Novel Fluorogenic Probes For The Selective Detection Of Pathogenic Bacteria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$542,489.00
Summary
Current methods for the detection of multi-resistant organisms either require expensive instrumentation and expert analysts or are simple, but require 24-48 hours for bacterial identification. The ideal surveillance method would be cost effective, rapid, reliable, and simple to perform. This project aims to prepare a range of fluorescent substrates for incorporation into growth media which will then be evaluated for the specific identification of individual multi-resistant organisms, e.g. MRSA.
A Nanomedicine Strategy For Detecting And Modulating Protease Activity In Vivo
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$455,534.00
Summary
Protease enzymes are vitally important for normal bodily function but can play a deleterious role in many diseases such as cancer, aging diseases and eye diseases. The proposed research will provide a nanomedicine solution to the detection and therapeutic control of protease activity in vivo using nanoporous optical devices that are benign to the body. This general strategy for will be demonstrated in eyes with a view to detection and treating the eye disease uveitis.
Field-based Evaluation Of A Novel Magneto-optical Technique To Diagnose Malaria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$637,411.00
Summary
Highly sensitive and low-cost and rapid malaria diagnosis is crucial for renewed efforts to eliminate the disease. We have developed a magneto-optic technique that can diagnose the presence of malaria parasites in blood samples within minutes, with a sensitivity approaching that of high-tech molecular methods that are not applicable at point of care. Here we propose to take this method from the laboratory to clinical settings in malaria endemic countries to directly evaluate its performance.
A Novel Diagnostic Method To Determine The Likelihood Of Kidney Fibrosis And Progressive CKD In Patients With Diabetes Mellitus And Other Forms Of Chronic Proteinuric Renal Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$508,848.00
Summary
The project aims to develop a new non-invasive diagnostic method to detect patients with early CKD, a major health burden that is mainly driven by obesity and diabetes. It will specifically determine whether exfoliated tubular cells in the urine reflect kidney disease progression and hence provide a proof of concept on whether our newly developed hyperspectral technique can be used as a non-invasive diagnostic tool to identify patients with kidney disease.
Diagnosing Major Depression In Older Australian Adults: Is There Evidence For Age-related Bias?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$202,839.00
Summary
Epidemiological studies have consistently indicated that the prevalence of depression decreases with increasing age. Researchers have debated whether this finding is a real age-dependent decline or an artefact of sampling and assessment. This study seeks to use statistical methods and cognitive interviewing to investigate the potential for age-related bias in the criteria for major depression. The study will make recommendations to improve the diagnostic methods used diagnose and treat major dep ....Epidemiological studies have consistently indicated that the prevalence of depression decreases with increasing age. Researchers have debated whether this finding is a real age-dependent decline or an artefact of sampling and assessment. This study seeks to use statistical methods and cognitive interviewing to investigate the potential for age-related bias in the criteria for major depression. The study will make recommendations to improve the diagnostic methods used diagnose and treat major depression in the old age.Read moreRead less
Novel Functional Testing For Early Diabetic Retinopathy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$447,578.00
Summary
About 7.5% of Australians have diabetes and 62% of them will have signs of damage to their eyes within 6 years of diagnosis. Diabetes is 2 to 3 times more common amongst Aboriginal Australians. A group of researchers at the Australian National University are collaborating to bring a new test for the severity of diabetic eye disease to the market within 3 years. The objective is to provide doctors with a rapid, cost-effective tool to help them recognize sight-threatening damage and to assist in t ....About 7.5% of Australians have diabetes and 62% of them will have signs of damage to their eyes within 6 years of diagnosis. Diabetes is 2 to 3 times more common amongst Aboriginal Australians. A group of researchers at the Australian National University are collaborating to bring a new test for the severity of diabetic eye disease to the market within 3 years. The objective is to provide doctors with a rapid, cost-effective tool to help them recognize sight-threatening damage and to assist in treatment.Read moreRead less
DNA Barcoding Of Pathogenic Fungi As The Basis For The Development Of Novel Standardized Diagnostic Tools
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$560,398.00
Summary
Fungal infections are increasing and have major health impacts, with a high economic burden. Timely initiation of therapy is the key to improve patient outcomes. However, reliable identification tools for fungal pathogens are lacking. We will use comparative genome analysis to develop unique fungal signatures (DNA barcodes) and establish an online database to allow for rapid identification for diagnosis in the clinical setting and as a quarantine tool for border protection.
Predicting Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Using 3D Craniofacial Photography
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$424,715.00
Summary
Sleep Apnoea is a common medical condition associated with snoring and collapse of the throat during sleep. Diagnosis of sleep apnoea involves an overnight sleep study in a specialised laboratory, which is expensive and time consuming. It is possible that sleep apnea could be diagnosed from a 3-dimensional photograph of the face. This study will define the relationships between sleep apnea and 3D face photographs in 956 young adults and 1,200 of their parents, and 3,000 sleep clinic patients.
Evaluation Of Blood-based Screening Tests For Colorectal Neoplasia; From Biomarker Candidates To Accurate And Acceptable Tests
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$767,382.00
Summary
Current bowel cancer screening tests require people to collect a stool sample. While able to be done at home, this creates certain inconveniences and has other barriers to its use including being distasteful to some. Also, even though stool tests are useful they are not as accurate as we would like. We have discovered a molecule in the blood of patients with bowel cancer that could, if configured as a screening test, serve to be of even greater accuracy and also be more acceptable to people.
Bronchiectasis And Infection With The Human T-lymphotropic Virus 1 Among Indigenous Australians
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$849,674.00
Summary
The Indigenous people of Central Australia have the highest reported prevalence of bronchiectasis in the world. In a recent study, we found infection with Human T -cell Lymphotropic Virus type 1 (HTLV-1) may contribute to the devlopment of bronchiectasis. The present study seeks to confirm this association and to determine whether increased HTLV-1 activity is associated with greater risk. This will require the development of assays that will improve diagnosis and assist in determining prognosis ....The Indigenous people of Central Australia have the highest reported prevalence of bronchiectasis in the world. In a recent study, we found infection with Human T -cell Lymphotropic Virus type 1 (HTLV-1) may contribute to the devlopment of bronchiectasis. The present study seeks to confirm this association and to determine whether increased HTLV-1 activity is associated with greater risk. This will require the development of assays that will improve diagnosis and assist in determining prognosis of HTLV infection.Read moreRead less