Bayesian statistical models for understanding outcomes and improving decision-making for women screened for breast cancer. This project has two key benefits: (i) the development of frontier statistical methods for spatio-temporal analysis and data synthesis, which are imperative in a wide range of disciplines; and (ii) the application of these methods for improved understanding of breast cancer outcomes for women screened in Queensland. The project results will lead to direct health and financi ....Bayesian statistical models for understanding outcomes and improving decision-making for women screened for breast cancer. This project has two key benefits: (i) the development of frontier statistical methods for spatio-temporal analysis and data synthesis, which are imperative in a wide range of disciplines; and (ii) the application of these methods for improved understanding of breast cancer outcomes for women screened in Queensland. The project results will lead to direct health and financial benefits through targeted policies for increasing screening uptake and reducing cancer morbidity and mortality and therefore health spending in this area. Importantly, the project represents an excellent training opportunity to develop a PhD candidate into an experienced interdisciplinary researcher.Read moreRead less
Characterisation and improvement of radiation beams used for radiotherapy of small lesions. This project aims to characterise the radiation dose from a medical linear accelerator after the beam has been shaped by a mini-multileaf collimator. The characterisation will be achieved through a combination of computer simulations and experimental investigation of the beam using the technique of three-dimensional gel dosimetry. When the dosage characteristics are known, techniques will be developed to ....Characterisation and improvement of radiation beams used for radiotherapy of small lesions. This project aims to characterise the radiation dose from a medical linear accelerator after the beam has been shaped by a mini-multileaf collimator. The characterisation will be achieved through a combination of computer simulations and experimental investigation of the beam using the technique of three-dimensional gel dosimetry. When the dosage characteristics are known, techniques will be developed to improve radiotherapy treatments in patients with small lesions with sizes of up to a few centimetres. This will lead to an improved outcome for some cancer patients.Read moreRead less
Multi-modal, Multi-dimensional Virtual Microscopy for Diagnostic Quantitative Pathology. This project will contribute to the development of a new generation of virtual microscopy (VM) systems that provide new and innovative features capable of significantly increasing the adoption of digital imaging technology throughout the field of pathology. These systems have the potential to significantly enhance the efficiency and efficacy of not only primary diagnostic workflows, but also aspects of profi ....Multi-modal, Multi-dimensional Virtual Microscopy for Diagnostic Quantitative Pathology. This project will contribute to the development of a new generation of virtual microscopy (VM) systems that provide new and innovative features capable of significantly increasing the adoption of digital imaging technology throughout the field of pathology. These systems have the potential to significantly enhance the efficiency and efficacy of not only primary diagnostic workflows, but also aspects of proficiency testing and continuing education vital for a vibrant, well regulated discipline. In addition, the project will contribute to our knowledge of the pathology assessed in the screening and diagnosis of cancers such as cervical, lung and bladder cancers.Read moreRead less
Planning female and male vaccination and cervical screening strategies to achieve optimal prevention of HPV-related disease. The findings from this research will inform the development of public health policy on the most cost-effective utilisation of resources for preventing cervical, anogenital and head/neck cancers, and genital warts, in women and men, due to human papillomavirus (HPV). We will evaluate strategies for using emerging screening and vaccine technologies to prevent HPV-related dis ....Planning female and male vaccination and cervical screening strategies to achieve optimal prevention of HPV-related disease. The findings from this research will inform the development of public health policy on the most cost-effective utilisation of resources for preventing cervical, anogenital and head/neck cancers, and genital warts, in women and men, due to human papillomavirus (HPV). We will evaluate strategies for using emerging screening and vaccine technologies to prevent HPV-related disease, and assess potential adverse outcomes of vaccination. Men are currently not covered by routine vaccination or screening programs; this research will assess the benefit to men of vaccinating women only, and will consider the impact of vaccination and other interventions targeted towards men.Read moreRead less
Modelling and characterisation of radiation beams used in radiotherapy. The purpose of this project is to use computer modelling of radiation fields in radiotherapy to investigate and improve their precision. It is expected that this will result in improved outcomes and fewer side-effects for radiotherapy patients.
Anticancer Agents from Australian Marine Biodiversity. This project aims to initiate a proof of concept research collaboration in order to detect, isolate, characterise, identify and evaluate new marine anticancer drugs. This will be achieved through screening Australian marine biodiversity for the ability to inhibit key processes in tumor cell physiology. Significant outcomes from the project will not only be targets that yield new anticancer agents, but also the participation of Australian r ....Anticancer Agents from Australian Marine Biodiversity. This project aims to initiate a proof of concept research collaboration in order to detect, isolate, characterise, identify and evaluate new marine anticancer drugs. This will be achieved through screening Australian marine biodiversity for the ability to inhibit key processes in tumor cell physiology. Significant outcomes from the project will not only be targets that yield new anticancer agents, but also the participation of Australian researchers in the environmentally sustainable exploration, discovery and development of next generation anticancer drugs from Australia's unique marine biodiversity. Read moreRead less
The development of a rapid diagnostic test for heparanase activity. Heparanase is an enzyme that has been implicated in a number of disease states such as cancer, arthritis, multiple sclerosis and other inflammatory diseases. Characterisation of this enzyme has been slow, due in part to the lack of a reliable direct activity assay. Using a multi-disciplinary approach, this project seeks to establish a rapid assay that will provide easy determination of heparanase activity. Furthermore, this a ....The development of a rapid diagnostic test for heparanase activity. Heparanase is an enzyme that has been implicated in a number of disease states such as cancer, arthritis, multiple sclerosis and other inflammatory diseases. Characterisation of this enzyme has been slow, due in part to the lack of a reliable direct activity assay. Using a multi-disciplinary approach, this project seeks to establish a rapid assay that will provide easy determination of heparanase activity. Furthermore, this assay could provide a useful diagnostic tool in a clinical environment that would allow for the rapid assessment of these diseases, their progression and indeed response to therapy.Read moreRead less
Development of Multivalent Hyaluronan Derivative Therapeutics. Over-expression of the hyaluronan receptor CD44 has been identified at pathological sites of diseases such as cancer, psoriasis, arthritis and asthma. The research described in this proposal aims to develop novel therapeutic compounds which target CD44 whilst eliciting a therapeutic index. The design of these new therapeutics is based on a template structure which incorporates known cytotoxic or anti-fungal agentsas well as hyalu ....Development of Multivalent Hyaluronan Derivative Therapeutics. Over-expression of the hyaluronan receptor CD44 has been identified at pathological sites of diseases such as cancer, psoriasis, arthritis and asthma. The research described in this proposal aims to develop novel therapeutic compounds which target CD44 whilst eliciting a therapeutic index. The design of these new therapeutics is based on a template structure which incorporates known cytotoxic or anti-fungal agentsas well as hyaluronan, a naturally occurring carbohydrate, ubiquitous in nature.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
Skeletome - A Curated Online Knowledge Base Integrating Clinical and Biological Information on Skeletal Dysplasias and Related Conditions. The skeletal dysplasia knowledge base will:
* establish Australia as a world-leader in skeletal dysplasia research;
* provide researchers with an extensible and comprehensive online knowledge-base related to skeletal dysplasias;
* enhance clinicians' understanding of the diagnosis, treatment and management of skeletal dysplasias;
* facilitate collaborativ ....Skeletome - A Curated Online Knowledge Base Integrating Clinical and Biological Information on Skeletal Dysplasias and Related Conditions. The skeletal dysplasia knowledge base will:
* establish Australia as a world-leader in skeletal dysplasia research;
* provide researchers with an extensible and comprehensive online knowledge-base related to skeletal dysplasias;
* enhance clinicians' understanding of the diagnosis, treatment and management of skeletal dysplasias;
* facilitate collaborative discussions by patients, clinicians and researchers around specific cases to improve training, management and diagnosis; and
* enhance Australia's research expertise in Semantic Web and social networking technologies.Read moreRead less