Interactions of Insulin-like Growth Factors and their Binding Proteins with Vitronectin: a structural basis for antagonist design and development. Tissue Therapies Ltd has shown that a patented combination of three biosynthetic molecules, VitroGroR, can promote tissue repair effectively. This project will use biophysical and biochemical techniques to investigate precisely how these molecules interact, and hence provide a rational basis for future developments and improvements of this exciting n ....Interactions of Insulin-like Growth Factors and their Binding Proteins with Vitronectin: a structural basis for antagonist design and development. Tissue Therapies Ltd has shown that a patented combination of three biosynthetic molecules, VitroGroR, can promote tissue repair effectively. This project will use biophysical and biochemical techniques to investigate precisely how these molecules interact, and hence provide a rational basis for future developments and improvements of this exciting new therapeutic strategy.
Conversely, this information would also facilitate the development of antagonists to VitroGroR complexes would provide novel opportunities to treat diseases such as cancer and atherosclerosis that involve excessive production of its component molecules.Read moreRead less
Identifying the specific structural features of metallothionein that regulate its ability to modulate astrogliosis. This project contributes directly to the Designated National Research Priority 2 and could potentially have a significant impact upon the broader Australian Community by identifying a novel and powerful therapeutic agent based upon metallothionein proteins with the ultimate aim of helping patients who have a brain injury or a neurodegenerative disease. It is important to note that ....Identifying the specific structural features of metallothionein that regulate its ability to modulate astrogliosis. This project contributes directly to the Designated National Research Priority 2 and could potentially have a significant impact upon the broader Australian Community by identifying a novel and powerful therapeutic agent based upon metallothionein proteins with the ultimate aim of helping patients who have a brain injury or a neurodegenerative disease. It is important to note that the partnership between UTAS and Bestenbalt LLC is a critical step in the development of these exciting research discoveries into commercially viable outcomes for the Australian Biotechnology Industry and the broader Australian community.Read moreRead less
Genetic manipulation of Clostridium sporogenes. The overall objective of this project is to develop genetic methods for the manipulation of the anaerobic bacterium Clostridium sporogenes. Specifically, the project aims to manipulate this microorganism so that genes encoding enzymes that convert prodrugs to anticancer drugs can be introduced and stably maintained on its chromosome. The significance of the project is that the resultant bacteria, and others constructed using these methods, will th ....Genetic manipulation of Clostridium sporogenes. The overall objective of this project is to develop genetic methods for the manipulation of the anaerobic bacterium Clostridium sporogenes. Specifically, the project aims to manipulate this microorganism so that genes encoding enzymes that convert prodrugs to anticancer drugs can be introduced and stably maintained on its chromosome. The significance of the project is that the resultant bacteria, and others constructed using these methods, will then be able to be tested for their ability to act as specific drug delivery systems for use in the treatment of solid tumours.Read moreRead less
Computer simulation techniques to reduce the incidence of femoral fracture after hip replacement surgery. Australia's ageing population is driving an increase of 5% to 10% a year in the number of primary total hip replacements. We will move beyond conventional surgical techniques, to deliver the science for an accurate, reliable computer-based system that is significantly more accurate and reliable. Optimising implant selection criteria to better match patients' activity levels and bone physiolo ....Computer simulation techniques to reduce the incidence of femoral fracture after hip replacement surgery. Australia's ageing population is driving an increase of 5% to 10% a year in the number of primary total hip replacements. We will move beyond conventional surgical techniques, to deliver the science for an accurate, reliable computer-based system that is significantly more accurate and reliable. Optimising implant selection criteria to better match patients' activity levels and bone physiology and minimise revision rates; this has major implications for the national health budget and patients' quality of life. Our advances will allow the implementation of improved surgical techniques that minimise the risk of implant related bone failure.Read moreRead less
Developing innovative contact lens designs and materials for effective and safe corneal refractive reshaping. Despite the increasing prevalence of refractive errors, there are limited options available for refractive error correction. Current contact lens designs for orthokeratology, a corneal reshaping technique which temporarily reduces refractive error, are effective for correcting only low to moderate myopia (short-sightedness). In this project, we will use innovative lens design approache ....Developing innovative contact lens designs and materials for effective and safe corneal refractive reshaping. Despite the increasing prevalence of refractive errors, there are limited options available for refractive error correction. Current contact lens designs for orthokeratology, a corneal reshaping technique which temporarily reduces refractive error, are effective for correcting only low to moderate myopia (short-sightedness). In this project, we will use innovative lens design approaches that harness the fluid forces generated in the post-lens tear film, and modulation of the corneal tissue response to these pressures, to develop novel contact lens designs in appropriate lens materials for effective and safe corneal reshaping to correct a wide range of refractive errors.Read moreRead less
The future of corneal refractive reshaping: can we control myopia or is the risk of corneal compromise too great? Refinement of corneal reshaping lens designs, optimised for visual outcomes through manipulation of aberrations, will significantly benefit local contact lens manufacturing and export by expanding the existing market base. This research will also strategically position Australian lens manufacturing to capitalise on the market for myopia-control contact lenses, particularly in the As ....The future of corneal refractive reshaping: can we control myopia or is the risk of corneal compromise too great? Refinement of corneal reshaping lens designs, optimised for visual outcomes through manipulation of aberrations, will significantly benefit local contact lens manufacturing and export by expanding the existing market base. This research will also strategically position Australian lens manufacturing to capitalise on the market for myopia-control contact lenses, particularly in the Asian region. Significant intellectual property will be generated for Australia in terms of enhanced understanding of the role of manipulation of corneal shape in modulating progressive myopia. Outcomes from this project will enhance the international reputation of the UNSW research group, keeping Australian science at the forefront of this area of research.Read moreRead less
New modulators of voltage-gated sodium channel subtypes from Australian Tarantula venoms. The venoms of Australian tarantula spiders provide a unique and untapped source of bioactive molecules. From a large stock of venom, and in collaboration with Australian pharmaceutical company Xenome, we will develop a comprehensive library of venom components suitable for drug screening. Potential national benefits from this work include a huge reduction in the healthcare bill deriving from a new treatmen ....New modulators of voltage-gated sodium channel subtypes from Australian Tarantula venoms. The venoms of Australian tarantula spiders provide a unique and untapped source of bioactive molecules. From a large stock of venom, and in collaboration with Australian pharmaceutical company Xenome, we will develop a comprehensive library of venom components suitable for drug screening. Potential national benefits from this work include a huge reduction in the healthcare bill deriving from a new treatment for pain, as well as substantial royalty returns from drugs sales. Discoveries from the program are also likely to lead to an enhancement in Australia's reputation in the neurosciences and to the development of new diagnostic research tools. The major community benefit will be a reduction in the suffering of chronic pain patients.Read moreRead less
Harnessing contact lens design to optimise optics and vision through corneal refractive reshaping. Development of innovative OK lens designs to correct presbyopia and astigmatism, optimised for visual performance through manipulation of optical aberrations, will place Australian rigid contact lens manufacturing at the international forefront of OK lens production. Lens designs to control myopia progression will strategically position Australian lens manufacturing to capitalise on the potential m ....Harnessing contact lens design to optimise optics and vision through corneal refractive reshaping. Development of innovative OK lens designs to correct presbyopia and astigmatism, optimised for visual performance through manipulation of optical aberrations, will place Australian rigid contact lens manufacturing at the international forefront of OK lens production. Lens designs to control myopia progression will strategically position Australian lens manufacturing to capitalise on the potential market in Asia, where myopia is prevalent. Significant intellectual property will be generated for Australia through greater understanding of OK lens design manipulation to optimise visual outcomes. This project promises to enhance the international reputation of UNSW researchers, keeping Australian science at the forefront of this research area.Read moreRead less
Proteomic analysis of central nervous system inflammation in multiple sclerosis. This project aims to identify new therapeutic targets and diagnostics for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) the most common neurological disease in young adults. The estimated economic burden of this disease in Australia is around $2 billion per annum. There is also a large social cost to take into account. In spite of a great deal of research, current therapies are limited. We expect that this this research will: lead to n ....Proteomic analysis of central nervous system inflammation in multiple sclerosis. This project aims to identify new therapeutic targets and diagnostics for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) the most common neurological disease in young adults. The estimated economic burden of this disease in Australia is around $2 billion per annum. There is also a large social cost to take into account. In spite of a great deal of research, current therapies are limited. We expect that this this research will: lead to new therapies and better diagnostics, which will reduce the financial and human cost of this disease; generate IP with subsequent economic benefits and; expand proteomics technologies which will have flow on effects including economic benefits and benefits to a wide range of basic research. Read moreRead less
Structural studies on carbohydrate modifying enzymes. Carbohydrates form one of four major classes of biological macromolecules, and are major targets for drug design. We have developed methods for the production of carbohydrate synthesising enzymes and will determine the structures of these enzymes to provide the foundation for structure based design of inhibitors. The research will allow us to understand how these enzymes function in normal circumstances and how they malfunction in disease sta ....Structural studies on carbohydrate modifying enzymes. Carbohydrates form one of four major classes of biological macromolecules, and are major targets for drug design. We have developed methods for the production of carbohydrate synthesising enzymes and will determine the structures of these enzymes to provide the foundation for structure based design of inhibitors. The research will allow us to understand how these enzymes function in normal circumstances and how they malfunction in disease states such as cancer. The long-term outcome will be a significantly enhanced body of knowledge of this poorly understood group of enzymes and the development of new carbohydrate based chemicals with novel therapeutic applications.Read moreRead less