Development of the PD GeneChip: a research and diagnostic tool for Parkinson's disease. The PD GeneChip will provide both social and economic benefits to Australia. It will be a key research platform for Australian scientists, and will facilitate collaboration both within Australia and overseas. It will assist with health care management of PD (Parkinson's disease) patients by providing a cost-effective diagnostic tool and the possibility of predicting the clinical course of disease. This inform ....Development of the PD GeneChip: a research and diagnostic tool for Parkinson's disease. The PD GeneChip will provide both social and economic benefits to Australia. It will be a key research platform for Australian scientists, and will facilitate collaboration both within Australia and overseas. It will assist with health care management of PD (Parkinson's disease) patients by providing a cost-effective diagnostic tool and the possibility of predicting the clinical course of disease. This information will provide the basis for tailoring treatment to a patients needs. It is anticipated that marketing of the PD GeneChip within Australia and overseas may produce revenue of at least $40 million annually.Read moreRead less
Developing technologies that support the genetic modification of rats. Rats and the mouse play critical roles in medical research. Until recently, the targeted genetic modification of a mammal was limited to the mouse. This was due to a technology that was unique to the mouse: embryonic stem (ES) cells. These cells have not been isolated from any other species. The recent development of animal cloning allows for an alternate strategy for targeting genes. We propose to develop cloning strate ....Developing technologies that support the genetic modification of rats. Rats and the mouse play critical roles in medical research. Until recently, the targeted genetic modification of a mammal was limited to the mouse. This was due to a technology that was unique to the mouse: embryonic stem (ES) cells. These cells have not been isolated from any other species. The recent development of animal cloning allows for an alternate strategy for targeting genes. We propose to develop cloning strategies in the rat that supports the genetic modification of this animal. The development of this technology will bring considerable benefits to the areas of physiological research and drug design.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.
Generating a targeted mutation resource in zebrafish. How do genes function to build organisms and how are they regulated to produce organs and tissues? Using a new technique to target specific genes in the genome of zebrafish, this project will determine how genes control formation of different tissues. The new gene "knockout" technology will fundamentally change our understanding of how genes work during development.
Modulation of protein folding pathways: a new platform technology for molecular medicine. Misfolding of proteins is becoming recognised as a major cause of inherited disease. We propose to develop a chemical agent that will optimise the folding of alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT), misfolding of which gives rise to inheritable liver and lung disease. This agent will have potential application as a therapy for sufferers of AAT-misfolding disease and for improving the yield of AAT purified from human plasm ....Modulation of protein folding pathways: a new platform technology for molecular medicine. Misfolding of proteins is becoming recognised as a major cause of inherited disease. We propose to develop a chemical agent that will optimise the folding of alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT), misfolding of which gives rise to inheritable liver and lung disease. This agent will have potential application as a therapy for sufferers of AAT-misfolding disease and for improving the yield of AAT purified from human plasma, which is the current agent used to treat patients with AAT-misfolding disease.Read moreRead less
Gene targeting in the rat germ cell. The rat plays a central role in both medical research and the drug development process. Unfortunately key technologies supporting the genetic modification of the rat are currently unavailable. The development of such technology would dramatically improve the utility of the rat in many areas of medical research as well as for the pharmaceutical industry. This project proposes to develop methods to perform gene targeting experiments in the germ cells of the ....Gene targeting in the rat germ cell. The rat plays a central role in both medical research and the drug development process. Unfortunately key technologies supporting the genetic modification of the rat are currently unavailable. The development of such technology would dramatically improve the utility of the rat in many areas of medical research as well as for the pharmaceutical industry. This project proposes to develop methods to perform gene targeting experiments in the germ cells of the male rat. Successful manipulation of these cells will represent a major breakthrough towards the ultimate goal of manipulating the rat genome.Read moreRead less
Auditory and Vestibular Ringing--Detection and theraputic interventions. Tinnitus effects up to 30% of the elderly population. To date no single suppression modality has been successful across all tinnitus sufferers. This study will apply an aural, low level, modulated, fractal suppression strategy designed to induce a "natural" olivary efferent response capable of suppressing/reducing tinnitus.
Balance disorders e.g. Meniere's Disease and nausea (seasickness) are unwanted outcomes of vestibu ....Auditory and Vestibular Ringing--Detection and theraputic interventions. Tinnitus effects up to 30% of the elderly population. To date no single suppression modality has been successful across all tinnitus sufferers. This study will apply an aural, low level, modulated, fractal suppression strategy designed to induce a "natural" olivary efferent response capable of suppressing/reducing tinnitus.
Balance disorders e.g. Meniere's Disease and nausea (seasickness) are unwanted outcomes of vestibular dysfunction/hypersensitivity. This study will apply a low level, low frequency, modulated, acoustic pressure wave designed to induce a ?natural? olivary efferent response and an end organ endolymph/perilymph balance shift. It is postulated these stimuli will reduce the effects of vestibular dysfunction/hypersensitivity.
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Using the eye as a window to the central nervous system for improved drug testing. The annual cost of treating brain illnesses is US$250 billion. Each new drug costs about US$900 million to develop. This research will give Pfizer Pty Ltd, the project’s industry partner, a more efficient and direct way of testing whether drugs can get into and affect the brain. This will reduce the cost of drug development, which ultimately means cheaper drugs. The project will develop new technologies to put Aus ....Using the eye as a window to the central nervous system for improved drug testing. The annual cost of treating brain illnesses is US$250 billion. Each new drug costs about US$900 million to develop. This research will give Pfizer Pty Ltd, the project’s industry partner, a more efficient and direct way of testing whether drugs can get into and affect the brain. This will reduce the cost of drug development, which ultimately means cheaper drugs. The project will develop new technologies to put Australia at the forefront of neuropharmaceutical and neuroscience research. A new research platform will foster collaborations with the pharmaceutical industry both within Australia and overseas. This industrial link will promote a unique post-graduate experience by providing exposure to academic and industrial environments for Australian scientists.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
Chronic pain and functional impairment following traumatic injury: an investigation into the impact of compensation status and experience. This project will enhance understanding of the impact of the psychosocial factors and the compensation process on recovery from traumatic injury. The project will generate new resources (screening and referral guidelines; educational materials) to improve decision making consistency, client experience, and recovery from road trauma.