Functional Nano-cement Scaffolds For The Treatment Of Osteoporotic Bone Defects
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,768.00
Summary
Osteoporosis affects 1.2 million Australians and will cost $33.6 billion by 2022. This study aims to develop a novel nano-cement platform for custom-designed bone repair in osteoporosis, by using purpose-designed nanomaterials and advanced 3D printing technique. The research findings will lead to the development of a new bone repair strategy, expand knowledge on both biomaterials engineering and osteoporosis treatment, and improve the quality of life of Australians.
Role Of IGF Binding Protein-3 (IGFBP-3) And IGFBP-5 As Modulators Of Nuclear Hormone Signalling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$465,750.00
Summary
The insulin-like growth factors are small proteins involved in the growth of most tissues. Their actions are regulated by binding to larger proteins (known as IGFBPs) in the bloodstream and outside the cell. However, some IGFBPs are also found inside cells, where they seem to carry out other functions. We believe that two of these binding proteins, IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-5, change the way cells respond to vitamin A and vitamin D. These two vitamins are important in cell growth and in the way certain ....The insulin-like growth factors are small proteins involved in the growth of most tissues. Their actions are regulated by binding to larger proteins (known as IGFBPs) in the bloodstream and outside the cell. However, some IGFBPs are also found inside cells, where they seem to carry out other functions. We believe that two of these binding proteins, IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-5, change the way cells respond to vitamin A and vitamin D. These two vitamins are important in cell growth and in the way certain cells perform specialised functions. In test-tube experiments, IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-5 interact directly with the receptors that regulate the effects of these hormones. If the same thing happens inside the cell, IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-5 could change the way these receptors respond to signals from outside the cell. We will investigate what effect these IGFBPs have in living cells and in whole animals and how this may relate to human disease. If we are able to understand how IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-5 affect the way cells respond to vitamin A and D, then we may be able to develop new ways to treat certain human diseases.Read moreRead less
Geometric evolution of spaces with symmetries. Symmetries underpin numerous laws of nature and mathematical constructions. This project aims to develop a comprehensive theory of the famous Ricci flow equation in the presence of symmetries. Previous study of this equation has led to many ground-breaking results, such as Perelman's celebrated proof of the century-old Poincaré conjecture. Outcomes are expected to fill major knowledge gaps in mathematics, opening doors to applications in quantum fie ....Geometric evolution of spaces with symmetries. Symmetries underpin numerous laws of nature and mathematical constructions. This project aims to develop a comprehensive theory of the famous Ricci flow equation in the presence of symmetries. Previous study of this equation has led to many ground-breaking results, such as Perelman's celebrated proof of the century-old Poincaré conjecture. Outcomes are expected to fill major knowledge gaps in mathematics, opening doors to applications in quantum field theory, relativity and other fields. Anticipated benefits include strengthening Australia’s leadership in mathematical innovation, advancing the internationalisation of the Australian research scene, and increasing the involvement of women in STEM.Read moreRead less
Automated Vector Extraction from Airborne Laser Scan Data. This project considers the problem of automatically extracting and vectorising the outlines of objects from Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) data. The industry partner, AAM GeoScan, is a leading user of ALS systems in Australia, and has a need to develop automated solutions to this problem. ALS data is typically a dense cloud of 3D point data which represents the local terrain, as well as any trees, buildings or vehicles which may be in t ....Automated Vector Extraction from Airborne Laser Scan Data. This project considers the problem of automatically extracting and vectorising the outlines of objects from Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) data. The industry partner, AAM GeoScan, is a leading user of ALS systems in Australia, and has a need to develop automated solutions to this problem. ALS data is typically a dense cloud of 3D point data which represents the local terrain, as well as any trees, buildings or vehicles which may be in the field of view. Spatial data is a very important resource, widely used in many types of urban and rural planning operations. Planning software packages require vectorised descriptions of building outlines and other spatial data, however this is not presently available from raw ALS data. The project will investigate this problem and develop new and effective means for producing it automatically from raw ALS data. Expected outcomes include a successful research masters studentship, the development of novel solutions to the problem which are directly applicable to the industry partner's core business, peer reviewed publications, and an strengthened link between the universities and the industry partner.Read moreRead less
Geometric evolution problems in nonlinear partial differential equations. This project aims to address important problems key to the understanding of geometric evolution equations and certain other nonlinear partial differential equations. The problems to be tackled lie in a very active area of mathematics: harmonic maps, liquid crystals and Yang-Mills theory. Special aims are to exploit new methods to settle open problems in harmonic maps and Yang-Mills equations, and to improve understanding o ....Geometric evolution problems in nonlinear partial differential equations. This project aims to address important problems key to the understanding of geometric evolution equations and certain other nonlinear partial differential equations. The problems to be tackled lie in a very active area of mathematics: harmonic maps, liquid crystals and Yang-Mills theory. Special aims are to exploit new methods to settle open problems in harmonic maps and Yang-Mills equations, and to improve understanding of practical questions such as the mathematical modelling of liquid crystals via the celebrated Ericksen-Leslie and Landau-de Gennes theories. The expected outcomes are fundamental results in mathematics, with applications in other sciences.Read moreRead less
Geometric partial differential systems and their applications. This proposal addresses questions central to the understanding of nonlinear partial differential systems from classical, quantum field theory and liquid crystals. Applications to physical problems such as the Yang-Mills flow, Faddeev's model and liquid crystal systems are of great interest and importance in the broader scientific community. The project will yield internationally significant results in theoretical mathematics, with ....Geometric partial differential systems and their applications. This proposal addresses questions central to the understanding of nonlinear partial differential systems from classical, quantum field theory and liquid crystals. Applications to physical problems such as the Yang-Mills flow, Faddeev's model and liquid crystal systems are of great interest and importance in the broader scientific community. The project will yield internationally significant results in theoretical mathematics, with applications in physics and and other sciences. Specialist training will be provided for Australia's next generation of mathematicians. This project will enable Australian researchers to stay at the forefront of research in this area, strengthening links with a number of world-leading mathematicians.Read moreRead less
Geometric variational problems and nonlinear partial differential systems. We will investigate several important problems on non-linear partial differential systems, bridging analysis, differential geometry and mathematical physics. Harmonic maps are the prototype of maps minimizing the Dirichlet energy. The liquid crystal configuration generalizes the harmonic map with values into two dimensional spheres. The Yang-Mills equations originated from particle physics. We will make fundamental contri ....Geometric variational problems and nonlinear partial differential systems. We will investigate several important problems on non-linear partial differential systems, bridging analysis, differential geometry and mathematical physics. Harmonic maps are the prototype of maps minimizing the Dirichlet energy. The liquid crystal configuration generalizes the harmonic map with values into two dimensional spheres. The Yang-Mills equations originated from particle physics. We will make fundamental contributions to these topics: Regularity problem and energy minimality of weakly harmonic maps, Weak solutions of the liquid crystal equilibrium system, Yang-Mills heat flow and singular Yang-Mills connections.
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Whole Body Vibration For Osteoporosis: Shaking Up Our Treatment Options
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$961,017.00
Summary
Our aim is to examine the ability of vibration alone and in combination with osteoporosis drugs to reduce hip fracture in postmenopausal women. In Australia, 1 in 2 women >60yrs, will sustain an osteoporotic fracture. Only drugs notably decrease fracture; however none are entirely effective and some patients don’t respond. Whole body vibration has emerged as a potentially effective therapy. A combination of vibration and drugs may enhance the effects of both and revolutionise treatment.
Why Is The Bone Marrow A “hot-spot” For Myeloma Plasma Cell Metastasis: Are There Gremlins In The System?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$651,979.00
Summary
Most cancer patients die because their cancer spreads from a primary site to other tissues in the body. Once escaping the primary site, 70% of all tumours will spread to bone. This raises the question, why is bone a preferred destination for cancer cells? We provide evidence that Gremlin1, made by non-cancer cells within bone, is a key protein that supports cancer growth. This study will examine whether inhibiting Gremlin1 is a potential therapy to inhibit cancer spreading to bone.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190101063
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$319,474.00
Summary
Geometric flows and distinguished geometric structures with symmetry. This project aims to carry out analysis for the Ricci flow and a number of recent flows in complex geometry. Geometric evolution equations are a trending topic in modern mathematics, with successful applications such as the celebrated proof of the century-old Poincaré Conjecture in 2002-03 by means of the Ricci flow. An analysis of the behaviour of solutions with symmetry is an essential component in any mature theory on the s ....Geometric flows and distinguished geometric structures with symmetry. This project aims to carry out analysis for the Ricci flow and a number of recent flows in complex geometry. Geometric evolution equations are a trending topic in modern mathematics, with successful applications such as the celebrated proof of the century-old Poincaré Conjecture in 2002-03 by means of the Ricci flow. An analysis of the behaviour of solutions with symmetry is an essential component in any mature theory on the subject. The project will use the novel tools and ideas resulting from this analysis to address the Alekseevskii Conjecture, a 40-year old fundamental open question in the field with major ramifications in mathematics and beyond. This project will further reinforce Australia's leading role in geometric analysis.Read moreRead less