Chemical listening devices: Novel sensors targeting the clandestine manufacture and transport of illicit drugs and explosives. There can be no doubt that protecting Australia's borders from the dual threats of terrorism and illicit drugs is of paramount importance to continuation of our well-being and way of life. Our chemical sensors are simple hand-held or remote chemical listening sensors, which will have the ability to sense the presence of characteristic chemical vapours associated with exp ....Chemical listening devices: Novel sensors targeting the clandestine manufacture and transport of illicit drugs and explosives. There can be no doubt that protecting Australia's borders from the dual threats of terrorism and illicit drugs is of paramount importance to continuation of our well-being and way of life. Our chemical sensors are simple hand-held or remote chemical listening sensors, which will have the ability to sense the presence of characteristic chemical vapours associated with explosives and illicit drugs. The simplicity and low cost of the chemical listening allows for installation at key locations -e.g. transport hubs, shipping containers, airports etc as well as placement within clandestine drug laboratories.Read moreRead less
Domino Approaches to Polycyclic Natural Products. Organic molecules are the basis of all known life forms. The majority of our medicinal agents are organic molecules. Organic molecules are made up of atoms, connected together by bonds. Usually, these molecules are constructed by making one bond at a time. We are trying to make this laborious job quicker and more efficient by forming lots of bonds at once. Research of this kind is the basis for the development of new pharmaceuticals. Australia do ....Domino Approaches to Polycyclic Natural Products. Organic molecules are the basis of all known life forms. The majority of our medicinal agents are organic molecules. Organic molecules are made up of atoms, connected together by bonds. Usually, these molecules are constructed by making one bond at a time. We are trying to make this laborious job quicker and more efficient by forming lots of bonds at once. Research of this kind is the basis for the development of new pharmaceuticals. Australia doesn't have many people who are able to do this kind of thing. We will train four to six people in this area of research.Read moreRead less
New Cascade Routes to Biologically Important Molecules. This research involves the development of short and efficient syntheses of several different classes of biologically active molecules using cascade reactions: spectacular events in which many chemical bonds are formed. Two distinct types of cascade reactions will be investigated and naturally-occurring molecules with antineoplastic, anti-immunosuppressive, antiviral and antimalarial activities will be prepared. These new, expedient routes a ....New Cascade Routes to Biologically Important Molecules. This research involves the development of short and efficient syntheses of several different classes of biologically active molecules using cascade reactions: spectacular events in which many chemical bonds are formed. Two distinct types of cascade reactions will be investigated and naturally-occurring molecules with antineoplastic, anti-immunosuppressive, antiviral and antimalarial activities will be prepared. These new, expedient routes allow the preparation of a wide range of structurally-related analogues; an important prerequisite for the preparation of libraries of compounds for biological evaluation. Along the way, important information about the chemical reactivity patterns of a newly-prepared, fundamental class of hydrocarbon molecules will be obtained.Read moreRead less
Methylation-sensitive T Cell Genes And Childhood Food Allergy.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$461,232.00
Summary
Australia has the highest reported prevalence food allergy in the world. Despite this, little is known about how allergy develops. Mounting evidence implicates environmentally induced disruption of the genetic blueprint via a process known as epigenetics. We are combining the strengths of food challenge proven food allergy with assessment of immune functioning & cutting edge genomics, to extensively characterise the pathways leading to food allergy in children.
Methylation Sensitive Genes And The Transition To Allergic Disease: A Twin Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$493,843.00
Summary
Australia has amongst the highest reported prevalence allergic conditions (including asthma) in the world. Despite this, little is known about how these conditions arise. Mounting evidence implicates environmentally induced disruption of the genetic blueprint via a process known as epigenetics. We are combining the strengths of a unique collection of identical twins where one of a pair is sensitive to house dust mite, with cutting edge genomics, to characterise the pathways leading to allergy in ....Australia has amongst the highest reported prevalence allergic conditions (including asthma) in the world. Despite this, little is known about how these conditions arise. Mounting evidence implicates environmentally induced disruption of the genetic blueprint via a process known as epigenetics. We are combining the strengths of a unique collection of identical twins where one of a pair is sensitive to house dust mite, with cutting edge genomics, to characterise the pathways leading to allergy in children.Read moreRead less
Nitroxide-containing scaffolds for controlling biofilm-related infections. Bacterial biofilms are a major problem in healthcare systems around the world as they cause persistent and chronic infections, including those associated with medical implants and cystic fibrosis. This project aims to develop new chemical approaches to deliver nitroxides at surface interfaces and in microparticles to facilitate long term control over biofilm growth. It is expected that these functionalised scaffolds will ....Nitroxide-containing scaffolds for controlling biofilm-related infections. Bacterial biofilms are a major problem in healthcare systems around the world as they cause persistent and chronic infections, including those associated with medical implants and cystic fibrosis. This project aims to develop new chemical approaches to deliver nitroxides at surface interfaces and in microparticles to facilitate long term control over biofilm growth. It is expected that these functionalised scaffolds will represent a breakthrough in the field and will have a profound impact by reducing infection rates associated with medical devices and improving airway clearance in cystic fibrosis patients.Read moreRead less
New Horizons in Diels-Alder Chemistry. Using a unique joint experimental-computational approach, we will develop reliable ways to predict the outcome of one of the most important chemical reactions. Practical applications of these new predictive tools will be developed involving powerful new versions of the reaction. Several different classes of biologically active natural products will be prepared including molecules with antitumor and antiretroviral activities. Libraries of structurally-relate ....New Horizons in Diels-Alder Chemistry. Using a unique joint experimental-computational approach, we will develop reliable ways to predict the outcome of one of the most important chemical reactions. Practical applications of these new predictive tools will be developed involving powerful new versions of the reaction. Several different classes of biologically active natural products will be prepared including molecules with antitumor and antiretroviral activities. Libraries of structurally-related analogues of natural compounds will be synthesised for biological evaluation.Read moreRead less
Experimental and Computational Investigations into Enantioselective Domino Sequences. This research program aims to develop more efficient methods for the chemical synthesis of organic substances: the materials that make up all known life forms, our medicines, and many designed materials. This research involves primarily the invention of new, enabling science. Specifically, we are trying to develop new and very general strategies to make organic compounds selectively and more efficiently than be ....Experimental and Computational Investigations into Enantioselective Domino Sequences. This research program aims to develop more efficient methods for the chemical synthesis of organic substances: the materials that make up all known life forms, our medicines, and many designed materials. This research involves primarily the invention of new, enabling science. Specifically, we are trying to develop new and very general strategies to make organic compounds selectively and more efficiently than before. A more efficient chemical synthesis means less waste, lower energy consumption and less environmental impact. Research of this kind is absolutely essential for the development of new medicines and materials. Australia lags behind many of the world's developed countries in this very important area of endeavour.Read moreRead less
Experimental-Computational Investigations into Diels-Alder Sequences. Organic molecules are an integral part of our world - in us, around us and, importantly, in our medicines. Chemists design experiments to make specific molecules by mixing the appropriate chemicals. Often, however, the outcome can't be predicted. We are developing ways to accurately predict these outcomes using computer modelling of chemical reactions. This will allow us to better understand reactions and make molecules more e ....Experimental-Computational Investigations into Diels-Alder Sequences. Organic molecules are an integral part of our world - in us, around us and, importantly, in our medicines. Chemists design experiments to make specific molecules by mixing the appropriate chemicals. Often, however, the outcome can't be predicted. We are developing ways to accurately predict these outcomes using computer modelling of chemical reactions. This will allow us to better understand reactions and make molecules more efficiently. Such research is the basis for the development of new pharmaceuticals. Few people in Australia are working in this area and we expect to train four to six people during the course of this project.Read moreRead less
Early Nutrition, Epigenetics And Developmental Outcomes In Children.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$550,093.00
Summary
Increasing evidence demonstrates that early nutrition, including in pregnancy, has long lasting programming effects on later health of children. Evidence implicates epigenetics (literally ‘above DNA’) in mediating these effects. The most convincing data exists for obesity and related disorders such as metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and heart disease. The focus of this project is on understanding how ‘epigenetic’ mechanisms are influencing the way our genes function to cause these disorders.