Mammalian chitinases and gene therapy: new weapons to combat fungal and insect attack in mammals. Plants combat fungal and insect attack by producing chitin degrading enzymes. Related, chitinolytic enzymes have been identified in mammals, but their functions are unclear. We found that chitinases from human macrophages inhibited fungal growth. We hypothesise that, like plants, mammalian chitinases are produced to fight chitin containing pathogens. We will transform cells with a chitotriosidase ge ....Mammalian chitinases and gene therapy: new weapons to combat fungal and insect attack in mammals. Plants combat fungal and insect attack by producing chitin degrading enzymes. Related, chitinolytic enzymes have been identified in mammals, but their functions are unclear. We found that chitinases from human macrophages inhibited fungal growth. We hypothesise that, like plants, mammalian chitinases are produced to fight chitin containing pathogens. We will transform cells with a chitotriosidase gene and encapsulate them, creating bioreactors secreting chitinases. Therapeutic effects will be tested by grafting bioreactors to mice inoculated with Aspergillus. The research is a new approach to fighting chitin containing pathogens, with potential applications from parasite infestations in livestock to fungal infections in humans.Read moreRead less
DNA methylation-based diagnosis of cancer and identification of novel therapeutic targets. In our aging society, cancer represents a severe economic and quality-of-life threat. DNA methylation switches genes off, and recently, it was shown that defects in DNA methylation contribute to human diseases including cancer. This project will identify defects in DNA methylation associated with cancer. Identifying these defects will enable us to design non-invasive, early diagnostic tests for cancer on b ....DNA methylation-based diagnosis of cancer and identification of novel therapeutic targets. In our aging society, cancer represents a severe economic and quality-of-life threat. DNA methylation switches genes off, and recently, it was shown that defects in DNA methylation contribute to human diseases including cancer. This project will identify defects in DNA methylation associated with cancer. Identifying these defects will enable us to design non-invasive, early diagnostic tests for cancer on blood or bodily excretions, and to pursue novel therapeutic approaches for treating cancer. The expected outcomes would generate exports to markets in the USA and Europe and replace imports of drugs and technology to treat cancer.Read moreRead less
Drug particle characterisation. The understanding of drug particle characterizations is one of the key issues in the development of novel nasal sprayers for targeted drug delivery. A comprehensive study is proposed for characterising drug formation in sprayers and particle deposition in nasal cavity using the latest experimental and numerical techniques. A computer-aided design technology will be developed to optimise drug delivery systems. The new technology has great potentials leading to the ....Drug particle characterisation. The understanding of drug particle characterizations is one of the key issues in the development of novel nasal sprayers for targeted drug delivery. A comprehensive study is proposed for characterising drug formation in sprayers and particle deposition in nasal cavity using the latest experimental and numerical techniques. A computer-aided design technology will be developed to optimise drug delivery systems. The new technology has great potentials leading to therapeutic and economic benefits in developing advanced/innovative drug delivery systems and in evaluating the potential biological effects by the drugs to be introduced through the nose.Read moreRead less
OPTIMIZED NASAL DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS -- COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN. The aim of this project is to develop a computer-aided design technology to assist in targeted drug delivery through the human nasal cavity which is being recognised to be an excellent alternative route for the administration of medication drugs. The aim will be achieved by conducting computer modelling of nasal flow under realistic physiological conditions and by performing experimental measurements and testing to validate computer ....OPTIMIZED NASAL DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS -- COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN. The aim of this project is to develop a computer-aided design technology to assist in targeted drug delivery through the human nasal cavity which is being recognised to be an excellent alternative route for the administration of medication drugs. The aim will be achieved by conducting computer modelling of nasal flow under realistic physiological conditions and by performing experimental measurements and testing to validate computer models. The new technology has great potentials leading to therapeutic and economical benefits in developing advanced/innovative drug delivery systems and in evaluating the potential biological effects by the drugs to be introduced through the nose.Read moreRead less
Dissecting the physiology of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells to develop vaccine candidates for respiratory disease. The project aims to gain an understanding of how a type of adult stem cell inhibits immune responses that cause asthma. The project will produce new stem cell products and facilitate the design of a vaccine for asthma and other respiratory diseases, which would greatly reduce the burden of such conditions.
Intracellular trafficking and function of a recycling receptor which prolongs the serum half-life of novel therapeutic proteins. The life span of recombinant engineered proteins for therapeutic use is a critical factor in their effectiveness, ease of clinical application and cost. This project will exploit interactions with a natural receptor, which prolongs the lifespan of serum proteins, to enhance survival of therapeutic engineered proteins.