Increasing the utility of tetanus toxins by protein engineering. There are a variety of common diseases that are the result of muscular defects. Some of these may be able to be treated with an agent that increases muscle tone, thereby giving benefit to the patient in the alleviation of symptoms. This project aims to use some of the most potent substances known, bacterial toxins, and engineer them to be valuable agents for treatment of certain muscular disorders.
Domestic air quality: towards the setting of guidelines. Air quality standards have been developed to protect human health. Although people spend most of their time indoors there are no standards and only a few guidelines for indoor air pollution (IAP). The aim of this study is to investigate the levels of IAP that may worsen asthma in children. Childhood asthma will be used as a health indicator due to its high prevalence, cost to the healthcare system and implications for respiratory morbidity ....Domestic air quality: towards the setting of guidelines. Air quality standards have been developed to protect human health. Although people spend most of their time indoors there are no standards and only a few guidelines for indoor air pollution (IAP). The aim of this study is to investigate the levels of IAP that may worsen asthma in children. Childhood asthma will be used as a health indicator due to its high prevalence, cost to the healthcare system and implications for respiratory morbidity in adult life. We expect to identify levels of IAP that will represent a health risk as well as the factors that may contribute to increased IAP in homes.Read moreRead less
X-ray Micro-tomography Validation of HRCT-Based Airway Measurements. This project brings together a newly emergent modality of microscopy in the form of 3D X-ray micro-tomography (XRMT) along with leading-edge image analysis to develop breakthrough science in respiratory research aimed at improving the reliability of high resolution computed tomography (HRCT). The project will develop novel 3D lung image segmentation protocols, a stereotactic registration program allowing 3D matching of XRCT and ....X-ray Micro-tomography Validation of HRCT-Based Airway Measurements. This project brings together a newly emergent modality of microscopy in the form of 3D X-ray micro-tomography (XRMT) along with leading-edge image analysis to develop breakthrough science in respiratory research aimed at improving the reliability of high resolution computed tomography (HRCT). The project will develop novel 3D lung image segmentation protocols, a stereotactic registration program allowing 3D matching of XRCT and HRCT data sets, and a validation protocol for quantitative HRCT analysis of airway disease. These outcomes will allow wider application of HRCT to non-invasively follow the dynamics of pulmonary function.Read moreRead less
Improving asthma device use: Innovative models for inter-professional practice. This project falls within the goals of National Priority 2: promoting and maintaining good health. This project has the potential to affect every individual accessing health care in the Australia. Through its approach to and focus on improving the use of asthma medications this project will impact on: the quality use of medicines and health outcomes for patients. Through its focus on health professional relationships ....Improving asthma device use: Innovative models for inter-professional practice. This project falls within the goals of National Priority 2: promoting and maintaining good health. This project has the potential to affect every individual accessing health care in the Australia. Through its approach to and focus on improving the use of asthma medications this project will impact on: the quality use of medicines and health outcomes for patients. Through its focus on health professional relationships and interdisciplinary approach to community health care it will result in: improved interprofessional relationships and a model of collaboration which has the potential to be implemented on a broad scale in the community.Read moreRead less
Advanced nanotechnologies for targeting biofilms. Advanced nanotechnologies for targeting biofilms. This project aims to develop nano-particulate systems based on a single platform technology that can be delivered as an aerosol. The current lack of a suitable formulation and delivery system hinders the eradication of fungal and bacterial biofilms from surfaces. These new systems will have enhanced residency time, penetration properties and effectiveness in biofilms. This project intends to under ....Advanced nanotechnologies for targeting biofilms. Advanced nanotechnologies for targeting biofilms. This project aims to develop nano-particulate systems based on a single platform technology that can be delivered as an aerosol. The current lack of a suitable formulation and delivery system hinders the eradication of fungal and bacterial biofilms from surfaces. These new systems will have enhanced residency time, penetration properties and effectiveness in biofilms. This project intends to understand the properties that govern the formation and interactions in these systems, and develop in-vitro tools that the wider scientific community can use. The project expects to generate a single platform that can be used for the eradication of biofilms in numerous applications, from healthcare to agriculture.Read moreRead less
High Gravity Precipitation of Nanoparticles for Pulmonary Drug Delivery. This collaborative project aims to explore the huge market potential of drug delivery by inhalation aerosols using nanoparticles. It will apply cutting edge nanotechnology to develop new techniques using high gravity to synthesise particles of biomaterials suitable for inhalation. Nanoparticles can penetrate deeper into the lung where they deposit and dissolve faster for enhanced therapeutic effects. Successful developme ....High Gravity Precipitation of Nanoparticles for Pulmonary Drug Delivery. This collaborative project aims to explore the huge market potential of drug delivery by inhalation aerosols using nanoparticles. It will apply cutting edge nanotechnology to develop new techniques using high gravity to synthesise particles of biomaterials suitable for inhalation. Nanoparticles can penetrate deeper into the lung where they deposit and dissolve faster for enhanced therapeutic effects. Successful development of the technology will position both Australia and the industry partner to take a lead in the application of this novel technology in pharmaceutical aerosols, and provides better inhalation therapy to benefit patients.Read moreRead less
Optimising bubble continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for preterm infants. Synchrotron imaging will be used to see how the lungs of newborns are aerated and move when they are supported by continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) breathing support. This project will provide fundamental biological information that will contribute to refinement of devices to support breathing in babies.
Particle deposition in the human lung - Computer Aided Design. Inhaled particles can cause a variety pulmonary injuries and diseases such as asthma, bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) etc. A limited multiple-path model will be employed to simulate efficiencies of particle deposition in the human lung. The model developed in this work is different from other available models in that it is based on an asymmetrical branching network for first three generations. This project ....Particle deposition in the human lung - Computer Aided Design. Inhaled particles can cause a variety pulmonary injuries and diseases such as asthma, bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) etc. A limited multiple-path model will be employed to simulate efficiencies of particle deposition in the human lung. The model developed in this work is different from other available models in that it is based on an asymmetrical branching network for first three generations. This project aims to assist people to monitor atmospheric quantity and assess the risk of deposition of particles. A new commercial code will be developed as new marketable software packages.Read moreRead less
Economic, social and cross cultural issues in non-pharmaceutical protection of front line responders to pandemic influenza and emerging infections. The protection of front line responders in a pandemic is essential to underpin an effective response. This research is the only work internationally which will address a key gap in evidence. This research has major implications for the national stockpile and for management of front line responders in a pandemic. These data are urgently needed, not ju ....Economic, social and cross cultural issues in non-pharmaceutical protection of front line responders to pandemic influenza and emerging infections. The protection of front line responders in a pandemic is essential to underpin an effective response. This research is the only work internationally which will address a key gap in evidence. This research has major implications for the national stockpile and for management of front line responders in a pandemic. These data are urgently needed, not just in Australia, but globally to inform pandemic planning and disease control policy around emerging infections and bioterrorism.Read moreRead less
Mannitol Powders for Assessment of Asthma in Children. A successful conclusion of this project will enable Australia to become a world leader in childhood asthma assessment. The availability of an objective diagnostic test for early detection of asthma would assist formulating early treatment strategies at this crucial stage in the progression of the disease, improving the quality of life of asthma sufferers in their early years. The Australian pharmaceutical sector will benefit through the ab ....Mannitol Powders for Assessment of Asthma in Children. A successful conclusion of this project will enable Australia to become a world leader in childhood asthma assessment. The availability of an objective diagnostic test for early detection of asthma would assist formulating early treatment strategies at this crucial stage in the progression of the disease, improving the quality of life of asthma sufferers in their early years. The Australian pharmaceutical sector will benefit through the ability to develop proprietary formulations targeted towards taking advantages of the scientific knowledge on pharmaceutical powders and aerosols. The mannitol testing is environmental friendly as powder aerosol delivery does not require any harmful organic solvents to operate.Read moreRead less