Characterisation Of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation To Haematopoietic Progenitors And Stem Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$638,856.00
Summary
Blood stem cells, which are found in the bone marrow, are currently used for treating human blood disorders including leukemia and lymphoma. However, for the majority of bone marrow transplant candidates, suitable donors cannot be found. Using embryonic stem cells, this project aims to define the conditions required to generate blood stem cells in the laboratory. The aim of the work is to provide a new source of blood stem cells that could be used in place of donor derived bone marrow.
Simulating And Stimulating The Blood-Brain-Barrier: A Platform For Investigating Non-pharmaceutical Alzheimer's Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$680,758.00
Summary
Alzheimer's disease is a looming public health threat worldwide. Despite the widespread acknowledgement of this issue, there are a lack of effective drugs that can slow disease progression. This project aims to investigate a new class of non-pharmaceutical treatment methods based on controlled acoustic, electrical and optical stimulation methods to treat and reverse the base causes of Alzheimer's disease.
Modelling Of Clinic And Ambulatory Blood Pressure On Cardiovascular Risk And Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$133,957.00
Summary
Whilst ambulatory blood pressure monitoring data has been shown to be a good predictor of cardiovascular events, there remains controversy as to its utility in clinical practice. This project will use data from existing population and clinical cohort studies to examine the role of ambulatory blood pressure in risk assessment and hypertension management in Australia and around the globe. The findings are likely to have a major impact on clinical guidelines for hypertension management.
Understanding The Origins Of Neurogenic Hypertension
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$668,914.00
Summary
Brain cells that control the cardiovascular system are thought to have stopped dividing by adulthood. We recently discovered that this is not the case. Our initial findings suggest that these nascent cells might be important for maintaining normal blood pressure. This work will allow us to elucidate the function of these nascent cells and how they integrate into the circuit that controls the cardiovascular system. Our findings will be fundamental for understanding diseases such as hypertension.
Computing with Lie groups and algebras: nilpotent orbits and applications. This project aims to advance knowledge of an important class of Lie algebras, for which recent work has shown that a deeper mathematical theory, and better computational tools are required. Lie theory is a mathematical area with rich applications in the physical sciences. Expected outcomes from this project include the first systematic treatment of these algebras, new powerful algorithms to compute with them, and explicit ....Computing with Lie groups and algebras: nilpotent orbits and applications. This project aims to advance knowledge of an important class of Lie algebras, for which recent work has shown that a deeper mathematical theory, and better computational tools are required. Lie theory is a mathematical area with rich applications in the physical sciences. Expected outcomes from this project include the first systematic treatment of these algebras, new powerful algorithms to compute with them, and explicit nilpotent orbit classifications that will solve open problems in black hole theory. This should significantly enhance fundamental mathematical research and the Lie functionality of leading computer algebra systems, and is expected to strengthen international linkages.Read moreRead less
Advancing the Metal-Organic Chemistry of the Heavy Alkaline Earth Elements. The project will open up a new area in Australian metal based chemical research, deriving high value added products from the already existing exploitation of Australia's substantial alkaline earth metal mineral resources. Internationally recognised expertise in the design and manipulation of highly reactive chemical tools will contribute breakthrough science and innovation to the growing pharmaceutical, fine chemicals an ....Advancing the Metal-Organic Chemistry of the Heavy Alkaline Earth Elements. The project will open up a new area in Australian metal based chemical research, deriving high value added products from the already existing exploitation of Australia's substantial alkaline earth metal mineral resources. Internationally recognised expertise in the design and manipulation of highly reactive chemical tools will contribute breakthrough science and innovation to the growing pharmaceutical, fine chemicals and smart materials industry, with the potential to provide nascent and established Australian companies a competitive edge in new product development. Students will be trained in the necessary skills to succeed in and expand such technically demanding area of metal based chemistry.Read moreRead less
Frontiers in synthetic and structural rare earth chemistry. Rare earth elements are a major under-utilised Auatralian resource.
Their commercial development requires knowledge and progression of their
chemistry. Advancing the chemistry of highly reactive, air-sensitive
metalorganics will provide the breakthrough science to underpin future
applications in chemical manufacture, catalysis and new materials.
Transformation of rare earth chemistry to achieve behaviour hitherto
atypical of these ....Frontiers in synthetic and structural rare earth chemistry. Rare earth elements are a major under-utilised Auatralian resource.
Their commercial development requires knowledge and progression of their
chemistry. Advancing the chemistry of highly reactive, air-sensitive
metalorganics will provide the breakthrough science to underpin future
applications in chemical manufacture, catalysis and new materials.
Transformation of rare earth chemistry to achieve behaviour hitherto
atypical of these elements by steric and electronic modulation of
attached groups will value-add to their properties.Read moreRead less
Rare Earth Metal-Organic Compounds - A Source of Continuing Excitement. Australia has the world's second largest rare earth resources which are at best exported unprocessed leading to an 80-fold mark up on import of separated products. This project builds the expertise and knowledge needed to underpin Australian rare earth processing and develops the breakthrough science needed for new applications or rare earths.
A New Model For The Pathogenesis Of Rheumatic Fever: Superantigen Priming Of The Immune Response To Group A Streptococci
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$248,820.00
Summary
Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is now rare in developed countries. However, it remains a major problem in Aboriginal Australians in the NT where the rate of ARF is the highest in the world. This leads to high rates of rheumatic heart disease (up to 3% of individuals in some communities) and a premature mortality of over four times that for developing countries. Immunisation and improved living conditions offer a long-term solution but these remain a distant prospect. In the short and medium term, c ....Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is now rare in developed countries. However, it remains a major problem in Aboriginal Australians in the NT where the rate of ARF is the highest in the world. This leads to high rates of rheumatic heart disease (up to 3% of individuals in some communities) and a premature mortality of over four times that for developing countries. Immunisation and improved living conditions offer a long-term solution but these remain a distant prospect. In the short and medium term, control of this ARF will partly depend on new and better treatment and prevention strategies. To achieve these goals a deeper understanding of the immune mechanisms underlying this disease is urgently needed. It is known that ARF is caused by an abnormal immune response following streptococcal infection. This leads to the production of cells called T cells that attack the body s own tissues rather than the bacteria itself. This autoimmune disease is responsible for the heart damage that underlies ARF. It is believed that this proces only occurs when susceptible individuals are infected with specific rheumatogenic strains of streptococci. However there are a number of deficiencies in this model and it is proposed that there is an additional factor responsible for the abnormal immune response in ARF. This project will explore the possibility that bacterial toxins called superantigens are the critical missing factor , by studying the immune response in ARF. Superantigens are produced by certain streptococci and staphylococci, and are potent in minute quantities causing widespread activation of the immune system. They have been found to play an important role in a number of autoimmune diseases and the type of immune response found in ARF fits well with that expected if superantigens were involved. If superantigens play an important role in causing the abnormal immune response in ARF then a number of new avenues would open for the treatment and prevention of this disease.Read moreRead less
Reducing Morbidities In Preterm Growth Restricted Neonates.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$687,214.00
Summary
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a serious complication of pregnancy and occurs when fetal growth is abnormal, resulting in a fetus that is smaller than it should be for its given gestational age. IUGR babies are at much greater risk of many short and long-term adverse outcomes. This study investigates the role that adverse cardiovascular development plays in the progression of lung, heart and brain disease in preterm IUGR newborns.