Dental caries (tooth decay) is initiated by demineralisation of tooth hard tissue by organic acids produced by dental plaque bacteria from dietary sugars. The disease is a major public health problem and has an estimated economic burden in Australia of over $1 billion p.a. being higher than that for any other dietary-related disease. We have discovered and patented a novel amorphous calcium fluoride phosphate that is stabilised by phosphopeptides from the bovine milk protein casein. These comple ....Dental caries (tooth decay) is initiated by demineralisation of tooth hard tissue by organic acids produced by dental plaque bacteria from dietary sugars. The disease is a major public health problem and has an estimated economic burden in Australia of over $1 billion p.a. being higher than that for any other dietary-related disease. We have discovered and patented a novel amorphous calcium fluoride phosphate that is stabilised by phosphopeptides from the bovine milk protein casein. These complexes, designated CPP-ACFP, have the potential to provide superior clinical efficacy in preventing dental caries and treating and repairing early stages of disease. The aims of this project therefore are (i) to develop topical formulations of CPP-ACFP for application to teeth to repair early stages of decay and (ii) to characterise the three-dimensional structure of the CPP-ACFP complexes. The significance of this work is that a superior and novel treatment for dental caries may be developed as well as providing insight into the structure of organically-stabilised amorphous calcium phosphate and its role in biomineralisation processes.Read moreRead less
Role Of Calcium Stores And Phosphate Channels In Muscle Fatigue
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$221,640.00
Summary
Muscles become weaker when ever they are used intensively; this is the familiar muscle fatigue. We are studying the mechanism of muscle fatigue and believe it is caused by depletion of a store of calcium inside the muscle. We suspect the store of calcium declines because phosphate, which is a product of muscle metabolism, enters the calcium store and precipitates as calcium phosphate. Currently we are trying to prove this hypothesis and extend it by studying the channels through which phosphate ....Muscles become weaker when ever they are used intensively; this is the familiar muscle fatigue. We are studying the mechanism of muscle fatigue and believe it is caused by depletion of a store of calcium inside the muscle. We suspect the store of calcium declines because phosphate, which is a product of muscle metabolism, enters the calcium store and precipitates as calcium phosphate. Currently we are trying to prove this hypothesis and extend it by studying the channels through which phosphate passes from the muscle cell into the calcium store. It may be possible to find or design drugs which minimise the movement of phosphate through this channel and such a drug might reduce the component of fatigue caused by this mechanism. Such a drug might benefit patients whose normal activities are limited by muscle fatigue; this includes patients with any disabling muscle disease, such as muscular dystrophy or stroke, and patients with heart failure. In addition elderly people suffer a loss of muscle bulk and the remaining muscle is easily fatigued causing loss of mobility and independence; so the elderly might also benefit from such a drug.Read moreRead less
Peripheral Neuropathy And Pain: Role Of The Sphingosine Kinase-sphingosine 1-phosphate System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$282,905.00
Summary
Understanding the neural mechanisms that generate pathological pain remains one of the essential goals for the development of effective treatments for pain, chronic pain with less side effects. Lipids are able to modulate pain perception. We will determine the role of a molecule named sphingosine 1-phosphate as a basis for the development of therapies for the treatment of neuropathic pain.
Molecular Studies Of Dentine Phosphophoryn And Development Of A Biomimetic Dental Restorative Material.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$444,750.00
Summary
This project involves the study of a protein that is found in teeth and is responsible for the development of dentine. The project involves characterisation of this protein and its interaction with calcium phosphate mineral using a variety of techniques. The information obtained will allow the synthesis of a peptide that will mimick the function of phosphophoryn. This peptide will be used together with stabilized amorphous calcium phosphate in a novel dental restorative material that will help p ....This project involves the study of a protein that is found in teeth and is responsible for the development of dentine. The project involves characterisation of this protein and its interaction with calcium phosphate mineral using a variety of techniques. The information obtained will allow the synthesis of a peptide that will mimick the function of phosphophoryn. This peptide will be used together with stabilized amorphous calcium phosphate in a novel dental restorative material that will help protect the surrounding tooth tissue.The outcome will be an improved understanding of the design principles used by nature to engineer teeth. The significance is the potential development of biocompatible, superior dental restorative materials.Read moreRead less
Characterisation Of Proteins Involved In Biomineralisation Processes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$234,175.00
Summary
This project involves the study of two proteins that associate with calcium and phosphate. Phosphophoryn is found in teeth and is responsible for the development of dentine in teeth. Osteopontin is a multi-functional protein found in a variety of tissues as well as in bone and in milk. Its functions in bone and milk are unknown although it is believed to be involved in bone remodelling. This project involves characterisation of these two proteins and their interactions with calcium phosphate min ....This project involves the study of two proteins that associate with calcium and phosphate. Phosphophoryn is found in teeth and is responsible for the development of dentine in teeth. Osteopontin is a multi-functional protein found in a variety of tissues as well as in bone and in milk. Its functions in bone and milk are unknown although it is believed to be involved in bone remodelling. This project involves characterisation of these two proteins and their interactions with calcium phosphate mineral using a variety of techniques. The outcome will be an improved understanding of the design principles used by nature to engineer teeth and bone. The significance is the potential development of biocompatible apatite-based biomaterials for both tooth and bone.Read moreRead less