The discovery and validation of novel drug classes against parasites with the potential for major economic impacts. This project will develop a quality scientific and technological program in national priority areas, leading to a strong basic research, new concepts and the enhanced international collaborative links; strengthen links between basic and applied research, and academia and industry; develop excellence via pan-Australian collaborations, resulting in a more efficient use of resources i ....The discovery and validation of novel drug classes against parasites with the potential for major economic impacts. This project will develop a quality scientific and technological program in national priority areas, leading to a strong basic research, new concepts and the enhanced international collaborative links; strengthen links between basic and applied research, and academia and industry; develop excellence via pan-Australian collaborations, resulting in a more efficient use of resources in a national and international context; enhance the skills-base in biology, biotechnology and chemistry; increase global visibility with increased investment in Australian science; improve animal welfare and production via improved control of infectious diseases; producing commercial products with benefits to agricultural producers in regional & rural communities.Read moreRead less
The Design of New Integrase Inhibitors Targeting HIV-1. There is still no cure in sight for the worldwide HIV pandemic and the worsening viral resistance problem creates a need to find new and novel compounds for therapeutic use. This project aims to design and synthesize new anti-HIV drugs by targeting two separate enzymes within the HIV life-cycle. This 'dual-action' approach of designing a single molecular scaffold to target separate enzymes would enable a synergistic effect while minimizing ....The Design of New Integrase Inhibitors Targeting HIV-1. There is still no cure in sight for the worldwide HIV pandemic and the worsening viral resistance problem creates a need to find new and novel compounds for therapeutic use. This project aims to design and synthesize new anti-HIV drugs by targeting two separate enzymes within the HIV life-cycle. This 'dual-action' approach of designing a single molecular scaffold to target separate enzymes would enable a synergistic effect while minimizing development costs. The expected outcomes from this medicinal chemistry project include the discovery of new compounds with the potential for further development as therapeutic agents against HIV.Read moreRead less
The Design and Development of the Next Generation Anti-HIV Drugs. This medicinal chemistry project will develop new computer-aided modelling techniques for drug design and development and will then apply them to the design of new therapeutics for the treatment of HIV-1/AIDS. Once developed, these new techniques can also be applied to other disease targets including various cancers, where specific proteins have been identified as causative. This research will also contribute to the education of y ....The Design and Development of the Next Generation Anti-HIV Drugs. This medicinal chemistry project will develop new computer-aided modelling techniques for drug design and development and will then apply them to the design of new therapeutics for the treatment of HIV-1/AIDS. Once developed, these new techniques can also be applied to other disease targets including various cancers, where specific proteins have been identified as causative. This research will also contribute to the education of young scientists, training them in cutting-edge research skills.Read moreRead less
New Imaging Agents for Neuronal Nicotinic Receptors. Recent advances in medical imaging technology such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) have radically improved the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of diseases. The aim of this project is to discover novel radio-ligands that selectively bind to neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. These ligands will have great potential for the imaging, diagnosis and study of neurodegenerat ....New Imaging Agents for Neuronal Nicotinic Receptors. Recent advances in medical imaging technology such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) have radically improved the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of diseases. The aim of this project is to discover novel radio-ligands that selectively bind to neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. These ligands will have great potential for the imaging, diagnosis and study of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Read moreRead less
The Development of Computer-Aided Molecular Modelling and Drug Design Techniques for Flexible Enzyme Targets - New Anti-HIV Agents. The dynamic motion of proteins upon binding of small molecules is crucial in many cases for the function of the protein or for the function of drugs acting upon the protein. Current methods in computer-aided design of small molecules binding to proteins do not take this protein flexibility fully into account. This project intends to develop molecular dynamics simula ....The Development of Computer-Aided Molecular Modelling and Drug Design Techniques for Flexible Enzyme Targets - New Anti-HIV Agents. The dynamic motion of proteins upon binding of small molecules is crucial in many cases for the function of the protein or for the function of drugs acting upon the protein. Current methods in computer-aided design of small molecules binding to proteins do not take this protein flexibility fully into account. This project intends to develop molecular dynamics simulation techniques for this purpose, initially using the HIV reverse transcriptase enzyme as the target protein. The methods developed will, however, be universally applicable. The project further aims to design, synthesise and test novel medicinal agents specifically against drug resistance in HIV.Read moreRead less
Growing a sustainable new molecular resource. This project will provide access to a unique and unexplored Australian molecular resource pre-programmed by evolution for therapeutic potential. These discoveries will enable important biomedical research and advance the development of new improved drugs that treat a diverse array of human diseases and illness.
Engineered extrasynaptic GABAA receptors: Towards novel analgesics. Engineered extrasynaptic GABAA receptors: Towards novel analgesics. This project intends to alleviate neuropathic pain by developing drugs and good tool molecules targeting GABA-A receptors. About 20% of Australian adults suffer from neuropathic pain. Delta-containing GABA-A receptors represent attractive and novel targets for developing non-opioid analgesics. However, no drugs or good tool molecules target these receptors. This ....Engineered extrasynaptic GABAA receptors: Towards novel analgesics. Engineered extrasynaptic GABAA receptors: Towards novel analgesics. This project intends to alleviate neuropathic pain by developing drugs and good tool molecules targeting GABA-A receptors. About 20% of Australian adults suffer from neuropathic pain. Delta-containing GABA-A receptors represent attractive and novel targets for developing non-opioid analgesics. However, no drugs or good tool molecules target these receptors. This project intends to develop the needed enabling technologies, including screening assays, tool molecules and radioligands; and perform brain slice electrophysiology to confirm activity in neuronal cells. This project is expected to benefit the research community and future rational drug-discovery endeavours for drugs that modulate delta-containing receptors.Read moreRead less
Greening the production of peptides and proteins . This project aims to develop a green and sustainable synthetic platform for the production of peptide and protein molecules. The synthetic methodology that will be developed has the potential to solve a major technological gap in the field by providing an efficient and cost-effective method for manufacturing peptides and proteins with a substantial reduction in reagent and solvent waste over currently employed methods. Expected outcomes include ....Greening the production of peptides and proteins . This project aims to develop a green and sustainable synthetic platform for the production of peptide and protein molecules. The synthetic methodology that will be developed has the potential to solve a major technological gap in the field by providing an efficient and cost-effective method for manufacturing peptides and proteins with a substantial reduction in reagent and solvent waste over currently employed methods. Expected outcomes include the delivery of a breakthrough green technology for accessing high value peptide and protein targets in academia and industry, and the training of industry-ready early career researchers, both of which will benefit Australia’s growing biotechnology and pharmaceutical manufacturing sectors.Read moreRead less
Synthesis of novel biologically active isoflavones. Cancer and heart disease are two of the main diseases that affect our society indiscriminately and put enormous drains on our health-care resources. Therefore, discovery and development of drugs that can treat these diseases are of utmost importance. Given the established success of Novogen Ltd in the development of drugs through to human clinical trials, novel isoflavones proposed in this study may lead to the discovery of new drug leads or t ....Synthesis of novel biologically active isoflavones. Cancer and heart disease are two of the main diseases that affect our society indiscriminately and put enormous drains on our health-care resources. Therefore, discovery and development of drugs that can treat these diseases are of utmost importance. Given the established success of Novogen Ltd in the development of drugs through to human clinical trials, novel isoflavones proposed in this study may lead to the discovery of new drug leads or therapeutic agents. The project has the potential to deliver enormous commercial benefits to Australian industry and social benefits to our ageing population through provision of new, locally produced therapeutics.Read moreRead less
Development and evaluation of novel antibacterial coatings. Infections caused by bacterial biofilms adhering to biomedical implants and devices cause considerable problems in human health care. This project aims to develop a thin coating that can be applied to a wide range of implants and devices to prevent such bacterial infections. The coating is based on novel antibacterials from Australian plants.