Potent Antibiotics Against Drug-resistant Tuberculosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$531,410.00
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) is a significant killer and caused 1.7 million deaths in 2009. The disease affects all countries, including Australia, in which the incidence in the indigenous population is 14 times higher than that in the non-indigenous population. We will develop a new anti-TB drug that can replace or enhance the current drugs that are not effective against drug resistant TB.
Novel Octapeptin Antibiotics Targeting Extremely Drug Resistant 'superbugs'
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$946,024.00
Summary
The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified antimicrobial resistance as one of the three greatest threats to human health. Many clinicians worldwide have already been confronted with the reality of infections caused by extremely drug resistant (XDR) bacterial 'superbugs' resistant to all available antibiotics. This project aims to develop safe and efficacious octapeptin antibiotics for the treatment of life-threatening infections caused by problematic XDR ‘superbugs'.
The Hunt For New-generation Lipopeptide Antibiotics Targeting Gram-negative ‘Superbugs’
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$473,477.00
Summary
The dry antibiotic discovery and development pipeline, together with the increasing incidence of bacterial resistance in the clinic has been dubbed ‘the perfect storm’. This project involves the design, synthesis and preclinical evaluation of a new generation of polymyxin-like lipopeptides that have low nephrotoxicity and specifically target polymyxin-resistant Gram-negative ‘superbugs’.
Development Of New Antibacterial Peptoids To Combat Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$181,500.00
Summary
The recent emergence of super bug bacterial strains has posed a situation where infections can not be treated. This health problem is growing rapidly with the spread of the resistant bacteria. This proposal intends to develop some of our designed anti-bacterial drugs to the point where they may be incorporated into mass clinical trials. A successful result will yield both a new antibiotic as well as an antibiotic to treat the super bugs.
New drugs for cancer therapy that overcome resistance to standard chemotherapeutics and stop the spread of cancer are essential to develop. My preliminary studies discovered a strategy to increase the activity and delivery of our novel compounds to enhance the killing of cancer cells. I will design innovative agents in an effort to provide more effective therapeutics with fewer side effects to reduce the pain of cancer patients undertaking chemotherapy who are in the battle of their lives.
Australian Centre For Cannabinoid Clinical And Research Excellence (ACRE): Quality And Safety In The Implementation Of Medicinal Cannabis Use In The Community
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,498,471.00
Summary
Australia has a world-first opportunity to develop rigorous medical cannabis research based on quality clinical and environmental science that tests and selects cannabis constituents affecting health and sickness. It will be able to design and coordinate dose and formulation-finding studies to assess safety and efficacy of different cannabinoids. This information will enable registration of products for health that have been thoroughly researched and tested to levels acceptable for public use.
Advanced Imaging To Define Hepatic & Intestinal Drug Disposition In Aging & Liver Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$762,123.00
Summary
Aged people and liver disease patients have impaired drug absorption and elimination functions. Their response to drugs varies widely when given drug dosage regimens recommended for normal patients. This project will explore the possibility of using in vivo imaging techniques to define the gut and liver function and their response to administered drugs. This grant will help the selection of appropriate drugs and doses for aged people and patients with liver diseases, i.e. personalised medicine.
Influence Of Skin Cancer On Topical Elongate Microparticle Drug Delivery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$560,589.00
Summary
This project builds on a novel cutaneous delivery method using ‘rod-shaped’ microparticles we developed in the Dermatology Research Centre. Microparticle administration results in multiple punctures of the skin’s tough outer layers, increasing permeability. Furthermore, microparticle administration results in a uniform and continuous drug delivery profile within the treatment area, which is an important attribute for the treatment of skin diseases.
Centre For REdefining Antibiotic Use To ReDUce ResistanCE And Prolong The Lives Of Antibiotics (REDUCE)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,158,296.00
Summary
Ineffective dosing of antimicrobials has contributed to the escalation of antimicrobial resistance which now pervades the healthcare system. Patients in the intensive care unit and post-transplant are examples of patients who commonly have infections, are more likely to fail treatment and have resistant microbes emerge. In these studies we will characterise the doses of antimicrobials that should be used in these difficult-to-treat patients and rapidly share these for routine clinical use.