Novel insecticidal neurotoxins from Australian spider venoms. Insecticidal toxins have considerable potential as novel biopesticides to combat the evolution of widespread insect resistance to classical chemical pesticides. This problem is increasing both in Australia and internationally. This study aims to isolate and pharmacologically characterise potent and selective insecticidal neurotoxins from Australian arachnids. Our laboratories will isolate neurotoxins from spider venoms, determine thei ....Novel insecticidal neurotoxins from Australian spider venoms. Insecticidal toxins have considerable potential as novel biopesticides to combat the evolution of widespread insect resistance to classical chemical pesticides. This problem is increasing both in Australia and internationally. This study aims to isolate and pharmacologically characterise potent and selective insecticidal neurotoxins from Australian arachnids. Our laboratories will isolate neurotoxins from spider venoms, determine their selectivity in insect and mammal bioassays, determine their primary and tertiary structures, and investigate their structure-function relationships by electrophysiological techniques. These functional and structural data will allow the future engineering, by molecular or synthetic procedures, of viral biopesticide analogues with increased potency, stability and selectivity.Read moreRead less
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
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE120100177
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$150,000.00
Summary
A flexible high throughput analytical system for psychopharmacology and drug discovery. A sensitive new liquid chromatography mass spectrometer will enable a team of leading researchers to detect drugs of abuse and therapeutic drugs in the brain and body as well as levels of hormones, peptides and neurotransmitters. This will enhance a large number of projects examining new treatments for addictive disorders and mental illness.
Targeted development of dual action antitumour and antiangiogenic agents using differential and functional proteomics. There is an enormous need to develop more effective and less toxic therapeutic approaches to reduce the social and economic burden of cancer. The recent identification of small molecules that can act by both destroying cancer cells and the blood vessels that carry nutrients to them has provided a unique opportunity to define the pathways involved in the action of these agents in ....Targeted development of dual action antitumour and antiangiogenic agents using differential and functional proteomics. There is an enormous need to develop more effective and less toxic therapeutic approaches to reduce the social and economic burden of cancer. The recent identification of small molecules that can act by both destroying cancer cells and the blood vessels that carry nutrients to them has provided a unique opportunity to define the pathways involved in the action of these agents in order to develop more potent drug analogues. Development of these molecules will involve a collaborative and multidisciplinary link with our industry partner and the use of frontier technologies that may lead to improved health and economic outcomes for Australia. Read moreRead less
Regulation of large artery stiffness by endothelium-derived mediators and effects on the arterial pressure waveform. Stiffening of arteries is an important cardiovascular risk factor and increases with age, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. Cells that line the blood vessels (endothelial cells), become damaged and this reduces the available amount of a dilator substance, nitric oxide, and increases the activity of a constrictor substance, endothelin-1. We have shown that nitric ....Regulation of large artery stiffness by endothelium-derived mediators and effects on the arterial pressure waveform. Stiffening of arteries is an important cardiovascular risk factor and increases with age, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. Cells that line the blood vessels (endothelial cells), become damaged and this reduces the available amount of a dilator substance, nitric oxide, and increases the activity of a constrictor substance, endothelin-1. We have shown that nitric oxide regulates large artery stiffness and we believe that other endothelial mediators are also important regulators. Therefore, we aim to explore this in a series of studies. Regulation of stiffness of large arteries will improve treatment of age-related cardiovascular disease (eg isolated systolic hypertension)Read moreRead less
Development of natural herbal medicines for managing metabolic syndrome in order to prevent type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes affects almost 7% of Australia~{!/~}s population. Its incidence continues to grow, as indicated by high rates of metabolic syndrome, a pre-stage of type 2 diabetes. Using novel and bio-molecular techniques, we will evaluate the effects and mechanisms of three natural compounds from anti-diabetic Chinese herbs on cellular and rodent models with metabolic syndrome. This stud ....Development of natural herbal medicines for managing metabolic syndrome in order to prevent type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes affects almost 7% of Australia~{!/~}s population. Its incidence continues to grow, as indicated by high rates of metabolic syndrome, a pre-stage of type 2 diabetes. Using novel and bio-molecular techniques, we will evaluate the effects and mechanisms of three natural compounds from anti-diabetic Chinese herbs on cellular and rodent models with metabolic syndrome. This study will provide scientific evidence as to how and why herbal compounds improve insulin resistance and abnormalities in glucose and lipids metabolism. The outcome of this project will support the development of natural products to manage metabolic syndrome and prevent type 2 diabetes.
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RCTs on Trial: How Placebo Effects Could Undermine Double-blind RCTs. Double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) are considered the gold standard for establishing treatment efficacy. However, there are both theoretical and empirical reasons to believe that they do not adequately control for the placebo effect. Cost and ethical considerations prevent researchers conducting actual double-blind RCTs with patients from exploring these issues. To address this gap, this project uses nove ....RCTs on Trial: How Placebo Effects Could Undermine Double-blind RCTs. Double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) are considered the gold standard for establishing treatment efficacy. However, there are both theoretical and empirical reasons to believe that they do not adequately control for the placebo effect. Cost and ethical considerations prevent researchers conducting actual double-blind RCTs with patients from exploring these issues. To address this gap, this project uses novel experimental models to systematically test key aspects of the double-blind RCT methodology that are intended to control for the placebo effect. The project aims to provide essential data on the validity of these trials, thereby improving Australia's health and ensuring that Government treatment subsidies are well spent.Read moreRead less
Synthesis of Novel Biomaterials for Drug delivery. A new UV radiation polymerisation technique utilising charge-transfer complexes is adopted for synthesising novel hydrogels, a group of biomaterials for drug delivery. This work is significant as charge-transfer complexes, pertinent to the formation of hydrogels, form copolymers within the hydrogel matrices. This eliminates using costly, yet undesirable photo-initiators (PI), thus rendering the hydrogels as cleaner (PI-free) and more economical ....Synthesis of Novel Biomaterials for Drug delivery. A new UV radiation polymerisation technique utilising charge-transfer complexes is adopted for synthesising novel hydrogels, a group of biomaterials for drug delivery. This work is significant as charge-transfer complexes, pertinent to the formation of hydrogels, form copolymers within the hydrogel matrices. This eliminates using costly, yet undesirable photo-initiators (PI), thus rendering the hydrogels as cleaner (PI-free) and more economical in production; the products present themselves as ideal treatment methods in the controlled-release of drugs, specifically targeting localised pathological sites of interest. The research findings will be invaluable to medical practices, leading to the creation of new industries in Australia.
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Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH190100021
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,999,540.00
Summary
ARC Research Hub to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance. The ARC ITRP Research Hub to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance takes on the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) for Australia through a world-first partnership between industry, researchers, and end users. The AMR Hub fosters a pre-commercialisation environment to address both social and laboratory-based preclinical challenges to provide a highly integrated diagnostic, pharmaceutical and end user solution to the problem of AMR. A ....ARC Research Hub to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance. The ARC ITRP Research Hub to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance takes on the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) for Australia through a world-first partnership between industry, researchers, and end users. The AMR Hub fosters a pre-commercialisation environment to address both social and laboratory-based preclinical challenges to provide a highly integrated diagnostic, pharmaceutical and end user solution to the problem of AMR. A goal of the Hub is to support the development of new molecular diagnostic technology, improve the processes for identifying potential antibiotic compounds and assess and advise on antimicrobial stewardship with a vision to transform social and health outcomes globally.Read moreRead less
Engineering of composite particles to enhance performance in respiratory drug delivery. Respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic pulmonary disease affect in excess of 5.8 million Australians and the common method of treatment is via drug inhalation. Although a wide range of drugs are commercially available as dry powder inhalers the efficiency of these systems is poor, with most devices delivering less than 20% to the lung. This project will develop a new method of high-efficiency respi ....Engineering of composite particles to enhance performance in respiratory drug delivery. Respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic pulmonary disease affect in excess of 5.8 million Australians and the common method of treatment is via drug inhalation. Although a wide range of drugs are commercially available as dry powder inhalers the efficiency of these systems is poor, with most devices delivering less than 20% to the lung. This project will develop a new method of high-efficiency respiratory drug delivery based on composite particles. The technology developed from this project will advance Australia’s Research & Innovation and Pharmaceutical industry sector, and improve healthcare outcomes in the government’s key priority area of Promoting and maintaining good health: ‘A healthy start to life’ and ‘Ageing well’Read moreRead less