Development of an ultrasensitive assay for human prion proteins. The aim of this work is to enable the detection of prion proteins in human blood and other tissues. The assay system to be developed will detect much lower levels of these disease-causing proteins than is possible at present; it will be more rapid and will measure prion protein levels more accurately than existing assays. The outcome of the work is expected to facilitate the production and certification of prion-free blood and bl ....Development of an ultrasensitive assay for human prion proteins. The aim of this work is to enable the detection of prion proteins in human blood and other tissues. The assay system to be developed will detect much lower levels of these disease-causing proteins than is possible at present; it will be more rapid and will measure prion protein levels more accurately than existing assays. The outcome of the work is expected to facilitate the production and certification of prion-free blood and blood products. Prions cause Bovine Spongiform Encaphalopathy and Creutzfeld Jacob Disease and attempts to control of these diseases would be greatly abetted by an optimal test for the disease-causing agent.Read moreRead less
Assessing Effects of Petroleum Oil Pollution on Estuarine Rock Platform Invertebrate Communities. The effects of oil spills on our native intertidal organisms are virtually unknown. For some years before and since a major oil spill in Sydney, 1999, we have conducted impact and recovery studies on rock platform species assemblages of Port Jackson. Results show impacts at both community and individual species levels. This project aims to answer important questions arising from this work and wou ....Assessing Effects of Petroleum Oil Pollution on Estuarine Rock Platform Invertebrate Communities. The effects of oil spills on our native intertidal organisms are virtually unknown. For some years before and since a major oil spill in Sydney, 1999, we have conducted impact and recovery studies on rock platform species assemblages of Port Jackson. Results show impacts at both community and individual species levels. This project aims to answer important questions arising from this work and would allow: (1) to establish a cause and effect relationship between oil exposure and Australian invertebrate species responses(2) generate quantitative chronic and acute oil impact data on invertebrate species at a range of oil exposures and best practice amelioration, (3) generation of the first toxicological data of the impact of oil pollutants on Australian estuarine invertebrates, (4)investigation of possible early-warning biomarkers of oil exposure, and (5) rapid assessment monitoring procedures for future environmental management of our estuarine systems.Read moreRead less
Synthesis and analysis of equine anabolic steroid metabolites. The Australian Racing Industry has an annual turnover of over $11,000M and is Australia's highest employing industry. Its credibility is dependent upon the enforcement of regulations relating to illicit substances. The aim of the project is to devise testing procedures for illicit drugs in the equine. To achieve this a variety of hydroxylated anabolic steroid equine metabolites are to be synthesised as reference standards and for ....Synthesis and analysis of equine anabolic steroid metabolites. The Australian Racing Industry has an annual turnover of over $11,000M and is Australia's highest employing industry. Its credibility is dependent upon the enforcement of regulations relating to illicit substances. The aim of the project is to devise testing procedures for illicit drugs in the equine. To achieve this a variety of hydroxylated anabolic steroid equine metabolites are to be synthesised as reference standards and for studies on analytical procedures. These analytical studies will involve production of antibodies, and of the appropriate testing procedures.Read moreRead less
Improved methods for quantitation of acute phase proteins in biological samples. Using monoclonal antibodies and fluorescence polarisation, we aim to develop improved quantitative analytical methods that are superior to the current clinical assays. The initial targets will be C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid precursor protein (SAP), but the technology should be readily adaptable to other serum proteins. Better assays for CRP and SAP will greatly facilitate improved clinical management ....Improved methods for quantitation of acute phase proteins in biological samples. Using monoclonal antibodies and fluorescence polarisation, we aim to develop improved quantitative analytical methods that are superior to the current clinical assays. The initial targets will be C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid precursor protein (SAP), but the technology should be readily adaptable to other serum proteins. Better assays for CRP and SAP will greatly facilitate improved clinical management of those at risk of heart attack, the single biggest contributor to healthcare costs in Australia. We further aim to adapt this technology to enable "point-of-care" assays that would help medical practitioners, especially in rural areas, to make informed diagnoses immediately.Read moreRead less
Solving the problem of detecting small molecules in complex samples: A Label-Free Electrochemical Immuno-biosensor for drugs and pesticides. Biosensors are portable analytical devices which can be used by the general public without specialist training. The proposed research will develop a biosensor for the detection of small molecules such as pesticides, poisons and drugs; a class of analytes where there is currently no viable biosensor technology. The simple to use device will benefit the Aus ....Solving the problem of detecting small molecules in complex samples: A Label-Free Electrochemical Immuno-biosensor for drugs and pesticides. Biosensors are portable analytical devices which can be used by the general public without specialist training. The proposed research will develop a biosensor for the detection of small molecules such as pesticides, poisons and drugs; a class of analytes where there is currently no viable biosensor technology. The simple to use device will benefit the Australian community by providing technology which will allow rapid and inexpensive monitoring of water as well as biomedical diagnosis. The research will also benefit Australia via providing the training of scientists to establish the new generation of Australia's bionanotechnology industry. Read moreRead less
The effect of chlorine disinfection byproducts in wastewater effluent on the aquatic environment. Chlorination of treated wastewater leads to the formation of harmful disinfection byproducts (DBPs). A key issue for the water industry and government environmental agencies is whether the DBPs have a deleterious effect on organisms in the receiving aquatic environment. The effect of fractions of chlorinated and chlorinated/dechlorinated wastewaters on organisms will be assessed using biological as ....The effect of chlorine disinfection byproducts in wastewater effluent on the aquatic environment. Chlorination of treated wastewater leads to the formation of harmful disinfection byproducts (DBPs). A key issue for the water industry and government environmental agencies is whether the DBPs have a deleterious effect on organisms in the receiving aquatic environment. The effect of fractions of chlorinated and chlorinated/dechlorinated wastewaters on organisms will be assessed using biological assays. Chemical analysis will be used to identify the compounds in fractions having negative biological effects. Laboratory data will be validated by measuring environmental DBP concentrations and assessing the biota. This project will identify the risk to biota in aquatic environments from chlorinated and chlorinated/dechlorinated wastewater.Read moreRead less