Prediction of fruit quality by non-invasive assessment, with special reference to avocado. The project aims to develop non-invasive rapid assessment techniques of avocado quality (dry matter percentage, oil content, susceptibility to rots) suitable for application in at-line, in-line and in-field settings using NIR spectroscopic methods. The development and introduction of these non-invasive technologies into the avocado industry will allow rapid low-cost testing to support existing quality con ....Prediction of fruit quality by non-invasive assessment, with special reference to avocado. The project aims to develop non-invasive rapid assessment techniques of avocado quality (dry matter percentage, oil content, susceptibility to rots) suitable for application in at-line, in-line and in-field settings using NIR spectroscopic methods. The development and introduction of these non-invasive technologies into the avocado industry will allow rapid low-cost testing to support existing quality control procedures. The technology has the potential to enhance the competitive advantage of Australian producers/processors by guaranteeing high quality and optimising shelf-life. The ability to deliver a differentiated product will maximise sales in existing markets and facilitate the targeting of new domestic and overseas markets.Read moreRead less
EPIGENETIC REPROGRAMMING OF MALIGNANT BREAST CANCER
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$863,268.00
Summary
Poorly differentiated breast cancers are aggressive tumors, frequently resistant to chemotherapy and associated with high morbidity. Herein we propose the engineering of more selective therapeutic agents able to target the genes involved in cancer initiation and resistance to treatment. We aim to correct and reprogram the cancer cell genome in state that is similar to normal, not tumorigenic cells. This work will generate novel forms of treatment for cancers that are presently not curable.
Cognitive Impairments And Post Traumatic Stress Symptoms In Children With Traumatic Brain Injury: A Longitudinal Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$482,250.00
Summary
Traumatic brain injury in children is common with more than 2000 new cases a year in Queensland and Victoria alone. Many children who experience a brain injury go on to have long-term difficulties such as significant educational and social problems. Post-traumatic stress occurs in children following traumatic physical injury. However it is not clear to what extent this is so for children who have received a traumatic brain injury. Furthermore, when there is a traumatic brain injury and traumatic ....Traumatic brain injury in children is common with more than 2000 new cases a year in Queensland and Victoria alone. Many children who experience a brain injury go on to have long-term difficulties such as significant educational and social problems. Post-traumatic stress occurs in children following traumatic physical injury. However it is not clear to what extent this is so for children who have received a traumatic brain injury. Furthermore, when there is a traumatic brain injury and traumatic stress, it is not clear how these interact, how they influence long-term outcomes, and what factors such as pre-injury functioning and family support and distress mediate outcomes. These issues are very important since effective rehabilitation of children following traumatic brain injury is essential to maximise long-term functioning and minimise disability. To be effective, rehabilitation must be guided by the knowledge about key factors that determine the recovery process. This study aims to provide answers to these questions by following two cohorts of children (aged 6-14) over 18 months after receiving a traumatic brain injury. In total 240 children will be recruited from Brisbane and Melbourne hospitals. They will be assessed at three, six, twelve and eighteen months post-injury using measures of cognitive, psychological and social functioning. Information on parent distress and behaviours will also be obtained. The information obtained will provide the basis for the development of a specific rehabilitation strategy for children with traumatic brain injury, including information on strategies to help prevent any confounding impact of post-traumatic stress on recovery.Read moreRead less
Structural And Functional Analysis Of A Cancer-linked Co-regulator Complex
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$729,571.00
Summary
We seek to understand the mechanisms by which genes are switched on and off throughout our lifetime. A number of multi-component protein machines are involved in this process but their make-up and mechanism of action is not understood. We will investigate the structure and function of one of these machines that has been strongly linked to cancer.
Post-GWAS Functional Characterisation Of Breast Cancer Susceptibility Loci
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$764,632.00
Summary
Recent studies have identified regions within the human genome in which DNA sequence variations are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Several of these regions do not contain any known genes, suggesting that regulatory DNA sequences are responsible for the associated risk. The aim of this proposal is to identify and characterise these DNA sequences. Understanding how sequences variations in these regions contribute to breast cancer will provide novel avenues for therapy.
High-throughput Identification And Evaluation Of New Breast Cancer Genes From GWAS.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$841,075.00
Summary
Recent studies have identified DNA markers within the human genome that are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Most of these markers are located in noncoding regions, therefore the key genes driving risk are not known. This proposal will identify the target genes at all breast cancer risk regions and assess how specific markers affect disease risk. Understanding how DNA variation contributes to breast cancer will provide new avenues for prevention or treatment.
Establishing the role of heterotrimeric G-proteins in plant defence. Agriculture is an important economic activity in Australia that resulting in considerable export revenues. Agricultural losses caused by plant pathogens account for millions of dollars every year and have profound economic and social implications.
The proposed research will explore new approaches to increase plant resistance to pathogens using a previously unkown component of this network: G-proteins and could ultimately reduc ....Establishing the role of heterotrimeric G-proteins in plant defence. Agriculture is an important economic activity in Australia that resulting in considerable export revenues. Agricultural losses caused by plant pathogens account for millions of dollars every year and have profound economic and social implications.
The proposed research will explore new approaches to increase plant resistance to pathogens using a previously unkown component of this network: G-proteins and could ultimately reduce dependency on toxic chemical products.Read moreRead less
The importance of price and perceived quality to the demand for fresh fruits and vegetables. It is estimated that the direct and indirect cost of diet-related diseases to Australia is between $2-3 billion per annum. One of the most important things that can be done to prevent diet-related disease is to encourage the population to eat more fruits and vegetables. The aim of this project is to examine the effect of price and perceived quality on the type and quantity of fruits and vegetables cons ....The importance of price and perceived quality to the demand for fresh fruits and vegetables. It is estimated that the direct and indirect cost of diet-related diseases to Australia is between $2-3 billion per annum. One of the most important things that can be done to prevent diet-related disease is to encourage the population to eat more fruits and vegetables. The aim of this project is to examine the effect of price and perceived quality on the type and quantity of fruits and vegetables consumed, especially among low-income households. The project will employ modelling techniques that are novel to this product group and that will provide valuable insights to the constraints and opportunities for increasing fruits and vegetables intake, as well as benchmarks for future research.Read moreRead less
Development of bagasse fly ash adsorbent for the removal of impurities in sugar process streams. High quality raw sugar attracts a premium and is important in maintaining market access in these times of increasing competition and excess production from overseas producers. Options that are in current use in Australia for the removal of colour and impurities are not very cost effective. This research will develop a sugarcane waste (fly ash) into an adsorbent for the removal of these impurities. Th ....Development of bagasse fly ash adsorbent for the removal of impurities in sugar process streams. High quality raw sugar attracts a premium and is important in maintaining market access in these times of increasing competition and excess production from overseas producers. Options that are in current use in Australia for the removal of colour and impurities are not very cost effective. This research will develop a sugarcane waste (fly ash) into an adsorbent for the removal of these impurities. This will enable the sugar industry and rural communities to become more sustainable through enhanced competitiveness and diversification through co-generation and value-added products. This project will also reduce the disposal costs ($2 M/y) for the sugar industry and minimize environmental pollution due to the use of a waste product.Read moreRead less