Rhinovirus impairs physiological and immunological lung development and causes exacerbation of allergic airways disease. Rhinovirus (RV) infections account for around 90 per cent of asthma exacerbations, yet the mechanisms behind this are unknown. This project will use mouse models to study the effects of early life RV infection and allergic sensitisation on respiratory and immunological development, with the expectation that early life RV infection disrupts anitgen presenting cell function.
A hierarchical quantum mechanical and classical simulation of biological ion channels. I aim to develop a methodology incorporating molecular quantum
mechanics and classical Brownian mechanics in a way that can be
applied practically to large macromolecular systems, thus relating
fine structural details to experimentally measurable
properties. Specifically, I will apply this methodology to study ion
channels in which the challenge is to relate electronic and atomic
structure to the conduct ....A hierarchical quantum mechanical and classical simulation of biological ion channels. I aim to develop a methodology incorporating molecular quantum
mechanics and classical Brownian mechanics in a way that can be
applied practically to large macromolecular systems, thus relating
fine structural details to experimentally measurable
properties. Specifically, I will apply this methodology to study ion
channels in which the challenge is to relate electronic and atomic
structure to the conductance properties of the channel. Accurately
determining these relationships provides a pathway to developing cures
for many neurological, cardiac, and muscular diseases.
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Broad spectrum nanomedicine for Meningitis treatment. Brain inflammatory diseases are among the top ten infectious causes of death. The project aims to provide Australian doctors with a superior alternative of treating infections that do not respond to conventional antibiotics. The nanomedicine developed will reduce the burden of hospital and boost Australia economy in the biomedical sector.
Addressing hepatitis C-related discrimination in a post-cure world. This project aims to address the legal and policy dimensions of hepatitis C discrimination. Hepatitis C is a major public health challenge linked to profound discrimination, including in law and policy. Treatments introduced in 2016 improved cure rates; optimism about disease elimination is high, but questions remain about discrimination faced by those who are cured. This interdisciplinary project’s goal is to generate new knowl ....Addressing hepatitis C-related discrimination in a post-cure world. This project aims to address the legal and policy dimensions of hepatitis C discrimination. Hepatitis C is a major public health challenge linked to profound discrimination, including in law and policy. Treatments introduced in 2016 improved cure rates; optimism about disease elimination is high, but questions remain about discrimination faced by those who are cured. This interdisciplinary project’s goal is to generate new knowledge about hepatitis C discrimination in a post-cure context, and identify opportunities for legal and policy reform. Expected outcomes of the project include better legal, social and policy outcomes for Australians cured of hepatitis C, significantly benefiting these individuals directly and society more broadly.Read moreRead less
Lived experiences of treatment for hepatitis C in Australia. This project aims to support uptake of new hepatitis C treatments. With the introduction of new treatments in 2016, the Australian Government adopted the WHO’s goal of eliminating the disease by 2030. While early treatment rates were high, they have since plateaued, with stigma and poor information considered key obstacles. This project will generate new knowledge on treatment decisions and experiences, using a proven qualitative metho ....Lived experiences of treatment for hepatitis C in Australia. This project aims to support uptake of new hepatitis C treatments. With the introduction of new treatments in 2016, the Australian Government adopted the WHO’s goal of eliminating the disease by 2030. While early treatment rates were high, they have since plateaued, with stigma and poor information considered key obstacles. This project will generate new knowledge on treatment decisions and experiences, using a proven qualitative methodology. In doing so, it will produce a website covering personal experiences of treatment, issues in treatment decision-making, and advice on enhancing life on treatment and after. It will tackle hepatitis C-related stigma, and inform and benefit potential treatment users, families and relevant professionals.
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Using viral inhibitors to understand the regualtion of apoptosis. Apoptosis is a form of cell death that is critical for the development and well-being of multicellular organisms. The activity of Bak or Bax, two members of the Bcl-2 family, are essential for apoptosis to proceed, but how the activity of these two proteins is regulated is unclear. Many viruses encode inhibitors of apoptosis and the project will make use of two novel viral inhibitors that specifically target Bak. The project aims ....Using viral inhibitors to understand the regualtion of apoptosis. Apoptosis is a form of cell death that is critical for the development and well-being of multicellular organisms. The activity of Bak or Bax, two members of the Bcl-2 family, are essential for apoptosis to proceed, but how the activity of these two proteins is regulated is unclear. Many viruses encode inhibitors of apoptosis and the project will make use of two novel viral inhibitors that specifically target Bak. The project aims to determine how the Bak inhibitors function and to provide valuable insights into the normal mechanisms regulating Bak activity.Read moreRead less
Investigating the molecular basis of T-cell receptor cross-reactivity. This project will explore the basis of unexpected immune reactions whereby the immune system mistakes one molecular structure for another, a phenomenon known as cross-reactivity. This project will examine how often this is due to molecular mimicry, potentially explaining why immune T cells sometimes react inappropriately to different agents.
Modelling and Measurement of Flow-Structure Dynamics in the Human Upper Airway. Sleep disruption due to the common and disabling conditions of snoring and obstruction of the human upper airway can result in chronic fatigue, lost work and accidents caused by daytime drowsiness. To date the behaviour of the upper airway has not been adequately studied in terms able to reveal the mechanical causes of these conditions. This deficiency is addressed through the development and use of simulation tools ....Modelling and Measurement of Flow-Structure Dynamics in the Human Upper Airway. Sleep disruption due to the common and disabling conditions of snoring and obstruction of the human upper airway can result in chronic fatigue, lost work and accidents caused by daytime drowsiness. To date the behaviour of the upper airway has not been adequately studied in terms able to reveal the mechanical causes of these conditions. This deficiency is addressed through the development and use of simulation tools and measurement techniques that will elucidate the flow-structure dynamics leading to new diagnostic and improved treatment methods. Simulating the effect of treatment on any individual will permit it to be chosen to maximise its efficacy for a problem that costs the nation an estimated $2 Billion per year in lost productivity.Read moreRead less
Impact of shear stress on vascular adaptations in humans. Large arteries are important for the delivery of blood and oxygen to organs such as the heart and brain. A primary physiological stimulus which controls the size and function of these crucial arteries is the magnitude of flow or, more accurately, shear force that the inner wall of the artery is exposed to. We have developed novel software which enables non-invasive assessment of arterial wall velocity, diameter and blood flow. We will ass ....Impact of shear stress on vascular adaptations in humans. Large arteries are important for the delivery of blood and oxygen to organs such as the heart and brain. A primary physiological stimulus which controls the size and function of these crucial arteries is the magnitude of flow or, more accurately, shear force that the inner wall of the artery is exposed to. We have developed novel software which enables non-invasive assessment of arterial wall velocity, diameter and blood flow. We will assess the impact of acute and chronic changes in wall flow and shear on arterial size and function. We will also develop new software which measures other aspects of artery wall behaviour. These basic human physiology studies have direct implications for assessment of artery health in humans.Read moreRead less
The molecular role of ADAM12 in maintenance of skeletal muscle, myogenesis and adipogenesis. An understanding of the molecular control of skeletal muscle growth, maintenance and balance between muscle and fat production is of fundamental importance for a competitive meat industry, for the promotion of strong muscles in the ageing population and for disorders such as muscle diseases, diabetes and obesity. This project will enhance strong international collaborations and expand cutting-edge resear ....The molecular role of ADAM12 in maintenance of skeletal muscle, myogenesis and adipogenesis. An understanding of the molecular control of skeletal muscle growth, maintenance and balance between muscle and fat production is of fundamental importance for a competitive meat industry, for the promotion of strong muscles in the ageing population and for disorders such as muscle diseases, diabetes and obesity. This project will enhance strong international collaborations and expand cutting-edge research within Australia with many potential economic benefits for the meat industry, biotechnology and health. The expertise developed by this pioneering research will ensure that Australia is well placed to harness new technologies and exploit future advances in this fast-moving field of muscle biology.Read moreRead less