New methods to improve regional isotope therapy of liver tumours in cancer patients. The most common cause of death in cancer patients is secondary tumours in vital organs. Successful treatment of liver tumours with regional isotope therapy now offers improved survival rates. This project will research novel radiolabelled nanoparticles and advanced computer imaging algorithms to improve regional isotope therapy of liver tumours. It will provide better methods of objective assessment and manageme ....New methods to improve regional isotope therapy of liver tumours in cancer patients. The most common cause of death in cancer patients is secondary tumours in vital organs. Successful treatment of liver tumours with regional isotope therapy now offers improved survival rates. This project will research novel radiolabelled nanoparticles and advanced computer imaging algorithms to improve regional isotope therapy of liver tumours. It will provide better methods of objective assessment and management that can reduce risk and improve patient survival.Read moreRead less
Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram: Enhancement Of Emergency Disease Management Capability In The Queensland Department Of Primary Industries And The Redclaw Crayfish (Cherax Quadricarinatus) Industry
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$11,755.00
Summary
Few major disease incidents have occurred in Australian aquaculture, and as a result, State/Territory departments and industries have relatively little experience in incident management for emergency aquatic animal diseases. No jurisdiction to date, has conducted a large scale response to eradicate an exotic disease in aquaculture, and thus expertise in these areas is limited. In the absence of real-life emergency events to provide "on-the-job" training, simulation exercises provide a practica ....Few major disease incidents have occurred in Australian aquaculture, and as a result, State/Territory departments and industries have relatively little experience in incident management for emergency aquatic animal diseases. No jurisdiction to date, has conducted a large scale response to eradicate an exotic disease in aquaculture, and thus expertise in these areas is limited. In the absence of real-life emergency events to provide "on-the-job" training, simulation exercises provide a practical alternative to expose staff to aspects of emergency management.
The need for these exercises can be summarised as follows: 1. Both government and industries have relatively little experience with real emergencies 2. In some jurisdictions, there are no emergency plans extant and there is a lack of clarity about the roles and responsibilities of various individuals and departments especially where fisheries are managed separately from terrestrial animal industries. 3. The lack of previous disease incidents has lead to complacency within several industries 4. Lack of experience with emergency management will invariably lead to a delayed response to a disease emergency, and that in turn may lead to a greater spread of the disease, loss of Australia's disease free status and severe impacts on export industries.
All simulation exercises are initiated by requests from clients - both industry and government. Both the QDPI and the redclaw crayfish industry have requested the proposed exercise and actively support this proposal. The proposed exercise has also attracted interest from the NSW Department of Fisheries, the Northern Territory Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries and the New Zealand Ministry of Fisheries, all of whom have requested to send observers to the exercise. Objectives: 1. To examine and test the skills and abilities of the participants in group problem solving and decision making skills. 2. To increase the participants' knowledge of the communication routes to be used in an emergency disease response by working through a scenario which mimics a real emergency situation. 3. To improve the participants' ability to manage tasks by prioritising a number of competing demands during the operational phase of an emergency response. 4. To increase participants' understanding of the operational effects of specific requests to field staff operating at infected premises. 5. To familiarise participants with operating practices on a redclaw crayfish farm and to enhance the identification of methods of disease control applicable to this industry. 6. To identify key issues for future development of emergency management in a range of subjects including planning, communication, staffing and resourcing. Read moreRead less
Otolithic Age Determination Of Mature Southern Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus Maccoyii)
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. Collect otoliths from SBT >130 cm. Determine time & periodicity of otolith band formation, hence seasonal & yearly growth rates. Validate otolith age determination methods developed from juvenile SBT for mature SBT. Age determination method independent of
Direct Otolithic Ageing Of Southern Bluefin Tuna, Thunnus Maccoyii (Castlenau), Exploited By The Australian Fishery
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. Validate CSIRO-developed otolithic ageing techniques. 2. Determine timing & periodicity of otolith check formation, hence growth season at different ages & geographical areas. 3. Method to partition into age classes independent of modal analysis & that derived from growth curves ex tag data
Devil Facial Tumour Disease: Cytogenetic Clues to Transmission and Development. Devil Facial Tumour Disease is a fatal cancer that is decimating Tasmanian devils. Preliminary work suggests that tumours from different animals have identical sets of highly abnormal chromosomes, including a giant marker chromosome. We will use DNA probes to 'paint' abnormal tumour chromosomes to discover markers for diagnosis, and identify genes contributing to tumour development and immune suppression. Most import ....Devil Facial Tumour Disease: Cytogenetic Clues to Transmission and Development. Devil Facial Tumour Disease is a fatal cancer that is decimating Tasmanian devils. Preliminary work suggests that tumours from different animals have identical sets of highly abnormal chromosomes, including a giant marker chromosome. We will use DNA probes to 'paint' abnormal tumour chromosomes to discover markers for diagnosis, and identify genes contributing to tumour development and immune suppression. Most importantly, we will test our hypothesis that tumours all arose from a single ancestral cancer cell that is transmitted between animals. A cellular transmission has frightening implications for spread of disease, but will allow us to develop appropriate therapeutic strategies to save a unique Australian marsupial from extinction.Read moreRead less
Parameters For Stock Yield Assessments In The Developing Orange Roughy And Blue Grenadier Fisheries
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. Determine, for both orange roughy and blue grenadier, age and age/length relationships, age at recruitment and maturity, and estimates of total mortality from which natural mortality may be estimated
Study Of The Reproductive Biology Of The Southern Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus Maccoyii (Castlenau)) Off The Coast Of Australia
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. Determine the age at first maturity for SBT from Aust waters. Update, enlarge knowledge & expertise relating to examination of SBT gonads. 2. Further knowledge of pattern & process of development of gonads, strategy of spawning, & fecundity in relation to age/size
Preliminary Feasibility Study On The Use Of New Age-pigment-based Methods For Age Determination Of Western Rock Lobster (Panulirus Cygnus)
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$27,170.00
Summary
Objectives: 1. Preliminary feasibility study on the use of new age-pigment-based methods for age determination of western rock lobster (Panulirus cygnus)