Malaria: From Target Identification And Therapeutics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,276,440.00
Summary
The team brings together a number of experts in various aspects of malaria, vaccines and drug design to develop new therapeutic approaches to control of one of the world�s major infectious diseases. Recent developments such as the complete sequence of every malaria gene provides an unparalleled opportunity to use a number of powerful new techniques in biology to identify vulnerabilities in the parasite that may be targeted. Members of the team include Professor von Itzstein who was responsible f ....The team brings together a number of experts in various aspects of malaria, vaccines and drug design to develop new therapeutic approaches to control of one of the world�s major infectious diseases. Recent developments such as the complete sequence of every malaria gene provides an unparalleled opportunity to use a number of powerful new techniques in biology to identify vulnerabilities in the parasite that may be targeted. Members of the team include Professor von Itzstein who was responsible for the design of the anti-flu drug Relenza, Professor Ross Coppel who is a pioneer in the application of molecular biology to the study of malaria, and Drs Cooke and Plebanski, exciting and talented young scientists who already have made highly significant and important contributions to our understanding of how malaria parasites function and cause disease. Success in this research program has the capacity to save millions of lives each year by preventing the deadly toll of this important human scourge.Read moreRead less
IMPROVING STROKE OUTCOMES: NEW TARGETS AND THERAPIES
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$7,212,064.00
Summary
Previously we established a unique collaboration of researchers from the basic and clinical sciences.. The main aim of this ' vertically integrated ' model was to develop new therapies to improve stroke outcomes. We developed a system to identify ' off-the-shelf ' compounds which protect the brain after stroke onset. This involves data assimilation (meta-analysis) in a unique way, an approach which has attracted attention internationally. We are also completing an important clinical trial using ....Previously we established a unique collaboration of researchers from the basic and clinical sciences.. The main aim of this ' vertically integrated ' model was to develop new therapies to improve stroke outcomes. We developed a system to identify ' off-the-shelf ' compounds which protect the brain after stroke onset. This involves data assimilation (meta-analysis) in a unique way, an approach which has attracted attention internationally. We are also completing an important clinical trial using the clot dissolving agent tPA to extend the time during which the drug may be effective beyond the three-hours currently used. In the next phase of our program we plan to expand the basic science component to identify parts of brain cells (axons and dendrites) which may yield important information about new drugs to protect the brain. We will use our novel summary data technique to test drugs in animal models more appropriate to the human stroke paradigm than have been used in the past In clinical studies we will follow our theme of identifying new targets for therapy using sophisticated PET and MRI imaging techniques, both in patients who are at great risk of stroke recurrence after a minor warning stroke and those with stroke caused by bleeding within the brain. These studies will provide information about predictors of recurrent and worsening stroke which may be modified by new therapies. The final stage in identifying new therapies is the Phase III clinical trial. We will complete one of these in which the most appropriate drug preventing further strokes in a major new stroke subtype will be identified. Toward the end of the program, we will commence phase 3 studies of drugs we have selected as being most likely to protect the brain based on our animal experiments. The main benefit of this unique collaborative research model is to efficiently identify new therapies to reduce the burden of stroke, currently the second most common cause of death globally.Read moreRead less