Beyond The Connectome: Modelling Large-scale Brain Dynamics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,847.00
Summary
Several very large international efforts are currently under way that aim to map brain anatomy and activity in unprecedented detail across the lifespan. But our understanding of how complex brain activity emerges from the anatomy has lagged far behind. We will address this problem using a novel combination of state-of-the-art structural connectivity data, cutting-edge modelling, and ultrafast high-resolution recordings of brain activity.
Selective Targeting Of Microbes By Peptides Of The Innate Immune System.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$626,644.00
Summary
Cytolytic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are key components of the innate immune system of many organisms including man. They act by disrupting the outer membranes of bacteria, fungi and enveloped viruses. These simple peptides are highly specific and increasingly seen as a new source of antibiotic agents capable of combating the rising resistance to current drugs. Our aim is to determine the mechanism by which cytolytic AMPs act and to understand the factors that give rise to membrane and cell s ....Cytolytic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are key components of the innate immune system of many organisms including man. They act by disrupting the outer membranes of bacteria, fungi and enveloped viruses. These simple peptides are highly specific and increasingly seen as a new source of antibiotic agents capable of combating the rising resistance to current drugs. Our aim is to determine the mechanism by which cytolytic AMPs act and to understand the factors that give rise to membrane and cell specificity.Read moreRead less
Improving Global Tuberculosis Control With The AuTuMN Platform
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$655,059.00
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) is the world’s leading infectious killer, with the failure of global control responsible for the vast majority of Australia’s cases. Using our robustly developed software platform, we have performed several country-level studies to predict the future burden of disease and compare the impact of alternative responses to controlling the epidemic. In this project, we will extend our platform to perform simulations at the global level and answer key questions in TB control.
Neural Computations For Predictive Coding In Visual Cortex
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$479,832.00
Summary
The project aims to use the principle of "predictive coding" - a theory that promises to be a unified theory of the brain - to understand how the visual cortex makes predictions about future events, at cellular level. This basic knowledge will not only shed light on how the cerebral cortex functions at the cellular level, but may also clarify the neuronal basis of mental conditions such as schizophrenia and autism.
Containment Potential And Risk Of Spread Of Artemisinin Resistant Plasmodium Falciparum
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$381,762.00
Summary
Significant gains have been made in the past decade in reducing falciparum malaria morbidity and mortality using artemisinin-base combination therapy (ACT) and insecticidal nets. However the recent emergence of artemisinin resistance threatens these achievements. This project will develop and use a mathematical model of malaria transmission incorporating resistance to the drugs in ACTs to investigate the probability and rate of spread of resistance into new areas endemic for malaria.
Human Olfactory Neurosphere-derived Cells: A Novel Cellular Model For Parkinson's Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$365,126.00
Summary
ParkinsonÍs disease (PD) is an incurable, brain disease that affects 75,000 Australians with great societal cost. We are working on adult stem cells called (hONS) grown from peopleÍs olfactory mucosa (in the nose) as a research tool to study PD. Our project examines differences seen in hONS from people with PD and determines how certain cellular processes impact on the function of these cells. This work will enhance our understanding of the biology of PD and identify new targets for therapies.
Our overall objective is to significantly improve the efficacy and efficiency of image-guided neurosurgery for brain tumours by including realistic computation of brain deformations, based on a biomechanical model, in a system to improve intra-operative visualisation, navigation and monitoring. The system will create an augmented reality visualisation of the intra-operative configuration of the patient’s brain merged with high resolution pre-operative imaging data.
Using An Established Simulation Model To Determine Effective And Cost-effective Interventions To Mitigate Influenza Pandemics And Inform Public Health Policy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$416,353.00
Summary
A novel disease spread and economic model is used to determine the cost-effectiveness of a range of mitigation strategies aimed at a future influenza pandemic. A simulation model generates data on which individuals become ill, morbidity and mortality characteristics, an economic costing model determines optimal interventions.
AusGo-SHEMO….Let’s Go! Australian Gold Standard Health Economics Model Of Osteoporosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$378,959.00
Summary
We will develop an unbiased, gold standard, validated, transparent health economics model of osteoporosis to identify cost-effective screening and treatment strategies, and that will be made widely available to all stakeholders. Without this model, scarce health care resources may be squandered on osteoporosis screening strategies and osteoporosis-related fracture prevention medications that are not cost-effective. Worse, patient access to cost-effective medications may be delayed.
Dynamic Action Potential Clamp Studies Of Drugs That Affect The Cardiac Action Potential
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$343,976.00
Summary
The development of drugs to treat and.or prevent cardiac arrhythmias have been plagued by the side-effect of actually increasing the risk of sudden death. One of the reasons for this is that drugs that work well in one part of the heart may cause problems in another part. We are developing a system called “dynamic action potential clamp” that will make it easier for researchers to assess the effect of drugs in different regions of both normal and diseased hearts.