Massively Parallel Sequencing And PCR Optimised For DNA-based Diagnostics And Discovery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$201,664.00
Summary
The next generation of medical diagnostics and discovery in disease research will involve the marriage of PCR, a tool used to amplify large amounts of DNA from small starting quantities, and �next generation� sequencing, a way to sequence lots and lots of DNA on a single instrument run. This study aims to describe methods which allow scientists to screen hundreds of disease genes in hundreds of people simultaneously with high accuracy and high efficiency.
Multimodal Woven BioPolymer Fibre Conduits For Remodelling Damaged Peripheral Nerve
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$686,901.00
Summary
Damage to peripheral nerve arises as a result of trauma or disease ranging in severity from mild to severe incapacitation. Currently surgeons remove healthy nerve from individuals with nerve damage to repair more important priority nerves. We aim to create an effective implant for nerve repair that totally degrades leaving behind the regenerated nerve. This will eliminate the need for nerve harvesting as well as restoring lost nerve function in individuals with nerve injury.
Transport Pathways Of Host-derived Iron In Schistosomes Parasites
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$322,091.00
Summary
This project will identify the diversity and biological roles of receptors for metabolic iron expressed on the body surface of the parasitic blood flukes (schistosomes) of humans. Schistosomes are a major health problem in many tropical countries and are responsible for significant human morbidity and lost productivity. Adult worms feed on human blood, from which derive amino acids for the production of many hundreds of eggs released per day into the human blood stream. The intense cellular resp ....This project will identify the diversity and biological roles of receptors for metabolic iron expressed on the body surface of the parasitic blood flukes (schistosomes) of humans. Schistosomes are a major health problem in many tropical countries and are responsible for significant human morbidity and lost productivity. Adult worms feed on human blood, from which derive amino acids for the production of many hundreds of eggs released per day into the human blood stream. The intense cellular response induced by parasite eggs trapped in body organs is the major cause of chronic human disease. We have discovered two intriguing phenomena of iron metabolism in schistosomes. Firstly, schistosomes have a greater reliance on iron than many other organisms, storing a surfeit in cells that produce the protein-rich egg shell. Secondly, a major transmembrane iron transporter of the parasites, thought to be involved in the uptake of iron, is found on the parasite external body surface and not in the parasite intestine. The extensive nutritional dependence of these worms on iron and the surface location of mediators of iron uptake raise the exciting possibility that we have uncovered a novel system that might be exploited for vaccine or drug-mediated control of these significant human parasites. If we can dissect the pathways schistosomes use to derive iron from their hosts, we may be able to generate vaccines to block this nutritional pathway, or use drugs to block embryogenesis. This project is a fact-finding mission that asks if the host-interactive tegument of these parasites is a major source of metabolic iron. Molecules we demonstrate to be present on the surface will be tested as vaccine candidates in mouse vaccine trialsRead moreRead less
ROLE OF PROTEASE ACTIVATED RECEPTORS IN CYSTIC FIBROSIS LUNG PATHOLOGY
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$176,521.00
Summary
Cystic fibrosis is a major debilitating disease which eventually kills those with the genetic defect. The lungs of patients become infected with the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Burkolderia cepacia which initiate a chronic and vicious cycle of inflammation resulting in lung failure. Proteases released by the organisms as well as host cells (neutrophils) involved in clearing the infections play a major role in this cycle by causing the release of molecules (cytokines and mediators) from the ....Cystic fibrosis is a major debilitating disease which eventually kills those with the genetic defect. The lungs of patients become infected with the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Burkolderia cepacia which initiate a chronic and vicious cycle of inflammation resulting in lung failure. Proteases released by the organisms as well as host cells (neutrophils) involved in clearing the infections play a major role in this cycle by causing the release of molecules (cytokines and mediators) from the respiratory epithelium. These, in turn, stimulate the movement of neutrophils from the blood to the lung where damage then ensues. How these proteases stimulate release is unclear but studies suggest other proteases involved in inflammation induce release through their interaction with a novel group of protease activated receptors (PAR). In this study, we wish to determine whether PAR are activated or inactivated by host and bacterial proteases commonly seen in the lungs of CF patients. If PAR are activated, it may be possible to develop antagonists which target specific PARS to modulate respiratory epithelial cell function. If inactivated, preservation by adjunct protease inhibitor treatment may be highly beneficial. We will use in vitro technology and cells derived from non-CF and CF patients. This study has great potential in the development of adjunct anti-inflammatory therapy for the treatment of both CF and other inflammatory lung diseases.Read moreRead less
Optimizing Implanted Cell Survival Using A Tissue Engineering Model
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$589,175.00
Summary
Cell therapy and tissue engineering involve the insertion of specific cells into damaged tissues or into a bioraector in a patient's body to generate new replacement tissues. This project seeks to improve two factors associated with inserting cells : 1. The innate survival characteristics of the cells being inserted, and 2. The blood vessel supply at the site of insertion. These techniques will greatly improve the survival of inserted cells.