Identification of nuclear reprogramming factors in oocyte cytoplasm. The mature oocyte contains dominant factors that are capable of erasing tissue specific gene expression profiles of somatic cells. These reprogramming factors would be valuable for dedifferentiation of cells and for nuclear transfer in animal cloning. The research involves determination of reprogramming factors present in active cytoplasm following enucleation of the germinal vesicle, blockage of transcription and translation, ....Identification of nuclear reprogramming factors in oocyte cytoplasm. The mature oocyte contains dominant factors that are capable of erasing tissue specific gene expression profiles of somatic cells. These reprogramming factors would be valuable for dedifferentiation of cells and for nuclear transfer in animal cloning. The research involves determination of reprogramming factors present in active cytoplasm following enucleation of the germinal vesicle, blockage of transcription and translation, and timed cultures. The assays will involve maintenance of reprogramming ability and erasure of somatic gene transcription. By subtractive elimination the function of isolated proteins which are involved in reprogramming will be identified for potential recombinant production.Read moreRead less
Identification of the targets of a novel metalloproteinase inhibitor used for the treatment of human head lice. Human head lice are difficult to control. This project examines a new type of ovicidal treatment that prevents louse eggs from hatching. The goal is to understand precisely how this treatment is ovicidal, so that even more effective products might be designed. Beyond the benefits of providing a safe and reliable treatment option for a troublesome pest, the development of this product ....Identification of the targets of a novel metalloproteinase inhibitor used for the treatment of human head lice. Human head lice are difficult to control. This project examines a new type of ovicidal treatment that prevents louse eggs from hatching. The goal is to understand precisely how this treatment is ovicidal, so that even more effective products might be designed. Beyond the benefits of providing a safe and reliable treatment option for a troublesome pest, the development of this product will be a significant step forward for the Australian pharmaceutical industry.Read moreRead less
The Production of Respiratory Cell Lineages from Human Embryonic Stem Cells: Towards a Cell Replacement Therapy for the Treatment of Respiratory Specific Deficits. Embryonic stem (ES) cells are a primitive embryonic cell type that can be maintained and grown in vitro. Mouse ES cells can be instructed to develop into a wide range of specific adult cell types. Research into human ES cells has more recently commenced and has already resulted in the controlled production of specific nerve cells by o ....The Production of Respiratory Cell Lineages from Human Embryonic Stem Cells: Towards a Cell Replacement Therapy for the Treatment of Respiratory Specific Deficits. Embryonic stem (ES) cells are a primitive embryonic cell type that can be maintained and grown in vitro. Mouse ES cells can be instructed to develop into a wide range of specific adult cell types. Research into human ES cells has more recently commenced and has already resulted in the controlled production of specific nerve cells by our group. The following project aims to create respiratory lineages from both mouse and human ES cells. Such an undertaking thus aims to provide a basis for the treatment of respiratory specific diseases such as cystic fibrosis and emphysema.Read moreRead less
Toward novel approaches for the control of parasitic nematodes via genomics/phenomics. The control of economically important parasitic worms of livestock relies heavily on the use of chemical compounds (anthelmintics). Their excessive and uncontrolled use has led to serious anthelmintic resistance problems in parasites, so that many treatments are no longer effective, and also to residue problems in meat, milk and the environment. We will use 'cutting edge' technologies to provide unique insight ....Toward novel approaches for the control of parasitic nematodes via genomics/phenomics. The control of economically important parasitic worms of livestock relies heavily on the use of chemical compounds (anthelmintics). Their excessive and uncontrolled use has led to serious anthelmintic resistance problems in parasites, so that many treatments are no longer effective, and also to residue problems in meat, milk and the environment. We will use 'cutting edge' technologies to provide unique insights into the molecular processes of parasite growth and reproduction, to develop safe and sustainable intervention strategies for parasites. The project will provide a unique technology platform and a skills base in parasite genomics and will generate significant intellectual property.Read moreRead less
Cellular genomic approach to the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. This project compares the levels of gene usage in two important immune cell types between patients with multiple sclerosis and people who do not have the disease. It aims to identify the molecular basis for the disease, in order to identify new diagnostic, preventative and treatment options.
Investigating the effectiveness of teacher education for early career teachers in diverse settings: a longitudinal study. This project investigates the effectiveness of teacher education programs in Victoria and Queensland in preparing teachers for the variety of school settings in which they begin their careers. The findings will inform state and national policy, as well as the work of professional regulation authorities and teacher education providers.
Intercultural understanding in primary and secondary schools. What facilitates or impedes intercultural understanding in children, adolescents and schools? How can this be addressed? How can we know what makes a difference? This project answers these questions at the individual, school and national level using a novel cultural systems approach and methodological and technological innovations.
Would more highly-qualified teachers and trainers help to address quality problems in the Australian vocational education and training system? This project examines whether and how higher-level qualifications for vocational education and training (VET) teachers would improve quality in the VET system. Government documents and public commentary indicate that the VET sector suffers from some fairly serious quality problems. This is significant because VET provides training that underpins all Austr ....Would more highly-qualified teachers and trainers help to address quality problems in the Australian vocational education and training system? This project examines whether and how higher-level qualifications for vocational education and training (VET) teachers would improve quality in the VET system. Government documents and public commentary indicate that the VET sector suffers from some fairly serious quality problems. This is significant because VET provides training that underpins all Australian industries. Most VET teachers are qualified only to a Certificate IV level. A more highly qualified VET teaching workforce is likely to lead to improvements in quality; however there is currently no firm evidence to establish this link, as the 2011 Productivity Commission report on the VET workforce pointed out. This project aims to provide much-needed evidence to guide policy.Read moreRead less
Supporting pacific development. The research looks at the extent to which twenty-two of the world's richest countries support development in the Pacific Islands region through their efforts with respect to aid, trade, migration, private investment, security, technology and environmental sustainability. It will develop an index that will rank these countries on the basis of these efforts.
Targeted mining for new drugs against parasitic nematodes of animals - a synergy of integrated, frontier technologies and a committed partnership with industry. This project will: develop a quality scientific and technological program in national priority areas, leading to a strong basic research, new concepts and the enhanced international collaborative links; strengthen links between basic and applied research, and academia and industry; develop excellence via pan-Australian collaborations, re ....Targeted mining for new drugs against parasitic nematodes of animals - a synergy of integrated, frontier technologies and a committed partnership with industry. This project will: develop a quality scientific and technological program in national priority areas, leading to a strong basic research, new concepts and the enhanced international collaborative links; strengthen links between basic and applied research, and academia and industry; develop excellence via pan-Australian collaborations, resulting in a more efficient use of resources in a national and international context; enhance the skills-base in biology, biotechnology and bioinformatics; increase global visibility with increased investment in Australian science; improved animal welfare and production via better control of infectious diseases; commercial products with benefits to agricultural producers in regional and rural communities.Read moreRead less