Development Of Novel Reagents For The Point-of-care(field) Diagnosis &differentiation Of The Malaria Parasites, Plasmodi
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$117,000.00
Summary
Malaria is a major global health problem. 500 million people become infected with malaria parasites every year and 2-3 million people die each year from the disease. Rapid diagnosis of the disease is needed to allow correct treatment protocols. Increasingly protein-based immunochromatographic tests are being employed for the diagnosis of malaria as they offer significant advantages over classical thick smear tests, which require trained personnel and laboratory facilities. We propose to develop ....Malaria is a major global health problem. 500 million people become infected with malaria parasites every year and 2-3 million people die each year from the disease. Rapid diagnosis of the disease is needed to allow correct treatment protocols. Increasingly protein-based immunochromatographic tests are being employed for the diagnosis of malaria as they offer significant advantages over classical thick smear tests, which require trained personnel and laboratory facilities. We propose to develop a protein-based malaria diagnostic that has the ability to distinguish the two major human pathogens, P.falciparum and P. vivax.Read moreRead less
The sphincter of Oddi is a valve-like structure, which regulates the flow of bile and pancreatic juice into the gut. The sphincter of Oddi is under complex control involving nerves and hormones. We know that abnormal sphincter of Oddi function (sphincter of Oddi dysfunction) is associated with a number of human diseases including acute pancreatitis. We are able to recognise abnormal sphincter activity, but we do not know what causes it. One possible reason may be that the nerves going to the sph ....The sphincter of Oddi is a valve-like structure, which regulates the flow of bile and pancreatic juice into the gut. The sphincter of Oddi is under complex control involving nerves and hormones. We know that abnormal sphincter of Oddi function (sphincter of Oddi dysfunction) is associated with a number of human diseases including acute pancreatitis. We are able to recognise abnormal sphincter activity, but we do not know what causes it. One possible reason may be that the nerves going to the sphincter along the bile duct (which carries bile from the liver and gallbladder) may be damaged due to the passage of gallstones or during surgery on the bile ducts or gallbladder. We know that the main bile duct is able to sense pressure changes within and communicate this information (via nerves) to the sphincter which inturn alters its activity to relieve the pressure. Where these nerves are located and the chemical messages they use, are unknown. The aim of this project is to gain some of this information. This knowledge may allow us to design different surgical procedures or develop drugs to prevent or manage the abnormal sphincter of Oddi.Read moreRead less
Identification Of The Mechanisms Of Hepatic Fibrogenesis Aid In The Detection And Prediction Of Clinical Outcomes In Paediatric Cholestatic Liver Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$624,429.00
Summary
Biliary Atresia (BA) and Cystic Fibrosis Liver Disease (CFLD) are important causes of childhood cirrhosis. Diagnosis is difficult, treatments problematic, and outcomes suboptimal. In BA, bile duct obstruction in infants rapidly progresses to liver failure. It is the most common indication for liver transplantation in children. CFLD causes significant morbidity/mortality in about 20% of CF children. This proposal investigates the mechanisms of liver fibrosis (scarring) and the role of fibrosis in ....Biliary Atresia (BA) and Cystic Fibrosis Liver Disease (CFLD) are important causes of childhood cirrhosis. Diagnosis is difficult, treatments problematic, and outcomes suboptimal. In BA, bile duct obstruction in infants rapidly progresses to liver failure. It is the most common indication for liver transplantation in children. CFLD causes significant morbidity/mortality in about 20% of CF children. This proposal investigates the mechanisms of liver fibrosis (scarring) and the role of fibrosis in both diagnosis and predicting clinical outcome.Read moreRead less