Topical Drug Delivery Based On Porous Silicon Nanoneedles
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
There are currently a number of new drugs that can only be administered through the skin via hypodermic needles, which is costly, invasive and carries the risk of infection spread. This project proposes to develop an alternative strategy based on skin patches covered in millions of microscopic porous needles. These needles are able to puncture the skin painlessly to provide rapid and minimally-invasive administration of drugs for treatment of skin diseases, such as melanoma or psoriasis.
Novel Microdevices For Controlled Blood And Skin Extraction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,644.00
Summary
Current blood sampling devices only create a puncture in the skin but have no capacity to collect blood while current tissue biopsies are not capable of repeated sampling in patients without the need for local anaesthesia or sutures. There is a need for clinically feasible devices to enable preventive strategies in the area of skin cancer and communicable diseases through facilitation of early detection, particularly in rural/remote areas where medical resources are limited.
Development Of New Therapy For Children Suffering From Epidermolysis Bullosa
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$307,946.00
Summary
Skin blistering diseases affect 1:17,000 live births. Constant skin blistering affects the quality of life and is often fatal in the first 2 years. For those children that survive, skin blistering leads to scarring, fusion of the fingers, infections and skin cancers. To date, the management of blistered children is mainly supportive and no specific cure exists. This study will develop new therapies for children with skin blistering diseases and will significantly improve their quality of life.
Towards Global Control Of Scabies: Advances In Diagnosis, Treatment And Community Control
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$340,891.00
Summary
The scabies mite causes severe itch and rash and leads to infections, kidney and heart disease. Scabies affects up to 50% of children in Indigenous communities. We now know most scabies can be prevented, so we urgently need to find the most effective strategies. My research will develop new tests to help doctors to accurately diagnose scabies. I will test new medicines to treat scabies and strategies to prevent scabies and its complications in children, families and entire populations.
Scabies Mite Proteins As Targets For The Development Of New Therapeutics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$299,564.00
Summary
Scabies and associated bacteria disease (pyoderma) are a significant health burden, with pyoderma implicated in rheumatic fever and heart disease. Investigations of the mechanism underlying scabies and bacteria disease links, identified scabies proteins inhibiting the human complement system. The inhibition prevents mite damage and promotes growth of bacteria. This proposal aims to elucidate the interaction between scabies, bacteria and the human host, in order to design new therapeutics.