Light-responsive nanomaterials as nanomedicines: new approaches to treating macular degeneration, cancer and other critical unmet therapeutic needs. Nanotechnology is enabling new medicines for the treatment of important diseases such as cancer and macular degeneration. This project will investigate novel nanomaterials for the development of new highly effective medicines that can be controlled after administration, leading to reduced side effects and increased convenience for patients.
Structure And Function Of Antimicrobial Therapies And Their Interaction With Upper Respiratory Biofilms
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,891.00
Summary
Bacterial infections of the upper respiratory tract are a major public health problem affecting millions of Australians. Commonly prescribed antibiotics are often not able to eradicate all bacteria as the bacteria often reside in a protective, self-produced gel-like matrix known as biofilm. This Fellowship aims to unravel the interaction of modern anti-infective therapeutics with the biofilm for the development of the next generation of safe and efficacious anti-biofilm strategies.
Targeting particulate carriers to epithelial M cells. This project aims to develop and validate an advanced in vitro model of the human intestinal epithelium. The intestine-on-chip model should enable mechanistic studies of the uptake of nano- and micron-size particles by intestinal cells and deliver new insights into the way particulate carriers can be specifically targeted and transported across the intestinal epithelium. Project knowledge and technology are anticipated to generate new commerc ....Targeting particulate carriers to epithelial M cells. This project aims to develop and validate an advanced in vitro model of the human intestinal epithelium. The intestine-on-chip model should enable mechanistic studies of the uptake of nano- and micron-size particles by intestinal cells and deliver new insights into the way particulate carriers can be specifically targeted and transported across the intestinal epithelium. Project knowledge and technology are anticipated to generate new commercialisation opportunities in the oral delivery industry and ultimately, should drive the development of efficient oral formulations for biologics. The model should also reduce the need for animal studies.Read moreRead less
Using a battery of tests to evaluate the potential toxicity of remediated and unremediated soils and dusts contaminated with metals. An in vitro model simulating the intact and immature infant intestinal epithelium will be used to determine the changes in solubility and uptake of metals following in situ remediation processes. The earthworm and bacterial luminescence toxicity tests indicate the ecotoxicity of contaminated soils.
Many garden soils, household dusts, and industrial sites are conta ....Using a battery of tests to evaluate the potential toxicity of remediated and unremediated soils and dusts contaminated with metals. An in vitro model simulating the intact and immature infant intestinal epithelium will be used to determine the changes in solubility and uptake of metals following in situ remediation processes. The earthworm and bacterial luminescence toxicity tests indicate the ecotoxicity of contaminated soils.
Many garden soils, household dusts, and industrial sites are contaminated with lead, cadmium, and other metals. These pose a risk to human health, especially of children, and ecosystem health
These tests will be applied to prioritise sites where metal contamination exists and to evaluate the effectiveness of remediation techniques in reducing metal uptake and toxicity.Read moreRead less
Drug Targeting to Immune Cells Using Modified Inulin Particles. Vaxine Pty Ltd is an Australian biotechnology company that has discovered specific particulate forms of inulin that are efficiently internalised by human immune cells. This project aims to exploit cell migration to injury and infection sites by attaching drugs to inulin particles creating a targeted drug delivery system. This system will transport drugs specifically to afflicted areas, reducing systemic concentrations of drugs and h ....Drug Targeting to Immune Cells Using Modified Inulin Particles. Vaxine Pty Ltd is an Australian biotechnology company that has discovered specific particulate forms of inulin that are efficiently internalised by human immune cells. This project aims to exploit cell migration to injury and infection sites by attaching drugs to inulin particles creating a targeted drug delivery system. This system will transport drugs specifically to afflicted areas, reducing systemic concentrations of drugs and hence the risks of dose related side effects. This project has potential both to improve healthcare and to encourage the growth of expertise in the biotechnology industry in Australia.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Training Centres - Grant ID: IC170100016
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,123,492.00
Summary
ARC Training Centre for Personalised Therapeutics Technologies. The ARC Training Centre for Personalised Therapeutics Technologies aims to create and develop the skills and technology to benefit from the transformative impacts that cell/organ-on-a-chip technology will have on the medtech/pharma industries. By combining microfluidics-based/real-time technologies with personalised medicine the Training Centre will provide industry growth opportunities through improved screening of potential therap ....ARC Training Centre for Personalised Therapeutics Technologies. The ARC Training Centre for Personalised Therapeutics Technologies aims to create and develop the skills and technology to benefit from the transformative impacts that cell/organ-on-a-chip technology will have on the medtech/pharma industries. By combining microfluidics-based/real-time technologies with personalised medicine the Training Centre will provide industry growth opportunities through improved screening of potential therapeutics. The use of an individual patient’s cellular and molecular research findings will ultimately enable personalised diagnostic and therapeutic decisions.Read moreRead less
Topical peptide delivery for cosmetic and therapeutic benefits. Milk is a major Australian agricultural commodity and is now used in a number of topical products for the management of various skin conditions including chafing in babies, eczema and ageing skin. Hence, this work hopes to contribute to promoting and maintaining good health of Australians.
In addition, there is considerable research being conducted on peptide development for a range of diseases and there may be a possibility of ....Topical peptide delivery for cosmetic and therapeutic benefits. Milk is a major Australian agricultural commodity and is now used in a number of topical products for the management of various skin conditions including chafing in babies, eczema and ageing skin. Hence, this work hopes to contribute to promoting and maintaining good health of Australians.
In addition, there is considerable research being conducted on peptide development for a range of diseases and there may be a possibility of delivering these by the skin.
This work, in seeking to understand some of the fundamental determinants governing how exogenously applied peptides distribute in the skin, is also contributing to the development of Australian pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.Read moreRead less
Using Online Social Technologies To Improve Health Behaviour
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,048.00
Summary
Physical inactivity and poor eating habits are leading causes of death and disease in Australia. Our health behaviours are influenced by our social networks. What’s more, Australians love social technologies, such as Facebook and smartphones. My research aims to harness these two factors to create socially-influential health programs. I will work with video game developers to develop fun and engaging interventions, and a viral marketer and leading organisations to spread the interventions.
Harnessing lipid nano-assembly for next generation functional foods and pharmaceutical products. Nature assembles lipid molecules from our diet into useful structures in our gastrointestinal tract with remarkable precision and versatility. By understanding and harnessing these processes we can design new lipid-based nanomaterials leading to more effective functional foods and pharmaceutical products with reduced side effects.
Engineering Hybrid Materials with Functional Bioactivity in the GI Tract. This project aims to use an advanced particle engineering approach to develop novel biomaterials with multifunctional activities in the gastrointestinal tract. The project expects to generate new fundamental knowledge of the key interfacial processes that control digestion and identify new pathways for modulating gut microbiome composition. By establishing structure-activity relationships through mechanistic in vitro and i ....Engineering Hybrid Materials with Functional Bioactivity in the GI Tract. This project aims to use an advanced particle engineering approach to develop novel biomaterials with multifunctional activities in the gastrointestinal tract. The project expects to generate new fundamental knowledge of the key interfacial processes that control digestion and identify new pathways for modulating gut microbiome composition. By establishing structure-activity relationships through mechanistic in vitro and in vivo models, the knowledge gain will help guide material design for optimised bioactivity. Technology transfer of the lead formulation through quality by design manufacturing practice is anticipated to position the industry partner for future commercial opportunities within the nutraceutical sector.Read moreRead less