In this fellowship I will develop methods to improve the way drugs are delivered through the use of nanotechnology. Nanoparticles can be used to protect delicate drugs from degrading, and to make sure drugs are delivered where they are required. This helps to lower side effects and improve efficacy of a range of drugs. I lead a multi-disciplinary research team dedicated to understanding of how nanoparticles interact with biological systems, so we can engineer better drug delivery systems.
Location, Location, Location: Sub-cellular Specific Targeting Of JNK As A Novel Therapy In Breast Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$633,755.00
Summary
The ‘triple negative’ breast cancer subtype is the most aggressive form of breast cancer, and unlike other subtypes, there are no drugs to specifically this subtype. While many potential drug targets have been identified, they cannot be utilised clinically because of other beneficial roles within the body. We are now deploying our innovative experimental platforms to specifically target the tumour promoting functions of a protein known as ‘JNK’, whilst retaining its beneficial functions.
Understanding The Cellular Processing Of Targeted Nanoparticles For Improved Therapeutic Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$625,477.00
Summary
Nanotechnology has the potential to transform the way we treat many diseases. This project will investigate how nanoengineered particles can be used to improve the effectiveness of vaccines. Nanoparticles can protect the delicate vaccine cargo from degradation, and will be targeted specifically to the cells in the body that most effectively induce the maximum theraputic response. This study will improve our understanding of how nanovaccines work and develop new ways of delivering vaccines.
Novel Microdevices For Controlled Blood And Skin Extraction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,644.00
Summary
Current blood sampling devices only create a puncture in the skin but have no capacity to collect blood while current tissue biopsies are not capable of repeated sampling in patients without the need for local anaesthesia or sutures. There is a need for clinically feasible devices to enable preventive strategies in the area of skin cancer and communicable diseases through facilitation of early detection, particularly in rural/remote areas where medical resources are limited.
Viewing The Cellular Responses In Huntington’s Disease Through An Aggreomics Framework
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$363,218.00
Summary
Huntington disease results from a mutation that causes the Htt protein to form abnormal toxic clusters in neurons that eventually leads to cell death. This project will develop and apply new technology to identify how the clustering process damages cells and will measure all the gene expression changes that occur during the clustering process. The project offers much potential for revealing new therapeutic targets to this incurable disease.
Characterisation Of A Novel Direct Electrochemical Chip As A Biosensor And Tool For Studying Redox-sensitive Proteins
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$144,500.00
Summary
Biosensors use biomolecules to detect a chemical event. They are becoming important for the rapid and reliable measurement of the concentrations of molecules in fluids. In human medicine they will be of great use to general practitioners and patients for instantaneous read outs of concentrations of many different biological molecules. How well a biosensor responds depends on the method in which the biomolecule is immobilised to a surface and the signal detected. We have made a significant advanc ....Biosensors use biomolecules to detect a chemical event. They are becoming important for the rapid and reliable measurement of the concentrations of molecules in fluids. In human medicine they will be of great use to general practitioners and patients for instantaneous read outs of concentrations of many different biological molecules. How well a biosensor responds depends on the method in which the biomolecule is immobilised to a surface and the signal detected. We have made a significant advance in biosensing capabilities using a recombinant protein (thioredoxin) and demonstrated the improvement that is possible by (i) immobilising the protein in a highly oriented way and (ii) using a sensitive electrical signal to monitor the response. Here we will undertake more comprehensive testing by extending the number of proteins to include the 4 major classes of redox-sensitive biomolecules (proteins) in the body. This will enable us to establish the broad application of our methods and substantially improve our ability to commercialize our discoveries.Read moreRead less
Organ transplantation is the measure of last resort for patients with organ failure. While this is a life-saving procedure, the long-term survival of transplant recipients depends on maintaining the new organ without rejecting it. The proposed research will create novel test systems that allow both patients and clinicians to monitor the concentration of the drugs required to suppress organ rejection. Such a test will reduce the cost of treatment and increase the long term survival of patients.
Advanced Technologies For Improved Molecular Diagnostic And Prognostic Of Gastrointestinal Cancers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$473,477.00
Summary
The aim of this interdisciplinary research is to develop innovative and clinically relevant technologies for improved molecular diagnostic of gastrointestinal cancers. It integrates technological advances in physics, bioengineering and nanoscience with state-of-the-art molecular technologies towards the delivery of both fundamental and translational outcomes. These technologies will be applied to address important fundamental questions such as the role of circulating tumour cells.
Single-cell Optical Window Imaging In CDK1-FRET Biosensor Mice To Assess Tissue Stiffness And Optimise Delivery And Therapeutic Response To Gemcitabine/Abraxane In Pancreatic Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$676,979.00
Summary
Inefficient drug response in solid tumour tissue is commonly a limiting factor in the clinical effectiveness of cancer therapies. Using cutting-edge imaging technology and 3D models that mimic the disease, we have mapped areas of poor drug response within distinct regions of tumours. Here, we pinpoint and specifically target key factors limiting efficient drug targeting in order to improve the encouraging anti-cancer profile of the new drug combination Gemcitabine/Abraxane in pancreatic cancer.
Real-time Optical Window Imaging Of AKT-FRET Biosensor Mice To Maximise PI3K/AKT Drug Targeting Within The Hypoxic Microenvironment Of Pancreatic Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$683,447.00
Summary
Inefficient drug response in solid tumour tissue is often a limiting factor in the clinical effectiveness of cancer therapies. Using cutting-edge imaging technology and 3D models that mimic the disease, we have mapped areas of poor drug response within distinct regions of tumours with low oxygen levels known as hypoxia. Here, we will specifically target factors limiting efficient drug targeting in these areas to improve the encouraging anti-cancer profile of AKT inhibitors in pancreatic cancer.