Mechanisms Of Oxidised Protein Accumulation In Ageing Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$429,000.00
Summary
Australia has one of the world's most rapidly ageing populations. It is estimated that in 30 years time over 30% of the population will be over 65; many will suffer from a debilitating, age-related disease. The diseases of ageing represent one of the major health challenges this century. Despite their increasing incidence, our understanding of the underlying causes is limited. A common feature is the accumulation of damaged proteins in cells and tissues. Damaged proteins are usually broken down ....Australia has one of the world's most rapidly ageing populations. It is estimated that in 30 years time over 30% of the population will be over 65; many will suffer from a debilitating, age-related disease. The diseases of ageing represent one of the major health challenges this century. Despite their increasing incidence, our understanding of the underlying causes is limited. A common feature is the accumulation of damaged proteins in cells and tissues. Damaged proteins are usually broken down by the cells and replaced, but in many age-related diseases this process fails. The most common source of protein damage is attack by oxygen-derived free radicals. These are by-products of our body's need for oxygen and can originate from atmospheric pollutants. Oxygen rusts metal, makes fat go rancid and can cause irreparable damage to proteins and other biological molecules. Free radical damage contributes to the development of many age-related diseases such as atherosclerosis and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. The accumulation of damaged proteins can cause cell death. Our knowledge of the mechanisms by which cells remove proteins damaged by oxygen and the reasons for their accumulation is limited. In this project we will use a novel technique we have developed to generate oxidised proteins in ageing cells. We will identify cellular mechanisms required for the efficient removal of damaged proteins and those mechanisms which fail in ageing cells. We will focus on a group of proteins which protect damaged proteins from aggregating and accumulating and we will examine how we can prevent the accumulation of oxidised proteins by stimulating the body s defence mechanisms. Since the population of Australia is ageing, diseases of ageing are going to consume an increasing amount of the national health budget. A better knowledge of these cellular mechanisms will allow us to design effective prevention and treatment strategies which are at present lacking.Read moreRead less
A Population-based Birth Cohort Study Of The Development Of Atherosclerosis In Early Life
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$780,067.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease (heart attack and stroke) are leading causes of death and illness in adults in Australia. The changes in blood vessels that lead to these conditions begin before birth. This project investigates the factors that contribute to these early changes from birth onwards, and will facilitate development of targeted prevention in high-risk groups to reduce cardiovascular disease in later life.
On the mechanism of boiling instability in microchannels. This project will enable designers to create highly efficient miniaturised devices based on the boiling of fluids such as water or organics. These devices include micro-power generation systems, coolers for computer chips and solar collectors, and micro-chemical process systems. Such devices provide environmental, safety and economic benefits.
Heat Transfer Characteristics of Biological Tissues with Nanoparticles. Heat transfer of laser-irradiated nanoparticles in biological tissues requires a basic knowledge of the unique strong resonance absorption properties and a fundamental understanding of the thermal and chemical conversions as a consequence of these heated nanoparticles. This project aims to investigate the extent of the non-equilibrium heating effects of heated nanoparticles on the destruction of biological tissues. Comprehen ....Heat Transfer Characteristics of Biological Tissues with Nanoparticles. Heat transfer of laser-irradiated nanoparticles in biological tissues requires a basic knowledge of the unique strong resonance absorption properties and a fundamental understanding of the thermal and chemical conversions as a consequence of these heated nanoparticles. This project aims to investigate the extent of the non-equilibrium heating effects of heated nanoparticles on the destruction of biological tissues. Comprehensive experimental studies and computational modelling to be performed are expected to significantly enhance the understanding of laser-induced heating phenomena of embedded nanoparticles in biological tissues and the prediction of the level of destruction that can be experienced by these heated nanoparticles.Read moreRead less
THE EFFECTS OF TRANSCRANIAL MAGNETIC STIMULATION (TMS) ON RAT MODELS OF DEPRESSION
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$204,274.00
Summary
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is the direct stimulation of the brain by using high field magnetic pulses. It is a new technique that has been demonstrated to have some potential as a treatment of depressive illness and possibly other neuropsychiatric disorders. At this early stage of its investigation, the parameters of stimulation that are most likely to be therapeutic, and its mechanisms of action, are not known. Published studies vary in the frequency, duration and exten ....Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is the direct stimulation of the brain by using high field magnetic pulses. It is a new technique that has been demonstrated to have some potential as a treatment of depressive illness and possibly other neuropsychiatric disorders. At this early stage of its investigation, the parameters of stimulation that are most likely to be therapeutic, and its mechanisms of action, are not known. Published studies vary in the frequency, duration and extent of stimulation, with no firm guidelines about optimal parameters. Empirical study of the relative effects of stimulation at different frequencies, at different numbers of stimuli and for different durations is therefore important for the future development of this treatment. Such an investigation is best carried out in an animal model of depression for both ethical and practical reasons, as such studies in patients would possibly take many years and be extremely difficult to conduct. We propose such a study in rat models of depression which have demonstrated validity and utility in drug research. Rat models have a long track record in developing psychiatric treatments and are cost-effective and of proven value. We also plan to investigate the neuroanatomy of the immediate-early genes induced by TMS and compare it with electroconvulsive shock (ECS) and a tricyclic antidepressant, two established treatments of depression. The results will have implications for future human studies in guiding us toward the optimal parameters for therapeutic effects. They will also enhance our understanding of the mechanism of action of TMS in depression.Read moreRead less
Design and Optimisation of Novel Enthalpy Heat Exchangers. This project deals with the thermal design and optimisation of a novel type of latent energy heat exchanger. This new heat exchanger overcomes the practical implementation problems of previous latent energy heat exchangers such as heat-wheels. The main application of this innovative heat exchanger will be to improve the capacity and efficiency of air conditioning systems. As the new heat exchanger is very compact it will be ideally sui ....Design and Optimisation of Novel Enthalpy Heat Exchangers. This project deals with the thermal design and optimisation of a novel type of latent energy heat exchanger. This new heat exchanger overcomes the practical implementation problems of previous latent energy heat exchangers such as heat-wheels. The main application of this innovative heat exchanger will be to improve the capacity and efficiency of air conditioning systems. As the new heat exchanger is very compact it will be ideally suited for integration with air conditioning coils. Existing latent heat wheels are very bulky and are difficult to integrate into standard air conditioner installations.Read moreRead less
Design of high performance heat sink composites. Heat sink composites are advanced materials that have the very substantial but widely untapped potential to reduce Society's energy consumption by means of utilizing waste energy or through energy-efficient temperature control. This Project uses computational analysis and parallel experimentation to design optimum heat-sink composites for highly energy-efficient temperature control of chemical batteries or electronic components as well as the mean ....Design of high performance heat sink composites. Heat sink composites are advanced materials that have the very substantial but widely untapped potential to reduce Society's energy consumption by means of utilizing waste energy or through energy-efficient temperature control. This Project uses computational analysis and parallel experimentation to design optimum heat-sink composites for highly energy-efficient temperature control of chemical batteries or electronic components as well as the means for the efficient heating/cooling of buildings. The outcomes of the project will lay the scientific foundation for the industrial scale development of advanced heat sinks that will lower energy costs and decrease climate changing emissions. This represents a new market for Australian industry.Read moreRead less
Analysis, simulation, fabrication and characterization of reliable, robust and scalable compact cooling elements based on semiconductor nanostructures. Modern electronic, microelectronic and optoelectronic devices generally work better when they are cooler. We aim to develop a semiconductor nanostructure cooling element which directly integrates into existing devices. The solid-state cooling element will be reliable, robust, scalable and operate in any orientation. The basis of operation is ....Analysis, simulation, fabrication and characterization of reliable, robust and scalable compact cooling elements based on semiconductor nanostructures. Modern electronic, microelectronic and optoelectronic devices generally work better when they are cooler. We aim to develop a semiconductor nanostructure cooling element which directly integrates into existing devices. The solid-state cooling element will be reliable, robust, scalable and operate in any orientation. The basis of operation is thermionic emission - electrons are the working fluid. Our project combines (1) analysis and simulation, (2) fabrication of nanostructures and (3) experimental test-benching using optical and electrical methods. The outcome of this research has the potential to revolutionize cooling of modern electronic and photonic systems, from computer motherboards to mobile phones.Read moreRead less
Novel methods for enhancing room temperature figure of merit of thermoelectric/thermionic materials for refrigeration applications. With global warming and an increased awareness of climate change, devices such as thermoelectric modules can be part of the solution, particularly if their relative power and efficiency can be increased. The aim of this project is to bring together theoreticians, experimentalists, materials scientists, and industrial partners with complementary expertise to develop ....Novel methods for enhancing room temperature figure of merit of thermoelectric/thermionic materials for refrigeration applications. With global warming and an increased awareness of climate change, devices such as thermoelectric modules can be part of the solution, particularly if their relative power and efficiency can be increased. The aim of this project is to bring together theoreticians, experimentalists, materials scientists, and industrial partners with complementary expertise to develop new techniques and methods for fabricating novel thermoelectric/thermionic materials with high figure of merit, ZT, for solid state refrigeration applications. The success of the project will lead to a 3 to 5 fold increase in the market share of thermoelectric cooler and will have a significant impact on the Australian economy and reduce greenhouse emissions and global warming. Read moreRead less
A Fundamental Study on Redox Behaviour of Oxygen Carriers in Chemical Looping Combustion. Our goal here is to acquire fundamental knowledge about the redox behaviour of metal oxide oxygen carriers which, arguably, underpins the feasibility of the Chemical Looping Combustion (CLC) concept. Although the proposed work is fundamental and will contribute to the advancement of knowledge, the results will have immediate practical applications in power generation industry at both national and internatio ....A Fundamental Study on Redox Behaviour of Oxygen Carriers in Chemical Looping Combustion. Our goal here is to acquire fundamental knowledge about the redox behaviour of metal oxide oxygen carriers which, arguably, underpins the feasibility of the Chemical Looping Combustion (CLC) concept. Although the proposed work is fundamental and will contribute to the advancement of knowledge, the results will have immediate practical applications in power generation industry at both national and international levels. This should significantly contribute to the Australian Government's efforts in producing world class solutions for abatement of greenhouse emissions (Research Priority 1: An Environmentally Sustainable Australia, Priority Goal 1.4 - Reducing and capturing emissions in transport and energy generation).Read moreRead less