Domestic air quality: towards the setting of guidelines. Air quality standards have been developed to protect human health. Although people spend most of their time indoors there are no standards and only a few guidelines for indoor air pollution (IAP). The aim of this study is to investigate the levels of IAP that may worsen asthma in children. Childhood asthma will be used as a health indicator due to its high prevalence, cost to the healthcare system and implications for respiratory morbidity ....Domestic air quality: towards the setting of guidelines. Air quality standards have been developed to protect human health. Although people spend most of their time indoors there are no standards and only a few guidelines for indoor air pollution (IAP). The aim of this study is to investigate the levels of IAP that may worsen asthma in children. Childhood asthma will be used as a health indicator due to its high prevalence, cost to the healthcare system and implications for respiratory morbidity in adult life. We expect to identify levels of IAP that will represent a health risk as well as the factors that may contribute to increased IAP in homes.Read moreRead less
X-ray Micro-tomography Validation of HRCT-Based Airway Measurements. This project brings together a newly emergent modality of microscopy in the form of 3D X-ray micro-tomography (XRMT) along with leading-edge image analysis to develop breakthrough science in respiratory research aimed at improving the reliability of high resolution computed tomography (HRCT). The project will develop novel 3D lung image segmentation protocols, a stereotactic registration program allowing 3D matching of XRCT and ....X-ray Micro-tomography Validation of HRCT-Based Airway Measurements. This project brings together a newly emergent modality of microscopy in the form of 3D X-ray micro-tomography (XRMT) along with leading-edge image analysis to develop breakthrough science in respiratory research aimed at improving the reliability of high resolution computed tomography (HRCT). The project will develop novel 3D lung image segmentation protocols, a stereotactic registration program allowing 3D matching of XRCT and HRCT data sets, and a validation protocol for quantitative HRCT analysis of airway disease. These outcomes will allow wider application of HRCT to non-invasively follow the dynamics of pulmonary function.Read moreRead less
Modelling and Measurement of Flow-Structure Dynamics in the Human Upper Airway. Sleep disruption due to the common and disabling conditions of snoring and obstruction of the human upper airway can result in chronic fatigue, lost work and accidents caused by daytime drowsiness. To date the behaviour of the upper airway has not been adequately studied in terms able to reveal the mechanical causes of these conditions. This deficiency is addressed through the development and use of simulation tools ....Modelling and Measurement of Flow-Structure Dynamics in the Human Upper Airway. Sleep disruption due to the common and disabling conditions of snoring and obstruction of the human upper airway can result in chronic fatigue, lost work and accidents caused by daytime drowsiness. To date the behaviour of the upper airway has not been adequately studied in terms able to reveal the mechanical causes of these conditions. This deficiency is addressed through the development and use of simulation tools and measurement techniques that will elucidate the flow-structure dynamics leading to new diagnostic and improved treatment methods. Simulating the effect of treatment on any individual will permit it to be chosen to maximise its efficacy for a problem that costs the nation an estimated $2 Billion per year in lost productivity.Read moreRead less
Discrete particle simulation of powder dispersion in pharmaceutical aerosol inhalers. A successful completion of the project will i) greatly enhance the Australian R&D profile and capabilities of both computational modelling and pharmaceutical aerosol research in the world; ii) provide an improved delivery of therapeutic dose to patients via inhalers with better performance to enhance the therapeutic benefits; iii) enable wide availability of inexpensive and effective pharmaceutical inhalation p ....Discrete particle simulation of powder dispersion in pharmaceutical aerosol inhalers. A successful completion of the project will i) greatly enhance the Australian R&D profile and capabilities of both computational modelling and pharmaceutical aerosol research in the world; ii) provide an improved delivery of therapeutic dose to patients via inhalers with better performance to enhance the therapeutic benefits; iii) enable wide availability of inexpensive and effective pharmaceutical inhalation products to the Australian community for the treatment of asthma and other diseases, iv) facilitate environmentally friendly technology since powder aerosol delivery does not require any harmful organic solvents to operate.Read moreRead less
Synthesis of nanoparticles by impinging liquid-jet precipitation for inhalation drug delivery. The project aim is to develop a state of the art technology for the efficient, reliable and economical production of nanoparticles of drugs suitable for inhalation delivery to the lung. Nanoparticles can penetrate deeper into the lung where they deposit and dissolve faster for enhanced therapeutic effects. The project will focus on both the production process and the particle properties for aerosol a ....Synthesis of nanoparticles by impinging liquid-jet precipitation for inhalation drug delivery. The project aim is to develop a state of the art technology for the efficient, reliable and economical production of nanoparticles of drugs suitable for inhalation delivery to the lung. Nanoparticles can penetrate deeper into the lung where they deposit and dissolve faster for enhanced therapeutic effects. The project will focus on both the production process and the particle properties for aerosol administration. Successful development of the technology will not only gain new knowledge in the key area of nanotechnology, but also lead to better inhalation therapy to benefit patients.Read moreRead less
Improving asthma device use: Innovative models for inter-professional practice. This project falls within the goals of National Priority 2: promoting and maintaining good health. This project has the potential to affect every individual accessing health care in the Australia. Through its approach to and focus on improving the use of asthma medications this project will impact on: the quality use of medicines and health outcomes for patients. Through its focus on health professional relationships ....Improving asthma device use: Innovative models for inter-professional practice. This project falls within the goals of National Priority 2: promoting and maintaining good health. This project has the potential to affect every individual accessing health care in the Australia. Through its approach to and focus on improving the use of asthma medications this project will impact on: the quality use of medicines and health outcomes for patients. Through its focus on health professional relationships and interdisciplinary approach to community health care it will result in: improved interprofessional relationships and a model of collaboration which has the potential to be implemented on a broad scale in the community.Read moreRead less
Development of a novel process for the formation of particles with controlled surface architecture for respiratory drug delivery. A successful conclusion of this project will enhance substantially the competitiveness of Australia's research in functional nanomaterials and advanced biomaterials. The Australian pharmaceutical industry will gain through the ability to develop proprietary pharmaceutical formulations targeted towards taking advantage of the novel process. Patients of asthma, lung inf ....Development of a novel process for the formation of particles with controlled surface architecture for respiratory drug delivery. A successful conclusion of this project will enhance substantially the competitiveness of Australia's research in functional nanomaterials and advanced biomaterials. The Australian pharmaceutical industry will gain through the ability to develop proprietary pharmaceutical formulations targeted towards taking advantage of the novel process. Patients of asthma, lung infection and other serious health problems will benefit from an improved delivery of therapeutic dose at a much reduced cost. The technology is environmentally friendly as powder aerosol delivery does not require any harmful organic solvent to operate.Read moreRead less
High Gravity Precipitation of Nanoparticles for Pulmonary Drug Delivery. This collaborative project aims to explore the huge market potential of drug delivery by inhalation aerosols using nanoparticles. It will apply cutting edge nanotechnology to develop new techniques using high gravity to synthesise particles of biomaterials suitable for inhalation. Nanoparticles can penetrate deeper into the lung where they deposit and dissolve faster for enhanced therapeutic effects. Successful developme ....High Gravity Precipitation of Nanoparticles for Pulmonary Drug Delivery. This collaborative project aims to explore the huge market potential of drug delivery by inhalation aerosols using nanoparticles. It will apply cutting edge nanotechnology to develop new techniques using high gravity to synthesise particles of biomaterials suitable for inhalation. Nanoparticles can penetrate deeper into the lung where they deposit and dissolve faster for enhanced therapeutic effects. Successful development of the technology will position both Australia and the industry partner to take a lead in the application of this novel technology in pharmaceutical aerosols, and provides better inhalation therapy to benefit patients.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0668493
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$230,000.00
Summary
Characterising particulate laden flow in the lung airways: from drug delivery to primary anthropogenic sources. Facilities will provide infrastructure at Monash University and University of Sydney to continue the collaboration enhancing excellence in an exciting application of fluidics research, supporting the highest level of graduate training, providing innovative tools for industry and promoting industrial collaborations. The infrastructure is unique and will create international funding and ....Characterising particulate laden flow in the lung airways: from drug delivery to primary anthropogenic sources. Facilities will provide infrastructure at Monash University and University of Sydney to continue the collaboration enhancing excellence in an exciting application of fluidics research, supporting the highest level of graduate training, providing innovative tools for industry and promoting industrial collaborations. The infrastructure is unique and will create international funding and collaborative opportunities to support research and postgraduate training. The equipment will add value to existing infrastructure to enhance understanding of particulate flow with the paradoxical outcomes of improving drug deposition in respiratory delivery and of minimising anthropogenic particular deposition for better therapeutic and health outcomes.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0560661
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$245,300.00
Summary
Particulate Characterisation for Pharmaceutical and Engineering Applications. The aim of this proposal is to establish joint facilities between the University of Sydney, Monash University and UNSW for the characterization of surface properties and particle sizes of pharmaceutical aerosols and industrial powders. Such knowledge is important for controlling aerosol production and delivery of drug particles to the lungs. This will have a significant benefit to the pharmaceutical industry and patien ....Particulate Characterisation for Pharmaceutical and Engineering Applications. The aim of this proposal is to establish joint facilities between the University of Sydney, Monash University and UNSW for the characterization of surface properties and particle sizes of pharmaceutical aerosols and industrial powders. Such knowledge is important for controlling aerosol production and delivery of drug particles to the lungs. This will have a significant benefit to the pharmaceutical industry and patients requiring aerosol treatment. Further, the proposed facilities will enhance research in complex particulate processes and modelling, functional nanomaterials, and soft sensor development, thus keeping Australia at the forefront of powder research into various high value adding particulate areas.Read moreRead less