Design, Evaluation, and Selection of Novel Pt(IV) Complexes as Anticancer Agents. Platinum anticancer drugs are arguably the most widely used anticancer agents in the world but serious problems remain with toxicity and resistance. Platinum(IV) compounds have numerous advantages in terms of stability and thereby, lower toxicity. In this project we will exploit these advantages along with others that we have discovered recently and our understanding of the chemistry and biology of platinum(IV) to ....Design, Evaluation, and Selection of Novel Pt(IV) Complexes as Anticancer Agents. Platinum anticancer drugs are arguably the most widely used anticancer agents in the world but serious problems remain with toxicity and resistance. Platinum(IV) compounds have numerous advantages in terms of stability and thereby, lower toxicity. In this project we will exploit these advantages along with others that we have discovered recently and our understanding of the chemistry and biology of platinum(IV) to develop novel platinum(IV) compounds to the point where the industry partner can commercialise them.Read moreRead less
Gallium, Copper and Metal Fluoride Complexes Designed for Brain Imaging. This project aims to develop fundamental synthetic coordination chemistry directed toward the development of new agents for imaging brain perfusion using positron emission tomography. The research will focus on developing new coordination complexes containing positron-emitting isotopes of copper, gallium and fluorine. The goal is incorporate in these radionuclides into small molecules that can be used for the molecular imag ....Gallium, Copper and Metal Fluoride Complexes Designed for Brain Imaging. This project aims to develop fundamental synthetic coordination chemistry directed toward the development of new agents for imaging brain perfusion using positron emission tomography. The research will focus on developing new coordination complexes containing positron-emitting isotopes of copper, gallium and fluorine. The goal is incorporate in these radionuclides into small molecules that can be used for the molecular imaging of the brain. This chemistry will have the potential to replace existing technologies that rely on single-photon emission from technetium and the technique of single photon emission computed tomography.Read moreRead less
Development and Testing of Novel Contrast Agents for Diagnostic Imaging. Demand for diagnostic imaging in the Australian healthcare system is growing at over 5% per annum. To facilitate imaging, Australia imports radiographic contrast media costing in excess of $50 million every year. Existing iodine-based agents are not ideal for X-ray absorption in current CT scanners and also cause moderate to severe allergic reaction in around 5% of all patients, sometimes with fatal results. New radiograph ....Development and Testing of Novel Contrast Agents for Diagnostic Imaging. Demand for diagnostic imaging in the Australian healthcare system is growing at over 5% per annum. To facilitate imaging, Australia imports radiographic contrast media costing in excess of $50 million every year. Existing iodine-based agents are not ideal for X-ray absorption in current CT scanners and also cause moderate to severe allergic reaction in around 5% of all patients, sometimes with fatal results. New radiographic media, which give enhanced contrast and provide greater patient comfort and safety are essential. Even a small fraction of the international market would generate millions of dollars in income, support growth and expertise in Imaging Technologies, and provide new markets for Australian mining of rare earth and bismuth metals.Read moreRead less
Metal-Based Anti-inflammatory Drugs with High Efficacy and Low Side-Effects. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have widespread human and veterinary applications for the treatment of arthritis and other inflammatory diseases, but their utility is limited by often severe gastrointestinal, renal and cardiac side-effects. The recently heralded COX-2 inhibitors have not lived up to their expectations in terms of efficacy and side-effects, therefore, there is a need to develop new potent ....Metal-Based Anti-inflammatory Drugs with High Efficacy and Low Side-Effects. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have widespread human and veterinary applications for the treatment of arthritis and other inflammatory diseases, but their utility is limited by often severe gastrointestinal, renal and cardiac side-effects. The recently heralded COX-2 inhibitors have not lived up to their expectations in terms of efficacy and side-effects, therefore, there is a need to develop new potent, but safer, NSAIDs. This project is aimed at using the results from new lead compounds to design NSAIDs with much greater efficacy and much less side effects than those currently available.Read moreRead less
Copper and gallium radiopharmaceuticals for the diagnosis and therapy of cancer. The goal of this project is to develop the chemistry required to prepare molecular imaging and therapeutic agents for the diagnosis and treatment of certain types of cancer.
Development of a novel biodegradable ophthalmic biomaterial based on porous silicon. Within this interdisciplinary project, we will combine our diverse expertise towards the development of frontier technologies for control of stem cell behaviour on biodegradable scaffold materials. We will develop a novel ophthalmic bioimplant from porous silicon using topographical and chemical aspects of surface modification as well as immobilisation and/or incorporation of bioactive species such as growth fac ....Development of a novel biodegradable ophthalmic biomaterial based on porous silicon. Within this interdisciplinary project, we will combine our diverse expertise towards the development of frontier technologies for control of stem cell behaviour on biodegradable scaffold materials. We will develop a novel ophthalmic bioimplant from porous silicon using topographical and chemical aspects of surface modification as well as immobilisation and/or incorporation of bioactive species such as growth factors, to permit the growth and differentiation of mammalian stem cells. This project will result in biomaterials for the treatment of blinding diseases of the eye. Implanted into the limbus, bioimplants may ameliorate some common corneal diseases.Read moreRead less
New photoinitiators and polymers for tack-free LED cured surface coatings. This project aims to develop surface coatings curable by energy from Light Emitting Diodes (LEDS) by overcoming existing hurdles, while improving workplace health and safety.
The project expects to achieve this by developing a new class of photoinitiator molecules, with enhanced reactivity, via a unique understanding of synthesis, photochemistry and commercial coatings formulation.
Outcomes will be new surface coatings ....New photoinitiators and polymers for tack-free LED cured surface coatings. This project aims to develop surface coatings curable by energy from Light Emitting Diodes (LEDS) by overcoming existing hurdles, while improving workplace health and safety.
The project expects to achieve this by developing a new class of photoinitiator molecules, with enhanced reactivity, via a unique understanding of synthesis, photochemistry and commercial coatings formulation.
Outcomes will be new surface coatings for a wide range of end uses, publication in high ranking journals and commercialisation of the technology.
Benefits of this project will include elimination of mercury and reduction in exposure to solvents in the Australian workplace, and a lower energy requirement to produce high-quality surface coated products.Read moreRead less
Electronic and Optical Properties of Doped Titanium Dioxide. Titanium dioxide, is widely used as a white pigment, owing to its high refractive index, second, only after diamond. Yellowing of rutile pigment particles, observed on prolonged exposure to sunlight, is a serious problem that pigment manufacturers would like to overcome. It is proposed that aluminium-doping of rutile limits this discolouration by altering the electronic structure of the rutile particles. This project seeks to identify ....Electronic and Optical Properties of Doped Titanium Dioxide. Titanium dioxide, is widely used as a white pigment, owing to its high refractive index, second, only after diamond. Yellowing of rutile pigment particles, observed on prolonged exposure to sunlight, is a serious problem that pigment manufacturers would like to overcome. It is proposed that aluminium-doping of rutile limits this discolouration by altering the electronic structure of the rutile particles. This project seeks to identify the specific electronic cause of the yellowing process, the nature of the Al defect,it's effect on the electronic structure of rutile, and the electronic perturbations that may occur when other dopants are used.Read moreRead less
Nickel(III) Oxyhydroxide (NiOOH) as a Positive Electrode Material in Primary Cells. In recent years, the demands put on batteries has increased due to the development of sophisticated portable electronic devices. With the currently available primary battery systems finding it difficult to cope with these demands, there is considerable incentive to develop an improved system with an appropriate capability. This project focuses on nickel(III) oxyhydroxide (NiOOH) as a cathode material. NiOOH is us ....Nickel(III) Oxyhydroxide (NiOOH) as a Positive Electrode Material in Primary Cells. In recent years, the demands put on batteries has increased due to the development of sophisticated portable electronic devices. With the currently available primary battery systems finding it difficult to cope with these demands, there is considerable incentive to develop an improved system with an appropriate capability. This project focuses on nickel(III) oxyhydroxide (NiOOH) as a cathode material. NiOOH is used widely in rechargeable battery systems, where it performs adequately even under severe discharge conditions. However, in primary battery systems, NiOOH suffers from self discharge. This project aims to use the performance capabilities of NiOOH in a primary system, by investigating ways to improve its stability. The benefits for Delta EMD will be protection of their existing business, as well as opening the door to the commercial manufacture of an advanced export material.Read moreRead less
Development of a Novel Photoelectrochemical Method for Ultra-sensitive and Selective Determination of Organic Pollutants. Rapidly deteriorating environmental conditions have caused worldwide fresh water shortage problems. For Australia, this is an urgent issue due to our limited fresh water resources. Globally, all levels of governments and legislative authorities have attempted to adopt stricter environmental legislation and better water resource management practice to address these urgent prob ....Development of a Novel Photoelectrochemical Method for Ultra-sensitive and Selective Determination of Organic Pollutants. Rapidly deteriorating environmental conditions have caused worldwide fresh water shortage problems. For Australia, this is an urgent issue due to our limited fresh water resources. Globally, all levels of governments and legislative authorities have attempted to adopt stricter environmental legislation and better water resource management practice to address these urgent problems. However, these priorities cannot be achieved until large scale and accurate environmental data are available. The success of the project would result in a new environmental monitoring system capable of online, real-time monitoring of environmental water quality, which will directly benefit water resource management practice in Australia. Read moreRead less