Zinc finger domains as scaffolds for protein engineering. While great advances have been made in pharmaceutical design and discovery, it is clear that new types of drugs are needed for the better management of a wide range of diseases (e.g. cancers, autoimmune diseases, viral infections). Many of these diseases arise from inappropriate interactions between intracellular biological macromolecules. My aim is to develop a range of novel therapeutic proteins based on naturally existing zinc-binding ....Zinc finger domains as scaffolds for protein engineering. While great advances have been made in pharmaceutical design and discovery, it is clear that new types of drugs are needed for the better management of a wide range of diseases (e.g. cancers, autoimmune diseases, viral infections). Many of these diseases arise from inappropriate interactions between intracellular biological macromolecules. My aim is to develop a range of novel therapeutic proteins based on naturally existing zinc-binding protein domains with the goal of selectively blocking these inappropriate interactions. Additionally, these engineered proteins have potential uses as biochemical tools such as to help delineate the functions of natural proteins with no known functions.Read moreRead less
Synthetic Endonucleases: Novel DNA Cleaving Agents for Cancer Chemotherapy. Cancer is a common disease in our society, with more than 1 in 4 of us dieing from it. The current survival rate is 50%, and has been so for the past 5 decades. Thus, there is clearly an urgent need for better forms of therapy. Chemotherapy is the mainstay of treatment once the disease has spread from its original site. The National Benefits from the development of a new class of effective cancer drug are two-fold. Firs ....Synthetic Endonucleases: Novel DNA Cleaving Agents for Cancer Chemotherapy. Cancer is a common disease in our society, with more than 1 in 4 of us dieing from it. The current survival rate is 50%, and has been so for the past 5 decades. Thus, there is clearly an urgent need for better forms of therapy. Chemotherapy is the mainstay of treatment once the disease has spread from its original site. The National Benefits from the development of a new class of effective cancer drug are two-fold. Firstly, much relief will come to people suffering from cancer, as some will live longer, and some will be cured. Secondly, the economic benefits are extensive, since the world market in cancer drugs is measured in billions $US, and significant monies will flow to those who hold the intellectual property rights. Read moreRead less
Multi-modal, Multi-dimensional Virtual Microscopy for Diagnostic Quantitative Pathology. This project will contribute to the development of a new generation of virtual microscopy (VM) systems that provide new and innovative features capable of significantly increasing the adoption of digital imaging technology throughout the field of pathology. These systems have the potential to significantly enhance the efficiency and efficacy of not only primary diagnostic workflows, but also aspects of profi ....Multi-modal, Multi-dimensional Virtual Microscopy for Diagnostic Quantitative Pathology. This project will contribute to the development of a new generation of virtual microscopy (VM) systems that provide new and innovative features capable of significantly increasing the adoption of digital imaging technology throughout the field of pathology. These systems have the potential to significantly enhance the efficiency and efficacy of not only primary diagnostic workflows, but also aspects of proficiency testing and continuing education vital for a vibrant, well regulated discipline. In addition, the project will contribute to our knowledge of the pathology assessed in the screening and diagnosis of cancers such as cervical, lung and bladder cancers.Read moreRead less
Improved detection and characterisation of breast cancer using magnetic resonance imaging, and novel image analysis and pattern recognition techniques. Breast cancer is a leading cause of death in Australian women. With no clear cause, one mainstay of management has been early detection. Newer medical imaging technologies such as magnetic resonance imaging require complex analysis to achieve their full benefit. Should the computationally demanding analyses of these images provide more sensitive ....Improved detection and characterisation of breast cancer using magnetic resonance imaging, and novel image analysis and pattern recognition techniques. Breast cancer is a leading cause of death in Australian women. With no clear cause, one mainstay of management has been early detection. Newer medical imaging technologies such as magnetic resonance imaging require complex analysis to achieve their full benefit. Should the computationally demanding analyses of these images provide more sensitive and specific detection of early cancers, the potential reductions in morbidity and mortality from breast cancer will be of immense value. Successful implementation of the proposed project will further enhance Australia's position as a world leader in biomedical research and application of computational technologies to health problems.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0567196
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$55,000.00
Summary
Improved early detection of breast cancer enabled by grid-computing and advanced modelling and visualisation of MR images. This project will investigate the utility of grid computing in the detection of breast cancer from magnetic resonance (MR) images. The large quantity of data acquired using MR imaging is difficult for clinicians to review and the cost of missed or incorrect detection is high. To provide rapid visualisation and assessment of the acquired data, grid computing will be used in c ....Improved early detection of breast cancer enabled by grid-computing and advanced modelling and visualisation of MR images. This project will investigate the utility of grid computing in the detection of breast cancer from magnetic resonance (MR) images. The large quantity of data acquired using MR imaging is difficult for clinicians to review and the cost of missed or incorrect detection is high. To provide rapid visualisation and assessment of the acquired data, grid computing will be used in conjunction with interactive visualisation with haptic feedback. Grid computing experience and haptic device expertise will be achieved via Swedish collaborators. The successful outcome of this project will be software for the production of 3D colour-coded breast images in which suspicious regions are highlighted and can be physically interrogated using the haptic device.Read moreRead less
Intelligent Image Processing Techniques for Novel Biomarker Discovery. This project will make an impact on Australia's international research profile by seeking a solution to a worldwide challenging problem in biomarker discovery for the detection of diseases at an early stage which requires the incorporation of the skills and knowledge from biology, medicine, engineering, computer science, and information technology. The successful outcomes of this research will make an impact on Australia's e ....Intelligent Image Processing Techniques for Novel Biomarker Discovery. This project will make an impact on Australia's international research profile by seeking a solution to a worldwide challenging problem in biomarker discovery for the detection of diseases at an early stage which requires the incorporation of the skills and knowledge from biology, medicine, engineering, computer science, and information technology. The successful outcomes of this research will make an impact on Australia's engagement in using advanced image analysis and intelligent methods for the emerging research and development of targeted drug discovery. Read moreRead less
An Automated Bioimaging System for High-Content Cell-Cycle Screening. 1) Providing a better understanding of the biological complexities
that will advance knowledge in life science research and facilitate the development of new anti-cancer drugs.
2) Supporting Australian academic institutions in a challenging field of innovative research through international, interdisciplinary collaborations, and publications in journals of high quality scientific research.
3) Providing research training ....An Automated Bioimaging System for High-Content Cell-Cycle Screening. 1) Providing a better understanding of the biological complexities
that will advance knowledge in life science research and facilitate the development of new anti-cancer drugs.
2) Supporting Australian academic institutions in a challenging field of innovative research through international, interdisciplinary collaborations, and publications in journals of high quality scientific research.
3) Providing research training in a research venture that requires expertise and collaboration in the disciplines of biology, engineering, computer science, and mathematics.
4) Bringing economic and social benefits for Australia by enhancing important industries and existing technologies in medicine, and biotechnology.
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Generalised Linear Mixed Models: Theory, Methods and New Areas of Application. This project will aid the analysis of complex data sets throughout Australia. The ensuing methodology and software products will be applicable to data arising from longitudinal and geo-referenced public health and biomedical studies being conducted in Australia. It will also aid analysis of complex survey data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and other agencies. Part of this project is geared towards smart inf ....Generalised Linear Mixed Models: Theory, Methods and New Areas of Application. This project will aid the analysis of complex data sets throughout Australia. The ensuing methodology and software products will be applicable to data arising from longitudinal and geo-referenced public health and biomedical studies being conducted in Australia. It will also aid analysis of complex survey data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and other agencies. Part of this project is geared towards smart information use in Australian industries and will help foster collaboration between mathematical scientists and members of the Australian business sector. Cancer research in Australia will also benefit from this project.Read moreRead less
Synchrotrons, wavelet analysis and novel imaging techniques - applying physics tools to the war against breast cancer. Breast cancer leads to the second highest number of person-years of life lost due to cancer in Australia, with little known about its transport around the body. Current screening methods for breast cancer are neither 100% sensitive or specific and are heavily dependent upon expert training. This project will contribute by yielding valuable information on the transport of breast ....Synchrotrons, wavelet analysis and novel imaging techniques - applying physics tools to the war against breast cancer. Breast cancer leads to the second highest number of person-years of life lost due to cancer in Australia, with little known about its transport around the body. Current screening methods for breast cancer are neither 100% sensitive or specific and are heavily dependent upon expert training. This project will contribute by yielding valuable information on the transport of breast cancer and contribute to the development of an automated diagnostic method, with the possibility of its application to other diseases. The project will also involve members of the regional community, train regional scientists and provide synchrotron experience for Australian scientists in time for Australia's first synchrotron.Read moreRead less
New Imaging Instrumentation and Algorithms for the Simultaneous Measurement of Multiple Radio-labelled Probes in vivo. Medical imaging plays an increasingly important role in basic biological research and health care. This project will lead to new imaging technologies that allow the simultaneous measurement of more than one biological process at a time in living subjects, providing new insights into disabling diseases, such as cancer and mental illness. An immediate benefit will be to strengthen ....New Imaging Instrumentation and Algorithms for the Simultaneous Measurement of Multiple Radio-labelled Probes in vivo. Medical imaging plays an increasingly important role in basic biological research and health care. This project will lead to new imaging technologies that allow the simultaneous measurement of more than one biological process at a time in living subjects, providing new insights into disabling diseases, such as cancer and mental illness. An immediate benefit will be to strengthen the expertise in biomedical engineering and instrumentation development in Australia, where we have international leadership. The technologies developed will provide advanced tools for making fundamental biological discoveries and translating them into biotechnological or clinical applications.Read moreRead less