Bacterial Mechanosensitive Channels As Novel Targets For Antibacterial Agents
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$424,500.00
Summary
The focus of this research is the development of new antibiotics to combat bacterial antibiotic resistance. Since their discovery antibiotics have had a profound effect on the health and well being of mankind, providing ready effective treatment for otherwise intractable infections. Although pencillin was initially effective against a large range of infections by the 1950s it was apparent that some bacterial strains had become resistant to this antibiotic. Partially in response to this resistanc ....The focus of this research is the development of new antibiotics to combat bacterial antibiotic resistance. Since their discovery antibiotics have had a profound effect on the health and well being of mankind, providing ready effective treatment for otherwise intractable infections. Although pencillin was initially effective against a large range of infections by the 1950s it was apparent that some bacterial strains had become resistant to this antibiotic. Partially in response to this resistance new antibiotics such as streptomycin, chloramphenicol and tetracycline were developed. These new drugs were potent against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. However, there were early signs that resistance to these drugs was also emerging. For example, in 1953, during a Shigella outbreak in Japan, a strain of the dysentery bacillus was isolated which was multi-drug resistant, exhibiting resistance to chloramphenicol, tetracycline, streptomycin and the sulfanilamides. Multidrug-resistance in pathogenic strains of bacteria has in the last decade presented an increasing problem in treatment of bacterial infections and diseases. In 1994 a Melbourne public hospital reported a new antibiotic resistant strain of bacteria. This bacterium was resistant to vancomycin (the antibiotic used when all others have failed) and is known as VRE or vancomycin resistant enterococcus. Now strains of golden staph resistant to all antibiotics have appeared. The re-emergence of tuberculosis (TB), which kills more than 3 million people annually and which is spreading rapidly throughout the world, is also a serious threat, particularly as many strains are now multi-drug resistant. New antibiotics are needed that overcome bacterial drug resistance. It is anticipated that this research will lead to new antibiotics by exploiting molecular components of bacteria that have only recently been identified.Read moreRead less
Cyclic-nucleotide-dependent Regulation Of Axon Guidance Sensitivity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$527,338.00
Summary
Problems in wiring up the brain underlie several nervous system disorders. The goal of this project is to understand better how this wiring normally forms. This will ultimately lead to a better understanding of what can go wrong with brain wiring, and how to fix such problems. It will also lead to a better understanding of how to make axons regenerate after injury.
Early Detection Of MCI And Dementia Using Multidimensional Analysis Of Structural MRI By Computational Methods
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$583,601.00
Summary
Dementia in elderly is a major public health problem, and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), is even more common. We propose to use recent computational anatomy algorithms from our group to develop novel multidimensional imaging biomarkers for early detection of brain anatomical changes due to MCI-dementia. We aim at identifying early signatures of MCI-dementia, thus making early treatment possible. The completion of our research will provide clinicians with new methods for the early diagnosis.
Colorectal cancer is a common malignancy in Australia and the mutation of one gene (Apc) is implicated in >80% of the cases. We aim to understand Apc biochemistry in normal and colon cancer cells by integrating mathematics with our experimental biology program. The main outcomes for this project will be a better understanding of the regulatory systems perturbed in colon cancer. We believe that the insights gained by our research will point the way to more effective treatments of colon cancer.
Bioengineering Of Cyclotides With Angiogenic Properties
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$488,273.00
Summary
Atherosclerosis, a gradual clogging of the arteries, is the single leading cause of death in Australia, Europe, the USA and Japan. Coronary heart disease (CHD; clogging of the coronary arteries), while secondary to atherosclerosis in most of the world, accounts for nearly 2 million deaths per year in Europe alone. In Australia CHD is the single leading cause of death. This project is aimed at developing lead molecules for the development of therapeutics capable of stimulating revascularization ( ....Atherosclerosis, a gradual clogging of the arteries, is the single leading cause of death in Australia, Europe, the USA and Japan. Coronary heart disease (CHD; clogging of the coronary arteries), while secondary to atherosclerosis in most of the world, accounts for nearly 2 million deaths per year in Europe alone. In Australia CHD is the single leading cause of death. This project is aimed at developing lead molecules for the development of therapeutics capable of stimulating revascularization (that is, opening up blocked vessels to improve blood flow) of tissues with slow or retarded circulation. Such therapeutics would improve the treatment of atherosclerosis and CHD. Peptides, small proteins, are generally not stable enough to be used as drugs. In this project we plan to engineer protein molecules based on an unusually stable family of proteins, known as the cyclotides. We will chemically synthesise analogues of cyclotides that have been altered to incorporate the activities of less stable small peptides that are able to induce therapeutic angiogenesis. Given the prevalence of CHD, the development of effective therapeutics could have a profound impact on the economic cost of the disease, which in the USA amounts to US$133.2 billion per year. This project involves collaboration between researchers from the Institute for Molecular Bioscience, who have expertise in drug design and protein chemistry, and researchers from the Centre for Research in Vascular Biology, who have expertise in vascular biology and vessel engineering. Both of these institutes are part of the University of Queensland.Read moreRead less