Prevalence report by the Australian Advisory Board on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) estimated that 1 child in every 160 children in the 6-12 year-old age group is affected by ASD. There is no cure for ASD and the causes are not understood. We propose that sex hormones may play a role in the development of these disorders. We will test this hypothesis using knockout and transgenic mouse models which have social interaction deficits and brain structure reminiscent of these disorders.
Development Of Therapeutically Useful Human Artificial Chromosomes For Gene Delivery And Optimal Gene Expression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$496,986.00
Summary
Gene therapy is an exciting new form of treatment for genetic disorders aimed at providing long-term correction of the problems at source - namely the affected gene. The biggest technical hurdle facing gene therapy is to be able to deliver the therapeutic genes efficiently and safely into patient cells. Many gene therapy protocols are currently being trialled clinically. These protocols, based mostly on the use of attenuated viruses to deliver the genes, carry potential risks to the patients in ....Gene therapy is an exciting new form of treatment for genetic disorders aimed at providing long-term correction of the problems at source - namely the affected gene. The biggest technical hurdle facing gene therapy is to be able to deliver the therapeutic genes efficiently and safely into patient cells. Many gene therapy protocols are currently being trialled clinically. These protocols, based mostly on the use of attenuated viruses to deliver the genes, carry potential risks to the patients in terms of infection, immune response, and germline modification. We have developed the first stage of a new technology for gene delivery that does not require the use of viruses. This technology is based on the generation of human artificial chromosomes, which are smaller versions of the naturally occurring chromosomes that carry all the genes inside our cells. Safety in these artificial chromosomes comes from the use of entirely human materials for their engineering. These artificial chromosomes also have other advantages over the viral approaches, including allowing large genes to be carried, and providing a permanent cure in a single treatment. We have already successfully constructed, published, and patented a number of first-generation human artificial chromosomes. The current project aims to complete the next proof-of-concept milestone towards the further development of this technology. Specifically, we propose to demonstrate the ability of the artificial chromosomes to carry genes and provide sustainable expression of these genes in cells and in animal models. Success in this study will allow the technology to proceed rapidly into commercialisation and clinical trial as a new improved tool for gene delivery and gene therapy.Read moreRead less
Researching the Social Role of Religions in Australia. Most Australians claim allegiance to various religions in the Census. The number of religious denominations has greatly increased in recent years, most notably through immigration, with significant numbers from all world religions. Political and social policies are frequently influenced by religious principles and a detailed analysis of this variety is of crucial national importance. Religions from neighbouring societies are significantly r ....Researching the Social Role of Religions in Australia. Most Australians claim allegiance to various religions in the Census. The number of religious denominations has greatly increased in recent years, most notably through immigration, with significant numbers from all world religions. Political and social policies are frequently influenced by religious principles and a detailed analysis of this variety is of crucial national importance. Religions from neighbouring societies are significantly represented in Australia. Understanding them is of central importance in international political and commercial activity. Current research is essential, based on the most recent Census and other recent socio-economic information.
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What makes for successful numeracy education in remote Indigenous contexts: an ethnographic case study approach. There are many successful teachers and schools who have enabled remote Indigenous learners to engage with, and learn, school mathematics. But what do they do? How do they do it? This project investigates and documents successful practices in 32 schools located in remote communities. The project includes the many aspects of teaching practice.
The endangered swift parrot as a model for managing small migratory birds. Endangered swift parrots use variable locations while breeding in eastern Tasmania and over winter on the Australian mainland. This project aims to develop effective conservation strategies for swift parrots and other migrants using new and long term data and innovative technological solutions to tracking small birds across vast landscapes.
Processing mathematics tasks: the nature and role of visual and non-visual reasoning in digital and non-digital environments. Within the next four years, it is likely that the National Assessment Plan for Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) will be administered in a digital mode. This project identifies differences between the delivery of mathematics assessment in pencil-and-paper and computer-based modes. Primary students' mathematics reasoning is compared across these modes and to cohorts from Sing ....Processing mathematics tasks: the nature and role of visual and non-visual reasoning in digital and non-digital environments. Within the next four years, it is likely that the National Assessment Plan for Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) will be administered in a digital mode. This project identifies differences between the delivery of mathematics assessment in pencil-and-paper and computer-based modes. Primary students' mathematics reasoning is compared across these modes and to cohorts from Singapore.Read moreRead less
Processing dynamic graphics: Visuospatial reasoning in mathematics. Increasingly, mathematics competence will be measured in digital and dynamic contexts. Students who possess high visuospatial reasoning are expected to become even better equipped to succeed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) related disciplines as technological advances shape how we interpret and decode information. This project explores those aspects of visuospatial reasoning critical for success when s ....Processing dynamic graphics: Visuospatial reasoning in mathematics. Increasingly, mathematics competence will be measured in digital and dynamic contexts. Students who possess high visuospatial reasoning are expected to become even better equipped to succeed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) related disciplines as technological advances shape how we interpret and decode information. This project explores those aspects of visuospatial reasoning critical for success when students encounter dynamic mathematics tasks, and attempts to determine whether different forms of visuospatial reasoning are required to decode static and dynamic information. The project aims to better understand how students process mathematics tasks, so the inevitable move toward digital assessment can be managed effectively to promote assessment for learning.Read moreRead less
Genetic rescue of Australian wildlife. Genetic rescue of Australian wildlife. This project aims to test genetic rescue as an efficient recovery technique for threatened plants and animals. Genetic rescue is under-utilised, even though it is overwhelmingly beneficial. This project will convert management actions on five Endangered/Critically Endangered species into rigorous experiments that measure the fitness benefits of genetic rescue, and demonstrate genome-wide consequences. Anticipated outco ....Genetic rescue of Australian wildlife. Genetic rescue of Australian wildlife. This project aims to test genetic rescue as an efficient recovery technique for threatened plants and animals. Genetic rescue is under-utilised, even though it is overwhelmingly beneficial. This project will convert management actions on five Endangered/Critically Endangered species into rigorous experiments that measure the fitness benefits of genetic rescue, and demonstrate genome-wide consequences. Anticipated outcomes include innovative genetic rescue protocols, a framework for genetic rescue, and leading-edge conservation training. Expected benefits are increased persistence of species that are otherwise unresponsive to management, and a new path to saving endangered species.Read moreRead less
Social and geographical location and its impact on mathematics teaching and learning. Too many students from poor urban backgrounds or from rural communities are at risk of underperforming in school mathematics. This project identifies the critical factors that contribute to this failure and seeks to develop improved practices to enable greater access to school mathematics.
Equity and spatial reasoning in students’ mathematics development. The project aims to understand the influence of Spatial-Reasoning on school mathematics. Spatial-Reasoning skills are a significant predictor of achievement in mathematics, and will become increasingly necessary in digital and dynamic environments. Opportunities for disadvantaged students to develop such reasoning skills are limited; they are typically not taught in schools. The project investigates the role and nature of Spatial ....Equity and spatial reasoning in students’ mathematics development. The project aims to understand the influence of Spatial-Reasoning on school mathematics. Spatial-Reasoning skills are a significant predictor of achievement in mathematics, and will become increasingly necessary in digital and dynamic environments. Opportunities for disadvantaged students to develop such reasoning skills are limited; they are typically not taught in schools. The project investigates the role and nature of Spatial-Reasoning in students’ mathematics development; and substantiates the long-term effect of a spatial learning programme on educationally disadvantaged students’ mathematics performance and reasoning. This project is expected to improve disadvantaged students’ spatial reasoning and mathematics skills and their life opportunities.Read moreRead less