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
Natural Therapeutic Products from Shark Bile. Scymnol and its sulfate are natural therapeutic products from shark bile with highly potent anti-oxidant and liver-protective activities. The Industry Partner and Macrides have co-patented the synthesis of scymnol to avoid using scarce natural resources. However, unresolved problems in scale-up of production have prevented them from supplying the growing demands of cosmetic and health food companies. Our research group has recently developed a potent ....Natural Therapeutic Products from Shark Bile. Scymnol and its sulfate are natural therapeutic products from shark bile with highly potent anti-oxidant and liver-protective activities. The Industry Partner and Macrides have co-patented the synthesis of scymnol to avoid using scarce natural resources. However, unresolved problems in scale-up of production have prevented them from supplying the growing demands of cosmetic and health food companies. Our research group has recently developed a potential synthetic route for scymnol sulfate. The present project aims to develop a commercially-viable scale-up of this synthesis for manufacturing scymnol and scymnol sulfate to solve current supply problems; and to provide essential safety information for their appropriate use; and evaluate potential new therapeutic uses.Read moreRead less
The effect of dissolved organic matter on the toxicity and bioavailability of metals in tropical freshwater ecosystems. Mine waste materials in tropical Australia, including historical, current and future operations, represent one of the threats to the quality and biodiversity of tropical freshwater ecosystems. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is thought to influence metal toxicity. In order to adequately understand the risks of priority metals and metalloids from mining and other activities (eg. ....The effect of dissolved organic matter on the toxicity and bioavailability of metals in tropical freshwater ecosystems. Mine waste materials in tropical Australia, including historical, current and future operations, represent one of the threats to the quality and biodiversity of tropical freshwater ecosystems. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is thought to influence metal toxicity. In order to adequately understand the risks of priority metals and metalloids from mining and other activities (eg. urban development) to tropical freshwater ecosystems, it is essential that the role of DOC is quantified. The outcomes of this project will provide improved metal risk assessment methodologies; quantitative understanding of the relationship between DOC and the bioavailability and toxicity of key metals such arsenic, aluminium, cadmium, copper, uranium and zinc.Read moreRead less
Advanced Materials for Stents. The polymer based materials targeted for production in this project will bring unique capabilities to the field of stent design. A multi-component degradable stent system is expected to bring significant improvements in vascular therapeutic treatments for a wide range of illnesses and applications. This will have significant advantages over current treatment and will have a positive impact on the quality of life of patients. The project brings together world leader ....Advanced Materials for Stents. The polymer based materials targeted for production in this project will bring unique capabilities to the field of stent design. A multi-component degradable stent system is expected to bring significant improvements in vascular therapeutic treatments for a wide range of illnesses and applications. This will have significant advantages over current treatment and will have a positive impact on the quality of life of patients. The project brings together world leaders in their respective fields to address a highly multidisciplinary are of research and will provide excellent training for the PhDs and post doctoral research associates, enabling them to work in and contribute to the development of new biomedical industries in Australia.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
Fate of micropollutants in water recycling: influence of dissolved organic matter. Access to safe drinking water is essential for the economic and social development of Australia. There is increasing interest in applying advanced water treatment processes, such as membrane filtration or ozonation, to treat secondary effluent to a potable standard. This project promotes improved organic pollutant removal and monitoring during advanced water treatment and will contribute to the National Research P ....Fate of micropollutants in water recycling: influence of dissolved organic matter. Access to safe drinking water is essential for the economic and social development of Australia. There is increasing interest in applying advanced water treatment processes, such as membrane filtration or ozonation, to treat secondary effluent to a potable standard. This project promotes improved organic pollutant removal and monitoring during advanced water treatment and will contribute to the National Research Priority goal, water - a critical resource, by providing the increased protection of receiving waters including rivers and seawater. Further, as very few studies consider the role of dissolved organic matter for organic pollutant fate in water reuse internationally, this project will help to advance Australia's position in science.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
Visualising below the tip of the proteome iceberg. Proteomics attempts to understand human biology by examining the protein components of cells and tissues. Unfortunately, currently available technology only allows approximately 10% of the complexity of these cells and tissues to be concurrently investigated. This project will the physical, chemical and functional properties of protein classes for enrichment, as well as improve technologies for protein visualization, identification and character ....Visualising below the tip of the proteome iceberg. Proteomics attempts to understand human biology by examining the protein components of cells and tissues. Unfortunately, currently available technology only allows approximately 10% of the complexity of these cells and tissues to be concurrently investigated. This project will the physical, chemical and functional properties of protein classes for enrichment, as well as improve technologies for protein visualization, identification and characterization. These approaches will allow the scientific community to further mine beneath the surface of the proteomics 'iceberg'.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