Maintenance And Operation Of The Australian Seafood Extension And Advisory Service (AUSEAS)
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$310,872.22
Summary
Objectives: 1. To provide the post-harvest sector of the Australian seafood industry with technical information and advice that is timely, accurate and relevant. 2. To proactively promulgate the results of research to companies that are well placed to use them. 3. To identify areas where research is needed and the institutes where the work can be done. 4. To promote networking between companies in the post-harvest area by personal contact and publications. 5. To provi ....Objectives: 1. To provide the post-harvest sector of the Australian seafood industry with technical information and advice that is timely, accurate and relevant. 2. To proactively promulgate the results of research to companies that are well placed to use them. 3. To identify areas where research is needed and the institutes where the work can be done. 4. To promote networking between companies in the post-harvest area by personal contact and publications. 5. To provide sales support for selected publications and database maintenance. These include directories, research reports and the FishMAD service, disseminating the results of the national seafood consumption study. 6. Publication of second edition of Australian Seafood Industry Directory 1997-99. Read moreRead less
Interdisciplinary Insights Into The Rational Design Of Malaria Therapy And Vaccines
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Malaria is a global health concern with almost half a million deaths annually. There is an urgent need for a highly effective malaria vaccine and new antimalarials. However, despite decades of research into this pathogen, our understanding of what causes illness in a person and how immunity operates is limited. This project will use a mathematical modelling approach to provide a new way to understand infection, as a rapidly changing and intricate process.
Extension Of MSC Certification For Western Australian Fisheries
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$686,000.00
Summary
The FRDC, WAFIC and MSC have undertaken public perception studies on the support of fishing activities that have shown that the industry has a very low level of support. The Australian public simply does not believe the message given to it by industry and Government. Western Australia has recognised that the very survival of wild-harvest fisheries depends on a paradigm shift in this negative perception and only a credible, internationally recognised, third-party certification of the State's fi ....The FRDC, WAFIC and MSC have undertaken public perception studies on the support of fishing activities that have shown that the industry has a very low level of support. The Australian public simply does not believe the message given to it by industry and Government. Western Australia has recognised that the very survival of wild-harvest fisheries depends on a paradigm shift in this negative perception and only a credible, internationally recognised, third-party certification of the State's fisheries will alter the perception and provide industry with the level of security to invest in its future. The $14.56 million earmarked for third party certification will be split as following: $6.56 million for MSC pre-assessment, full assessment and initial audit and; $2 million per year over 4 years ($8 million) to support Department of Fisheries research and management inputs to the certification process. If the benefits of this investment are to be fully realised for the State and the industry there must be investment in community and industry engagement, and engagement with the post-harvest sector through to the retail and food service. Without such engagement the benefits of certification will not be fully captured. This will require research and testing of cost effective mechanisms to effectively engage. The project builds on the substantial investment by the FRDC in research for Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management. The project will also link with other FRDC activities nationally like the Key Stock Status Report and the trial of the NSW Responsible Fisheries Management Certification project. The whole program of activities in WA that include: A new fisheries Act; MSC certification; and support for FRDC’s marketing function are singularly the largest changes being implemented by a fisheries jurisdiction to improve the future outlook for both capture fisheries and aquaculture. Objectives: 1. To develop and assess communication strategies on how best to obtain commercial fishers support for implementation of third party certification in their fisheries, with the focus being on Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification 2. To assess options for promoting MSC to obtain public confidence in the management of WA fisheries 3. To assess different evaluation methodologies for third party certification that are cost effective and improve the delivery of the program for both fishers and the community 4. Develop and trial a practical framework that would deliver a more cost efficient way for a range of smaller, independent, companies in the supply chain to gain MSC Chain of Custody to optimize community recognition and appreciation of Australian MSC certified seafood 5. To work with stakeholders (retail, fisheries management and environmental agencies) to establish where possible equivalence for the third party certification framework that is being developed for WA fisheries Read moreRead less
Making The Most Of The Catch: A Forum For Industry
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$24,000.00
Summary
Objectives: 1. To provide forum for the sharing of critical information between the Australian seafood industry, government and post-harvest seafood researchers. 2. To demonstrate and promote the applications of recent seafood research in Australia 3. To encourage world's best practice in Australian seafood industry 4. To complement and bring an Asia-Pacific context outlook to the imminent Second World Fisheries Congress to be held 28 July to 2 August (most fish technology ....Objectives: 1. To provide forum for the sharing of critical information between the Australian seafood industry, government and post-harvest seafood researchers. 2. To demonstrate and promote the applications of recent seafood research in Australia 3. To encourage world's best practice in Australian seafood industry 4. To complement and bring an Asia-Pacific context outlook to the imminent Second World Fisheries Congress to be held 28 July to 2 August (most fish technology conferences traditionally have a Eurocentric or Western focus). Read moreRead less
Prevalence And Characterisation Of FMR1 Gene's Premutation Carriers Amongst Older Males Presenting With Tremor/ataxia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$199,450.00
Summary
The study concerns a novel form of progressive neurological disorder associated with tremor and body imbalance occurring in older males and caused by a small expansion of the trinucleotide (CGG) repeat in a fragile X (FMR1) gene. This expansion is termed 'premutation', in contrast with the full mutation, where a large expansion of the CGG repeat in this gene causes Fragile X Syndrome, a common form of intellectual disability. While brain anomaly in the full mutation is caused by a deficit of the ....The study concerns a novel form of progressive neurological disorder associated with tremor and body imbalance occurring in older males and caused by a small expansion of the trinucleotide (CGG) repeat in a fragile X (FMR1) gene. This expansion is termed 'premutation', in contrast with the full mutation, where a large expansion of the CGG repeat in this gene causes Fragile X Syndrome, a common form of intellectual disability. While brain anomaly in the full mutation is caused by a deficit of the FMR1 specific protein product (FMRP), the pathways from premutation to a neurological disorder are unknown. In this disorder, neurological dysfunction is associated with brain atrophy visible in magnetic resonance (MRI) images. Molecular studies showed increased levels of 'messenger' RNA (mRNA), which indicates overexpression of FMR1 gene . Our own study showed significantly increased (41.7%) prevalence of neurological involvement in male premutation carriers aged >50, compared with age-matched norms. Moreover, a screening of patients with two neurological disorders associated with tremor showed a significant increase of premutation carriers (5%- 22%). The aim of this study is to test hypotheses about the association of late-onset neurological disorders of unknown cause presenting tremor and imbalance, with a fragile X premutation in males, by screening for the presence of this premutation; and then conducting a full assessment of the identified premutation carriers, including detailed neurological, neuropsychological and MRI tests, to establish the spectrum of neurological involvement. This involvement will be correlated with the molecular (DNA, mRNA, FMRP) findings. The results will contribute to understanding the mechanisms of neurological involvement caused by this premutation. Moreover, estimation of the prevalence of this premutation in relevant neurological disorders will impact on standard diagnostic, and possibly future treatment approaches in neurology clinics.Read moreRead less
Dominant Repeat Expansion Diseases - A Common RNA Mediated Pathogenic Pathway?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$281,118.00
Summary
There are fourteen human genetic diseases that are caused by a similar mutation mechanism and have similar clinical outcomes - the loss of function, degeneration and eventual death of nerve cells. This group of diseases includes Huntington's Disease. They are transmitted from parent to offspring such that each child of an affected parent has 50% risk of inheriting the affected gene and therefore developing the disease. The symptoms of these diseases typically develop later in life - between the ....There are fourteen human genetic diseases that are caused by a similar mutation mechanism and have similar clinical outcomes - the loss of function, degeneration and eventual death of nerve cells. This group of diseases includes Huntington's Disease. They are transmitted from parent to offspring such that each child of an affected parent has 50% risk of inheriting the affected gene and therefore developing the disease. The symptoms of these diseases typically develop later in life - between the ages of 35 and 50 years. While the different genes for these diseases have been identified the pathways that lead from their similar form of mutation to their similar clinical outcomes are not yet understood. Some evidence suggests that certain of these diseases have a common toxic component but this component is not shared by all of the disease genes and so an additional agent that they have in common is being sought. This research will use a genetic model organism - the vinegar fly, Drosophila melanogaster, to test the identity of a good candidate (RNA) for a common toxic agent and to provide information about the pathway by which RNA leads to nerve cell degeneration and death. Accurate and complete knowledge of the identity and composition of the pathways that lead from the mutation to the disease are crucial for correct target identification in the development of drug leads.Read moreRead less