A proteomic approach to the identification of novel targets for allergy treatment. Eosinophils are involved in parasite immunity and in the pathology of allergic diseases including asthma. Eosinophil recruitment and activation is critical to their functional activity, but the relevant molecular mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. In the present proposal, a unique resource of eosinophils, at different stages of recruitment and activation, will be used for detailed proteomic analysis to ide ....A proteomic approach to the identification of novel targets for allergy treatment. Eosinophils are involved in parasite immunity and in the pathology of allergic diseases including asthma. Eosinophil recruitment and activation is critical to their functional activity, but the relevant molecular mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. In the present proposal, a unique resource of eosinophils, at different stages of recruitment and activation, will be used for detailed proteomic analysis to identify molecules and molecular pathways involved in eosinophil migration and activation. These studies may lead to novel anti-inflammatory strategies and more targeted drug treatments that will generate significant intellectual property and be of enormous benefit to allergy patients worldwide.Read moreRead less
Development of purified antibodies that kill virus infected cells. This proposal will develop panels of purified and monoclonal antibodies that kill virus infected cells. These antibodies may show efficacy in preventing HIV infection. This is new technology that could subsequently be harnessed to protect or limit the devastating effects of chronic viruses such as HIV.
Ecology, morphology and the diversification of Australian lizards. This project aims to determine the factors driving the spectacular radiation of lizards in Australia. To date, most investigations of lizard anatomy have focused exclusively on external characteristics. This project will examine the underlying internal anatomy to investigate whether morphological innovation is associated with enhanced rates of ecological, life-history and species diversification. The project expects to shed light ....Ecology, morphology and the diversification of Australian lizards. This project aims to determine the factors driving the spectacular radiation of lizards in Australia. To date, most investigations of lizard anatomy have focused exclusively on external characteristics. This project will examine the underlying internal anatomy to investigate whether morphological innovation is associated with enhanced rates of ecological, life-history and species diversification. The project expects to shed light on the evolution of Australia’s most diverse vertebrate lineage, and provide comparative data with which to interpret the lizard fossil record in Australia, and the range declines and relative extinction risks of native lizard species.Read moreRead less
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.
Enhancing immunogenicity of DNA vaccines by targeted delivery to antigen presenting cells. Vaccines have proven to be one of the most effective means of preventing infection and also provide promise as a treatment for cancer. However, the range of effective technologies that make possible the delivery of vaccines that can protect against a broad range of infections is limited. DNA based vaccines are attractive because they are relatively easy to produce against a wide range of infections. Howeve ....Enhancing immunogenicity of DNA vaccines by targeted delivery to antigen presenting cells. Vaccines have proven to be one of the most effective means of preventing infection and also provide promise as a treatment for cancer. However, the range of effective technologies that make possible the delivery of vaccines that can protect against a broad range of infections is limited. DNA based vaccines are attractive because they are relatively easy to produce against a wide range of infections. However, DNA vaccines often provide poor protection against infections. This project will explore a unique technology developed in Australia and that will greatly improve the effectiveness of DNA vaccines against a broad range of diseases. Read moreRead less
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
Characterisation of nanobubbles. Surprisingly, nano-sized bubbles have recently been found to exist in aqueous solutions. Classical theory tells us they should rapidly dissolve, yet they are stable for several days, a phenomenon which has only recently been explained. Despite this, nanobubbles are already used in cleaning processes and appear to have significant health benefits. They are being investigated in treatments for asthma and neurodegenerative diseases. In collaboration with a pharmaceu ....Characterisation of nanobubbles. Surprisingly, nano-sized bubbles have recently been found to exist in aqueous solutions. Classical theory tells us they should rapidly dissolve, yet they are stable for several days, a phenomenon which has only recently been explained. Despite this, nanobubbles are already used in cleaning processes and appear to have significant health benefits. They are being investigated in treatments for asthma and neurodegenerative diseases. In collaboration with a pharmaceutical company, the best means to produce and characterise nanobubbles will be investigated, as well as the conditions governing their stability. The project also aims to determine how the nanobubbles interact with surfaces in order to better control their properties and achieve a better understanding of these bubbles.Read moreRead less
Methane and nitrous oxide in agro-ecological systems: novel technologies and understandings to improve ecosystem management. Methane and nitrous oxide are critical greenhouse gases but globally we lack ecosystem scale analyses of the balance of emissions, including animal emissions, and soil oxidation. This project will quantify this balance for a range of agro-ecosystems, and explore and develop opportunities for improving soil-based Greenhouse Gas (GHG) mitigation measures.
Rational structure-based drug design of protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Protein tyrosine kinases (PTK) are a large, pivotal family of signalling molecules implicated in diseases such as cancer and immune-related disorders, that cause significant morbidity and mortality within the population. This research proposal aims to develop PTK-specific small molecule inhibitors to combat such diseases. Cytopia's drug discovery capability, coupled with the X-ray crystallographic expertise within Monas ....Rational structure-based drug design of protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Protein tyrosine kinases (PTK) are a large, pivotal family of signalling molecules implicated in diseases such as cancer and immune-related disorders, that cause significant morbidity and mortality within the population. This research proposal aims to develop PTK-specific small molecule inhibitors to combat such diseases. Cytopia's drug discovery capability, coupled with the X-ray crystallographic expertise within Monash University, will permit a rational, structure-based drug discovery platform to be established. The ultimate goal of this innovative and mutlidisciplinary approach, namely a portfolio of phase I therapeutics, will be of substantial benefit in the medical health area.Read moreRead less