Rhinovirus impairs physiological and immunological lung development and causes exacerbation of allergic airways disease. Rhinovirus (RV) infections account for around 90 per cent of asthma exacerbations, yet the mechanisms behind this are unknown. This project will use mouse models to study the effects of early life RV infection and allergic sensitisation on respiratory and immunological development, with the expectation that early life RV infection disrupts anitgen presenting cell function.
Neurons and neurotransmitters that control the apnoeic response to irritation of the larynx. Normal function of the larynx enables breathing, cough, singing, speech and many other normal functions. This project will reveal how nerves in the brain coordinate to achieve these many functions; in particular the way that breathing stops if fluid or smoke enters the larynx.
Elucidating the post-transcriptional regulation of mast cell proteases. Mast cells (MCs) are immune cells that protect against pathogens but may induce deleterious inflammation. MC function is mediated by specific proteases that are pre-formed and stored in granules. These proteases have unique yet poorly understood mechanisms of regulation. The aim of the project is to use a novel suite of molecular tools and genetically modified mice to identify the critical regions of transcripts that post-tr ....Elucidating the post-transcriptional regulation of mast cell proteases. Mast cells (MCs) are immune cells that protect against pathogens but may induce deleterious inflammation. MC function is mediated by specific proteases that are pre-formed and stored in granules. These proteases have unique yet poorly understood mechanisms of regulation. The aim of the project is to use a novel suite of molecular tools and genetically modified mice to identify the critical regions of transcripts that post-transcriptionally regulate the production and storage of these proteins. The project aims to identify the RNA binding proteins, microRNAs and other novel factors that also regulate them. This is expected to elucidate the post-transcriptional mechanisms of regulation of MC proteases.Read moreRead less
In-vivo detection of airway injury and disease using phase contrast X-ray velocimetry. Currently diagnosis of lung disease, a major cause of death in humans, is based on clinical symptoms that do not usually manifest until the disease is well advanced. This project will develop a novel imaging technique, X-ray velocimetry, to detect changes in tissue before symptoms arise, potentially leading to strategies for managing lung diseases.
Low dose methods for detecting early lung disease using x-ray phase contrast imaging. This project will develop a highly sensitive, low-dose x-ray imaging technique for the early detection of diseases of the respiratory system. This technology will have the potential to be used as a diagnostic screening tool to reduce the incidence of respiratory related deaths from diseases such as lung cancer and emphysema.
Modelling and Measurement of Flow-Structure Dynamics in the Human Upper Airway. Sleep disruption due to the common and disabling conditions of snoring and obstruction of the human upper airway can result in chronic fatigue, lost work and accidents caused by daytime drowsiness. To date the behaviour of the upper airway has not been adequately studied in terms able to reveal the mechanical causes of these conditions. This deficiency is addressed through the development and use of simulation tools ....Modelling and Measurement of Flow-Structure Dynamics in the Human Upper Airway. Sleep disruption due to the common and disabling conditions of snoring and obstruction of the human upper airway can result in chronic fatigue, lost work and accidents caused by daytime drowsiness. To date the behaviour of the upper airway has not been adequately studied in terms able to reveal the mechanical causes of these conditions. This deficiency is addressed through the development and use of simulation tools and measurement techniques that will elucidate the flow-structure dynamics leading to new diagnostic and improved treatment methods. Simulating the effect of treatment on any individual will permit it to be chosen to maximise its efficacy for a problem that costs the nation an estimated $2 Billion per year in lost productivity.Read moreRead less
Treating tuberculosis: targeted delivery of multidrug nano-suspensions. Tuberculosis (TB) is a lung disease of worldwide prevalence. Treatment times are long and mortality is high in children and the elderly. Current treatments are ineffective and drug resistant TB is a real pandemic threat. The project will develop a cost-effective nano-particle system that can be incorporated into conventional nebulisers for use worldwide.
Discrete particle simulation of powder dispersion in pharmaceutical aerosol inhalers. A successful completion of the project will i) greatly enhance the Australian R&D profile and capabilities of both computational modelling and pharmaceutical aerosol research in the world; ii) provide an improved delivery of therapeutic dose to patients via inhalers with better performance to enhance the therapeutic benefits; iii) enable wide availability of inexpensive and effective pharmaceutical inhalation p ....Discrete particle simulation of powder dispersion in pharmaceutical aerosol inhalers. A successful completion of the project will i) greatly enhance the Australian R&D profile and capabilities of both computational modelling and pharmaceutical aerosol research in the world; ii) provide an improved delivery of therapeutic dose to patients via inhalers with better performance to enhance the therapeutic benefits; iii) enable wide availability of inexpensive and effective pharmaceutical inhalation products to the Australian community for the treatment of asthma and other diseases, iv) facilitate environmentally friendly technology since powder aerosol delivery does not require any harmful organic solvents to operate.Read moreRead less
Synthesis of nanoparticles by impinging liquid-jet precipitation for inhalation drug delivery. The project aim is to develop a state of the art technology for the efficient, reliable and economical production of nanoparticles of drugs suitable for inhalation delivery to the lung. Nanoparticles can penetrate deeper into the lung where they deposit and dissolve faster for enhanced therapeutic effects. The project will focus on both the production process and the particle properties for aerosol a ....Synthesis of nanoparticles by impinging liquid-jet precipitation for inhalation drug delivery. The project aim is to develop a state of the art technology for the efficient, reliable and economical production of nanoparticles of drugs suitable for inhalation delivery to the lung. Nanoparticles can penetrate deeper into the lung where they deposit and dissolve faster for enhanced therapeutic effects. The project will focus on both the production process and the particle properties for aerosol administration. Successful development of the technology will not only gain new knowledge in the key area of nanotechnology, but also lead to better inhalation therapy to benefit patients.Read moreRead less
Development of a novel process for the formation of particles with controlled surface architecture for respiratory drug delivery. A successful conclusion of this project will enhance substantially the competitiveness of Australia's research in functional nanomaterials and advanced biomaterials. The Australian pharmaceutical industry will gain through the ability to develop proprietary pharmaceutical formulations targeted towards taking advantage of the novel process. Patients of asthma, lung inf ....Development of a novel process for the formation of particles with controlled surface architecture for respiratory drug delivery. A successful conclusion of this project will enhance substantially the competitiveness of Australia's research in functional nanomaterials and advanced biomaterials. The Australian pharmaceutical industry will gain through the ability to develop proprietary pharmaceutical formulations targeted towards taking advantage of the novel process. Patients of asthma, lung infection and other serious health problems will benefit from an improved delivery of therapeutic dose at a much reduced cost. The technology is environmentally friendly as powder aerosol delivery does not require any harmful organic solvent to operate.Read moreRead less