Understanding Mitochondrial DNA Segregation And Transmission.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$512,449.00
Summary
We inherit our mitochondrial DNA from our mothers. Mutations to mitochondrial DNA can give rise to severely debilitating diseases that can be passed from one generation to the next. The aims of this application are to understand how mutant mitochondrial DNA is selected for; when it affects energy production during development; and to ensure that certain reproductive strategies do not result in the adverse transmission of mitochondrial DNA that will affect subsequent generations.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230100056
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$410,154.00
Summary
Accurate Fault Location Methods for Complex Power Networks. This project aims to devise novel algorithms to tackle one of the longstanding and challenging problems in power networks; finding the fault location in power lines. Recent bushfire preventive technologies that have been installed in power networks make the fault location process extremely challenging and time-consuming, leaving communities without power for many hours in extreme heatwave conditions.
The intended outcomes of the projec ....Accurate Fault Location Methods for Complex Power Networks. This project aims to devise novel algorithms to tackle one of the longstanding and challenging problems in power networks; finding the fault location in power lines. Recent bushfire preventive technologies that have been installed in power networks make the fault location process extremely challenging and time-consuming, leaving communities without power for many hours in extreme heatwave conditions.
The intended outcomes of the project are innovative algorithms that are able to pinpoint the fault location more accurately in complex networks, with many fewer measurement devices than conventional methods. This is expected to provide significant benefits for public safety and power supply reliability.Read moreRead less
Functional Genomics Of Malaria Liver Infection And Transmission
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,144.00
Summary
Chemotherapy is the front line defense against malaria but resistance is emerging. The WHO has advised that new drugs should target parasite stages that perpetuate the transmission of malaria to break the cycle of infection. We have identified proteins that are essential for the two transmissive stages of the most deadly parasite to infect their hosts. We will determine the precise function of these proteins and the mechanisms they govern. This may guide the development of new interventions.
Next-Generation Optical Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) for long-haul telecommunications: building on recent research and commercialisation success. The provision of Broadband Internet services to the home also requires extremely-fast 'backbone' connections between cities to carry the additional traffic demands.
In a previous project funded by the ARC, Monash researchers developed Optical-Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) technology to increase the information- ....Next-Generation Optical Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) for long-haul telecommunications: building on recent research and commercialisation success. The provision of Broadband Internet services to the home also requires extremely-fast 'backbone' connections between cities to carry the additional traffic demands.
In a previous project funded by the ARC, Monash researchers developed Optical-Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) technology to increase the information-carrying capacity of optical fibers simply by plugging in new circuit boards at exchanges. This is now being commercialised by a new Australian company, to considerable international acclaim. This project aims to provide the next generation of this technology, which will support even faster internet and will ensure the long-term future of Australian telecommunications manufacturing.
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Genomic Approaches To Understand And Control The Emergence Of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus Faecium (VREfm) In Australia.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$756,163.00
Summary
VRE is a serious hospital superbug that has been increasing in many major hospitals around Australia, while at the same time MRSA (Golden Staph) infections have been decreasing. This project will find out why VRE is increasing by examining what happens to patients at a major Australian hospital from their time of admission to the onset of infection with VRE. At the end of the project we will have the first real understanding of how VRE is transmitted so we can develop effective infection control ....VRE is a serious hospital superbug that has been increasing in many major hospitals around Australia, while at the same time MRSA (Golden Staph) infections have been decreasing. This project will find out why VRE is increasing by examining what happens to patients at a major Australian hospital from their time of admission to the onset of infection with VRE. At the end of the project we will have the first real understanding of how VRE is transmitted so we can develop effective infection control measures.Read moreRead less
Embedded Dispersion Measurement for Fibre Optic Transport Systems. This project addresses an important problem in long-haul optical transport systems and a solution would simplify the deployment, faultfinding and operation of these systems. A positive outcome may lead to an opportunity to license the technology to existing equipment manufacturers. Furthermore, the proposed solution involves optical and electronic technology that is within the capability of Australian industry. There will also ....Embedded Dispersion Measurement for Fibre Optic Transport Systems. This project addresses an important problem in long-haul optical transport systems and a solution would simplify the deployment, faultfinding and operation of these systems. A positive outcome may lead to an opportunity to license the technology to existing equipment manufacturers. Furthermore, the proposed solution involves optical and electronic technology that is within the capability of Australian industry. There will also be the more certain but indirect benefit the research in this project will provide additional stimulus to active and established research community in Australia working on optical devices, subsystems and systems.Read moreRead less
A Trial Of A Multidisciplinary, Group Based Intervention To Meet The Needs Of Men With Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$524,285.00
Summary
This study will test an innovative approach to meeting the physical and psychosocial needs of men with early stage prostate cancer using a randomised controlled trial. This novel approach involves a combination of individual and group-based consultations which encourages peer-to-peer support, promotes self-care and enhances appropriate multidisciplinary referrals and communication. It provides a new model of care for patients with chronic diseases that can be translated into clinical practice.
Predictors And Correlates Of Health-related Quality Of Life And Morbidity In Overweight/obese Adolescents: Cohort Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$512,525.00
Summary
There is now no doubting the size and long-term risks to health of the childhood obesity epidemic. However, very little research has examined at population level its immediate consequences for mental health and physical functioning, what pathways confer risk and protection for these consequences, and their likely healthcare consequences. This study will utilise an existing cohort of approximately 1500 Victorian adolescents followed since childhood to examine neglected aspects of the genesis and ....There is now no doubting the size and long-term risks to health of the childhood obesity epidemic. However, very little research has examined at population level its immediate consequences for mental health and physical functioning, what pathways confer risk and protection for these consequences, and their likely healthcare consequences. This study will utilise an existing cohort of approximately 1500 Victorian adolescents followed since childhood to examine neglected aspects of the genesis and impacts of overweight and obesity. The Health of Young Victorians Study was originally assembled in 1997 when the children were in Grades Prep-3. In addition to information on putative risk and protective factors for overweight-obesity and direct measures of height and weight, it is unique in having collected data on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) since children were first recruited during the early primary school years. Eight years after the first wave, the children will be adolescents in Grades 8-11. This third wave will retain a focus on HRQoL. Innovations include study of potential emotional, behavioural and physical consequences of childhood obesity that may in turn affect the natural history of obesity. This large, population-based longitudinal study will redress neglected aspects of child and adolescent overweight-obesity specifically identified in 2003 by the NH and MRC. As well as establishing whether a range of common problems are related to overweight-obesity, it will be able to shed light on mechanisms of adverse outcomes associated with adolescent overweight-obesity, and study protective factors predicting remitting overweight from childhood to adolescence that may inform preventive activities. The study will make an international contribution to knowledge about pathways, prevalence and preventive opportunities for child and adolescent overweight-obesity.Read moreRead less
The Importance Of Receptor Trafficking For Signalling Of Pain And Inflammation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$787,604.00
Summary
Inflammation and pain are normal processes that are essential for survival: inflammation fights infections and pain allows avoidance of danger. These processes are normally tightly controlled and are transient. During disease, they become dysregulated and chronic. By understanding the normal processes of inflammation and pain, and by determining how dysregulation causes disease, we aim to develop new treatments for diseases that are a major cause of human suffering.
Novel Approaches For Activation And Expansion Of Genetically Modified T Cells In Vivo
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$115,660.00
Summary
Killer T lymphocytes can penetrate tumors and their propagation and transfer into cancer patients has demonstrated some encouraging results, but this form of adoptive immunotherapy remains ineffective in most cancer patients. We propose to improve the tumor trafficking and anti-tumor activities of killer cells by genetically engineering them with proteins that will enable them to recognise and destroy cancer cells. Our previous work has indicated that killer T lymphocytes can be genetically engi ....Killer T lymphocytes can penetrate tumors and their propagation and transfer into cancer patients has demonstrated some encouraging results, but this form of adoptive immunotherapy remains ineffective in most cancer patients. We propose to improve the tumor trafficking and anti-tumor activities of killer cells by genetically engineering them with proteins that will enable them to recognise and destroy cancer cells. Our previous work has indicated that killer T lymphocytes can be genetically engineered in culture with tumor recognition receptors. When transferred into mice, these genetically engineered cells can release toxic and inflammatory proteins that cause tumor destruction. In this proposal we wish to further test this approach in mice by enginneering the mouse killer T cells with (i) receptors that provide stronger signals for killing and proliferation; and (ii) with receptors targeting other structures on tumor cells including the tumor vasculature as a means to overcome tumor escape. In addition, we wish to test a novel approach of combining both genetic engineering and vaccination strategies for expanding gene-modified cells after adoptive transfer. These studies will allow the best receptor genes to be transferred to human white blood cells and examined for anti-tumor effects in immune-deficient mice.Read moreRead less