Pre-clinical Assessment Of Novel Growth Factor Complexes As A Topical Agent In The Treatment Of Deep
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$156,870.00
Summary
Healing of deep burns, unlike that of superficial injuries, often resolves with scarring. Scarring is reduced with rapid closure of burns. The CIs have discovered and patented novel growth factor complexes that stimulate the growth and migration of keratinocytes, cells derived from skin. Hence these complexes hold therapeutic potential for wounds that require rapid closure such as deep burns. This application will provide pre-clinical, proof-of-principle data to facilitate future patient trials.
Inhibitors Of Bacterial Protein Synthesis - A New Class Of Antibiotics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$120,000.00
Summary
Pioneering work by CSIRO scientists has identified specific peptide motifs in the DNA replication machinery of bacteria that are critical for the correct functioning of the organism. In collaboration with CI Alewood potent (Kd ~ nM) lead compounds that inhibit bacterial DNA replication have been designed and synthesised. Through the application of a number of novel bioinformatics approaches to the analysis of the complete genome sequences of bacteria, the key sites of interaction of a number of ....Pioneering work by CSIRO scientists has identified specific peptide motifs in the DNA replication machinery of bacteria that are critical for the correct functioning of the organism. In collaboration with CI Alewood potent (Kd ~ nM) lead compounds that inhibit bacterial DNA replication have been designed and synthesised. Through the application of a number of novel bioinformatics approaches to the analysis of the complete genome sequences of bacteria, the key sites of interaction of a number of protein families (DNA synthesis and repair enzymes) with the beta subunit of bacterial DNA Polymerase III have been identified. The nature of the sites, and preliminary experimental data, suggests that the approach will be generally applicable to all species of bacteria. In addition a wide range of novel assays for the identification of inhibitors of the interaction of proteins with the beta subunit have been developed. In this proposal we wish to demonstrate that our in vitro nanomolar inhibitors of the beta subunit can inhibit bacterial cell growth. The development program proposes to develop methods and strategies to gain bacterial cell entry of inhibitors of the interaction of proteins with the beta subunit of bacterial DNA Polymerase III. Proof of concept will be demonstrated by inhibition of bacterial cell growth. Stable compounds with good binding characteristics and able to be taken up by cells will be developed based on structure-function assay results, structural studies and modelling of inhibitors bound to the target. Antimicrobial activity of compounds will be demonstrated in standard FDA approved NCLLS (National Centre of Clinical Laboratory Standards USA) tests. Spectrum of activity will be demonstrated by testing compounds against bacterial species representative of the range of pathogenic organisms in standard FDA assays.Read moreRead less
Development And Pre-clinical Evaluation Of A Novel Wound Dressing Treatment For Chronic Ulcers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$125,040.00
Summary
Chronic leg ulcers are a common, painful and costly reality for many Australians, impacting on sufferers' mobility, social interactions and overall quality of life. This research is directed at developing a novel cost-effective wound dressing for treatment of this condition. This will be achieved through neutralising the ulcer's toxic proteolytic environment through an interactive wound dressing. This then will allow the body's own cells to promote wound healing.
Production Of A Novel Humanised Anti Dendritic Cell Therapeutic Antibody For Graft Versus Host Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$202,500.00
Summary
A transplant of bone marrow or other source of blood stem cells from a donor is often used to treat leukaemia patients whose disease has failed to respond to chemotherapy. The Mater Medical Research Institute has developed a world first dendritic cell depleting therapeutic antibody which may open a new strategy for the control of acute graft versus host disease, which is a very common and often fatal complication of bone marrow transplantation. The new antibody treatment is also likely to be use ....A transplant of bone marrow or other source of blood stem cells from a donor is often used to treat leukaemia patients whose disease has failed to respond to chemotherapy. The Mater Medical Research Institute has developed a world first dendritic cell depleting therapeutic antibody which may open a new strategy for the control of acute graft versus host disease, which is a very common and often fatal complication of bone marrow transplantation. The new antibody treatment is also likely to be useful for the prevention of rejection in solid organ transplantation. If successful, it will selectively control graft versus host disease, without compromising the essential anti-viral immunity and desired anti-leukemia activity of the graft.Read moreRead less
Phase 1 Clinical Trial Of Autologous Dendritic Cells To Induce Antigen-specific Tolerance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$165,125.00
Summary
We have previously generated modified dendritic cells in mice with the ability to suppress immune responses once they have started. This project will develop the dendritic cell vaccine as a platform technology for human clinical use. We aim to demonstrate, in a phase I clinical trial, the capacity of modified human autologous dendritic cells to suppress the immune response to a model antigen in a group of healthy volunteers and a group of patients with rheumatoid arthritis taking drugs for their ....We have previously generated modified dendritic cells in mice with the ability to suppress immune responses once they have started. This project will develop the dendritic cell vaccine as a platform technology for human clinical use. We aim to demonstrate, in a phase I clinical trial, the capacity of modified human autologous dendritic cells to suppress the immune response to a model antigen in a group of healthy volunteers and a group of patients with rheumatoid arthritis taking drugs for their diseaseRead moreRead less
Development Of Novel Anti-cancer And Immunosuppressive Drugs Derived From Pineapple Stems
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$469,500.00
Summary
We have discovered two molecules from pineapple stems that show anti-tumour activity in laboratory studies. One molecule, called ananain, blocks a cancer causing protein called Ras, which is defective in approximately 30% of all cancers. The other molecule, called canizain, stimulates the bodies own immune system to target and kill cancer cells. The proposed research seeks to provide proof of concept of the use of ananain and canizain as drug development targets. Once this early proof of princip ....We have discovered two molecules from pineapple stems that show anti-tumour activity in laboratory studies. One molecule, called ananain, blocks a cancer causing protein called Ras, which is defective in approximately 30% of all cancers. The other molecule, called canizain, stimulates the bodies own immune system to target and kill cancer cells. The proposed research seeks to provide proof of concept of the use of ananain and canizain as drug development targets. Once this early proof of principle phase has been completed, we believe that ananain and canizain would be extremely attractive targets for further investment by a major pharmaceutical company.Read moreRead less
Development Of Novel And Selective Anticancer Drugs Derived From Cysteine.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$264,250.00
Summary
In the next few years cancer is projected to become the leading cause of death in industrialised countries. Cancer chemotherapy currently relies on destruction of tumours by toxic drugs that indiscriminately kill all cell types, resulting in side effects that limit treatment. In the 21st century new cancer drugs will more effectively destroy malignant tumour cells without damaging normal cells. The R and D herein will value-add to our discovery of a new class of potent and orally active anti-tum ....In the next few years cancer is projected to become the leading cause of death in industrialised countries. Cancer chemotherapy currently relies on destruction of tumours by toxic drugs that indiscriminately kill all cell types, resulting in side effects that limit treatment. In the 21st century new cancer drugs will more effectively destroy malignant tumour cells without damaging normal cells. The R and D herein will value-add to our discovery of a new class of potent and orally active anti-tumour drugs that possess unusually high selectivity in acting on cancer cells without killing normal human cells. Our current proof of concept will be turned into a drug development candidate that will improve our negotiating position with commercial partners.Read moreRead less
Development Of Modified IGF-binding Proteins As Novel Anti-cancer Chemotherapeutics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$77,375.00
Summary
We propose to enhance the effectiveness of current anti-cancer treatments by co-administering a protein to sequester growth factors that promote the resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapy. We aim to achieve improved destruction of breast and colorectal cancers but with reduced adverse side effects. Our in vitro data show the effectiveness of this novel co-therapeutic which is a modified form of a natural carrier protein for these growth factors. This application seeks funding to enable proof ....We propose to enhance the effectiveness of current anti-cancer treatments by co-administering a protein to sequester growth factors that promote the resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapy. We aim to achieve improved destruction of breast and colorectal cancers but with reduced adverse side effects. Our in vitro data show the effectiveness of this novel co-therapeutic which is a modified form of a natural carrier protein for these growth factors. This application seeks funding to enable proof of concept in vivo in order to attract commercial funding for clinical trials.Read moreRead less
Developing Novel Anti-cancer Agens By High Throughput Chemical Screens For Small Molcules That Modulate The Pro-survival
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$125,000.00
Summary
Cancer is the second commonest cause of deaths in our community. Unfortunately, treatment often fails or causes unwanted side effects. This proposal seeks to discover and develop a novel class of anti-cancer drugs that act by directly activating programmed cell death (apoptosis). The Bcl-2 proteins are key regulators of cell death and by exploiting knowledge about these prime targets for cancer therapy, we aim to discover drugs that are potentially of considerable medical and commercial value.
Modulating Immune Responses By Targeting Dendritic Cells Using Dendritic Cell Specific Markers.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$197,750.00
Summary
The ability to modulate immune responses would have major health benefits. Dendritic cells (DC) are key regulators of the immune system. Different types of DC possess different cell surface molecules and have differing regulatory functions. We have identified four novel DC surface molecules that can be used to target different types of DC. We aim to use antibodies against these molecules to either enhance the effectiveness of vaccines or to suppress autoimmune diseases.