A New Platform for Developing a Compound Against Herpes Simplex Virus. This project aims to further explore the research team’s recent fundamental discovery of a protein found naturally in an Australian abalone that inhibits viral entry by blocking three key viral glycoproteins. We would aim to utilise this knowledge towards development of a new class of therapeutics against Herpes simplex viruses (HSV) and their consequent infections. The new therapeutics could overcome the low bioavailability ....A New Platform for Developing a Compound Against Herpes Simplex Virus. This project aims to further explore the research team’s recent fundamental discovery of a protein found naturally in an Australian abalone that inhibits viral entry by blocking three key viral glycoproteins. We would aim to utilise this knowledge towards development of a new class of therapeutics against Herpes simplex viruses (HSV) and their consequent infections. The new therapeutics could overcome the low bioavailability of current drugs and thus significantly shorten the recurrence period. Such new drugs may have broad applicability.Read moreRead less
New insulins for the improved management of diabetes. The prevalence of diabetes has increased dramatically over the past few decades and now this condition is widely considered the world’s fastest growing disease. New insulins with improved pharmacological and storage properties are desperately needed, and this project will work on chemical synthesis enabling designer insulins to be prepared for improved management of diabetes.
Enhanced multivalent vaccine responses using a novel vaccine vector system. Enhanced multivalent vaccine responses using a novel vaccine vector system. This project aims to develop a multicomponent vaccine system to deliver equal effectiveness against several disease targets in a single administration. New and innovative vaccine design strategies incorporating economical commercial production processes are urgently needed for new and existing human and animal health applications. A vaccine capab ....Enhanced multivalent vaccine responses using a novel vaccine vector system. Enhanced multivalent vaccine responses using a novel vaccine vector system. This project aims to develop a multicomponent vaccine system to deliver equal effectiveness against several disease targets in a single administration. New and innovative vaccine design strategies incorporating economical commercial production processes are urgently needed for new and existing human and animal health applications. A vaccine capable of targeting multiple diseases by a single injection is an obvious way to expedite future vaccine development and deployment. However, the recipient’s immune system can repress equivalent responses to these multicomponent vaccines. This project’s research is expected to address these problems, and underpin the future commercial development of this vaccine platform.Read moreRead less
In vitro expression of macrocyclic peptides. This project aims to develop a novel strategy for the production of polypeptides with unnatural chemical groups using a sense codon reassignment approach. Novel peptides could be used in a range of pharmaceutical applications. Peptides made of 20 natural amino acids cover only a very small fraction of the available chemical and functional space. While a peptide’s functionality can be extended with unnatural amino acids, the methods for their site-sele ....In vitro expression of macrocyclic peptides. This project aims to develop a novel strategy for the production of polypeptides with unnatural chemical groups using a sense codon reassignment approach. Novel peptides could be used in a range of pharmaceutical applications. Peptides made of 20 natural amino acids cover only a very small fraction of the available chemical and functional space. While a peptide’s functionality can be extended with unnatural amino acids, the methods for their site-selective incorporation are inefficient. The project’s strategy relies on the depletion of selected tRNAs from an in vitro protein translation system and their replacement with synthetic tRNAs, charged with unnatural amino acids. It is expected that the developed technology could be used to rapidly generate and screen highly diversified macrocyclic peptide libraries.Read moreRead less
The first integrated multimodal assay for the ultrasensitive detection of dengue contamination of blood. This project will develop the first screening test to check for dengue contamination of blood donations in Australia. This will help ensure safe, continued supply from blood donors, particularly in Queensland where dengue is on the rise.
Targeting the delivery of cytotoxic agents to tumour cells using novel minicells as drug delivery vehicles and engineered, bispecific antibodies. Cancer persists as a major cause of morbidity and mortality globally. A major problem is the non-specific action of drugs used for treatment. The minicell is a drug delivery vehicle, capable of packaging a variety of drugs. The project will develop tumour-specific antibodies that will target minicells to tumours, improving cancer survival rates.
Next generation dengue diagnostics. The 2009 dengue epidemic was widespread and the largest in North Queensland for 50 years. The outbreak was not quickly contained despite an extensive education program and a mosquito control taskforce. All four types of Dengue were detected, greatly increasing the chance of more severe complications such as Dengue haemorrhagic fever and Dengue shock syndrome. This project will improve our knowledge of Dengue proteins used in tests to diagnose the virus. The ne ....Next generation dengue diagnostics. The 2009 dengue epidemic was widespread and the largest in North Queensland for 50 years. The outbreak was not quickly contained despite an extensive education program and a mosquito control taskforce. All four types of Dengue were detected, greatly increasing the chance of more severe complications such as Dengue haemorrhagic fever and Dengue shock syndrome. This project will improve our knowledge of Dengue proteins used in tests to diagnose the virus. The new knowledge will be used to develop an easy to use test to diagnose Dengue infection early, rapidly and accurately. Effective diagnosis of Dengue will then allow timely implementation of intervention strategies (mosquito control, public advice, isolation and care).Read moreRead less
The cell biology of the albumin-FcRn receptor recycling system. The aim of this project is to define the cell biology of the albumin-FcRn (neonatal Fc receptor) recycling system. FcRn is a recycling membrane receptor that selectively protects serum proteins from intracellular degradation and prolongs their half-life. We will identify the key cell types involved in this recycling pathway, identify intracellular sites of ligand and FcRn interaction, assess the contribution of the haematopoietic sy ....The cell biology of the albumin-FcRn receptor recycling system. The aim of this project is to define the cell biology of the albumin-FcRn (neonatal Fc receptor) recycling system. FcRn is a recycling membrane receptor that selectively protects serum proteins from intracellular degradation and prolongs their half-life. We will identify the key cell types involved in this recycling pathway, identify intracellular sites of ligand and FcRn interaction, assess the contribution of the haematopoietic system and determine ligand half-life in mice. Findings generated will reveal the basic biology of an important physiological receptor, and enable the exploitation of FcRn-receptor interactions for design of recombinant albumin fusion-based therapies.Read moreRead less
Intracellular trafficking and function of a recycling receptor which prolongs the serum half-life of novel therapeutic proteins. The life span of recombinant engineered proteins for therapeutic use is a critical factor in their effectiveness, ease of clinical application and cost. This project will exploit interactions with a natural receptor, which prolongs the lifespan of serum proteins, to enhance survival of therapeutic engineered proteins.