ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology. The CoE in Convergent Bio-Nano Science &Technology comprises a multi-disciplinary team focused on research aiming to understand and control the interface of materials with biological systems. The Centre will exploit knowledge of the bio-nano interface to design materials that transport and deliver vaccines, drugs and gene therapy agents, and to design new diagnostic agents and devices. Nanomedicines are on the cusp of revol ....ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology. The CoE in Convergent Bio-Nano Science &Technology comprises a multi-disciplinary team focused on research aiming to understand and control the interface of materials with biological systems. The Centre will exploit knowledge of the bio-nano interface to design materials that transport and deliver vaccines, drugs and gene therapy agents, and to design new diagnostic agents and devices. Nanomedicines are on the cusp of revolutionizing diagnosis and therapy in many diseases. The CoE will be the focus of bio-nano research activity in Australia, uniting universities, research agencies, institutes and companies. The expected outcomes are better diagnostic and therapeutic tools designed via an enhanced understanding of the bio-nano-interface.Read moreRead less
The Genetic Basis of Differences Between the Sexes. Improved medical interventions against genetic disorders like cancer are made possible by advances in fundamental understanding of gene function and, especially, genetic mechanisms (like genomic imprinting) that are directly implicated in these disorders. Furthermore, an understanding of environmental effects within and across generations is vital in an age of global climate change. Recent theory and evidence suggest that research on sexually d ....The Genetic Basis of Differences Between the Sexes. Improved medical interventions against genetic disorders like cancer are made possible by advances in fundamental understanding of gene function and, especially, genetic mechanisms (like genomic imprinting) that are directly implicated in these disorders. Furthermore, an understanding of environmental effects within and across generations is vital in an age of global climate change. Recent theory and evidence suggest that research on sexually dimorphic traits may hold a key to a better understanding of these phenomena. The proposed research will strengthen Australia's position as leader in evolutionary genetics, enhance knowledge of native fauna, and improve our understanding of biological phenomena that affect human health. Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0668246
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$400,000.00
Summary
Advanced Cell Labelling and Imaging Facility. Understanding the genetic regulation of cellular processes such as migration, differentiation and growth is an important frontier technology with significant biomedical potential. The Australian community is facing an increasing need to provide solutions for a variety of human diseases and disorders, including birth defects, nervous system injury and stroke, and ageing-related conditions. The proposed facility will allow researchers to test in vivo g ....Advanced Cell Labelling and Imaging Facility. Understanding the genetic regulation of cellular processes such as migration, differentiation and growth is an important frontier technology with significant biomedical potential. The Australian community is facing an increasing need to provide solutions for a variety of human diseases and disorders, including birth defects, nervous system injury and stroke, and ageing-related conditions. The proposed facility will allow researchers to test in vivo gene/pharmaceutical therapies as well as to better understand the genetic regulation of normal cellular processes. Read moreRead less
Identification of functionally important autophosphorylation site(s) on ataxia telangiectasia and Rad 3 - related (ATR) protein kinase. The integrity of our genetic material must be maintained so that it can be passed on from one generation to the next and also to minimize the risk of cancer and other pathologies in an individual. There are multiple proteins involved in protecting our DNA including several enzymes that detect and signal DNA damage to a series of pathways involved in halting the ....Identification of functionally important autophosphorylation site(s) on ataxia telangiectasia and Rad 3 - related (ATR) protein kinase. The integrity of our genetic material must be maintained so that it can be passed on from one generation to the next and also to minimize the risk of cancer and other pathologies in an individual. There are multiple proteins involved in protecting our DNA including several enzymes that detect and signal DNA damage to a series of pathways involved in halting the passage of cells through the cell cycle so that repair can occur. This project studies the mechanism of action of one of these enzymes which will be of benefit in designing new compounds to fight disease. Read moreRead less
The characterization of tiny Ribonucleic acids in animal epigenetics. Epigenetics, the inheritance of traits not encoded in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), is not well understood in animals. This project will investigate two classes of Ribonucleic acid (RNA) that may form part of an animal-specific epigenetic regulatory system. This study could revolutionize our understanding of animal genetics.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0453920
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$108,680.00
Summary
Molecular diagnostics based on real-time polymerase chain reactions for emerging tropical infectious diseases aimed at protecting Australia from invasive diseases. The project aims to use the technique of real-time polymerase chain reaction to rapidly detect and quantify the organisms associated with emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases of man and animals. It will also be used to determine related gene expression.
The equipment will be used to support a wide range of projects that req ....Molecular diagnostics based on real-time polymerase chain reactions for emerging tropical infectious diseases aimed at protecting Australia from invasive diseases. The project aims to use the technique of real-time polymerase chain reaction to rapidly detect and quantify the organisms associated with emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases of man and animals. It will also be used to determine related gene expression.
The equipment will be used to support a wide range of projects that require the detection of specific RNA or DNA and it will allow the rapid, cost effective and efficient processing of either RNA or DNA from large numbers of samples. Minor variations in organisms will be detected using this equipment.
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Detection and viability of waterborne pathogens using a gut-on-chip. This project aims to resolve a significant problem for water utilities. Microbial pathogens Cryptosporidium, norovirus and adenovirus are the main public health concern for drinking water in developed nations. Water monitoring is limited by the lack of fast, reliable detection methods and viability assays for these pathogens. This project will use a novel gut-on-a-chip to develop for the first time rapid infectivity assays for ....Detection and viability of waterborne pathogens using a gut-on-chip. This project aims to resolve a significant problem for water utilities. Microbial pathogens Cryptosporidium, norovirus and adenovirus are the main public health concern for drinking water in developed nations. Water monitoring is limited by the lack of fast, reliable detection methods and viability assays for these pathogens. This project will use a novel gut-on-a-chip to develop for the first time rapid infectivity assays for Cryptosporidium, norovirus and adenovirus. Significant benefits include improved diagnostics and water disinfection assays, improved water treatment and reduced costs with global impact.Read moreRead less
Cytorefractometry - a new technique for refractive index tomography of living cells. An ultrahigh-resolution bifocal optical coherence refractometry is proposed, and will result to micron-scale-resolution refractive index tomography of living cells, termed cytorefractometry. This technique represents an extension from bifocal optical coherence refractometry that has recently shown a remarkable promise for direct, several-frames-per-second, motion-artifact-free determination of refractive index ....Cytorefractometry - a new technique for refractive index tomography of living cells. An ultrahigh-resolution bifocal optical coherence refractometry is proposed, and will result to micron-scale-resolution refractive index tomography of living cells, termed cytorefractometry. This technique represents an extension from bifocal optical coherence refractometry that has recently shown a remarkable promise for direct, several-frames-per-second, motion-artifact-free determination of refractive index in turbid media, including biological tissue in vivo. We propose to apply our novel technique to study tissue calcification, a serious problem in cardiology, by making use of the refractive index contrast mechanism. Calcification of smooth muscle cells and aorta subdermal implant models will be studied aiming for prevention of calcification-associated pathologies.Read moreRead less
Improving Treatment Strategies For Chronic Alphaviral Arthritic Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$643,624.00
Summary
Chikungunya virus and Ross River virus cause epidemics of acute and chronic arthritic disease in humans, which is often poorly managed with current treatments. This grant seeks to understand the mechanisms that give rise to disease in order to identify improved treatment strategies. Both the persistence of viral replication in joint tissues and unnecessary inflammatory responses appear to be important factors driving chronic disease.
Improving Health Outcomes In The Tropical North: A Multidisciplinary Collaboration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,997,916.00
Summary
Improving Health Outcomes in the Tropical North will strengthen partnerships with research institutions in the NT, Qld, WA, NSW, Vic and SA, by undertaking a research agenda that will help close the gap in Indigenous health disadvantage, protect the north from emerging infectious threats and engage regional neighbours. We will establish a northern Australian network that incorporates Indigenous engagement, mentoring and knowledge translation, and facilitates collaboration with southern partners.