metal contamination exists and to evaluate the effectiveness of remediation techniques in reducing metal uptake and toxicity.Read moreRead less
Smart hybrid nano-biomaterials that mimic the pharmaceutical food effect. Smart biomaterials will be developed which when taken orally will act in our gut to improve drug and vitamin uptake. The breakthrough science will drive new pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals for the future health of Australia, and economic benefits will result through increased exposure to the global market for delivering biomolecules.
Complex nano-systems for highly selective imaging and targeting of cells. The aim of the project is to design multi-functional nanoparticles that can be tracked by multiple bio-imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography imaging. The nanoparticles are designed to be targetable to specific cell populations and capable of delivering drugs. The project plans to concentrate the MRI-active gadolinium into nanoparticles to generate enhanced images, and ....Complex nano-systems for highly selective imaging and targeting of cells. The aim of the project is to design multi-functional nanoparticles that can be tracked by multiple bio-imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography imaging. The nanoparticles are designed to be targetable to specific cell populations and capable of delivering drugs. The project plans to concentrate the MRI-active gadolinium into nanoparticles to generate enhanced images, and to combine this with other imaging modalities to facilitate tracking and sensitivity. Expected outcomes would enable a new approach to extremely accurate and sensitive imaging of tumours to enable the imaging of much smaller tumours than currently possible. This would allow early therapeutic intervention. The nanoparticles are also designed to deliver a therapeutic payload to specific locations, avoiding systemic delivery of toxic anticancer drugs.Read moreRead less
Production of Biodegradable Polyhydroxyalkanoate Polymers using Advanced Biological Wastewater Treatment Process Technology. The aim of this project is to develop a sustainable process for producing biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHAs)polymers from an innovative aerobic-anaerobic biological wastewater treatment process, ?treating? high strength food industry effluent. These biopolymers offer enormous potential for use as renewable and biodegradable thermoplastics.
It is proposed to inve ....Production of Biodegradable Polyhydroxyalkanoate Polymers using Advanced Biological Wastewater Treatment Process Technology. The aim of this project is to develop a sustainable process for producing biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHAs)polymers from an innovative aerobic-anaerobic biological wastewater treatment process, ?treating? high strength food industry effluent. These biopolymers offer enormous potential for use as renewable and biodegradable thermoplastics.
It is proposed to investigate two process configurations, namely the sequencing batch reactor and a continuous two step anaerobic-aerobic reaction system. These will be studied at bench-scale. The outcomes include:
1. Determination of the optimum microbial conditions and key growth
parameters for the production of PHA.
2. Optimisation of the process configuration, operating strategies
and operating conditions to maximise the
production of PHA.
3. Assessment of the influence of the feed composition (e.g. VFA)
on the PHA composition (PHB/PHV).
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Ion channel biosensors based on porous waveguides. Realising the importance of membrane proteins for the functioning of every organism, this project will develop technology to investigate membrane protein functions based on a novel approach combining nanotechnology and biology. The technology will lead to a bio-inspired sensor device capable of detecting minute quantities of molecular analytes.
A nanoengineered solution to drug delivery in bone. This project presents an exciting new approach of applying nanotechnology to bone research. By combining our expertise in nanoengineering of new materials, mathematical modelling and bone biology, this project will result in a well-characterised model for drug delivery into bone and lead to a new therapeutic approach for treating bone diseases.
Heat transfer in novel solar thermal reactors to process minerals and solar fuels. The project will develop new design tools for optimising novel solar reactors for the production of solar fuels and for low emission minerals processing. It will enable substantial cost reductions in these technologies and establish a unique and leading program in solar power tower technology within Australia.