Activated Protein C As A Promoter Of Wound Healing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$391,650.00
Summary
The healing of wounds is a complex process involving a number of stages, including coagulation, inflammation, remodelling and finally development of full strength skin. Impaired wound healing and-or skin ulcers occur in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease, deep vein thrombosis, diabetes, pressure sores and burns. Despite intense investigation, the precise mechanisms associated with impaired healing are poorly understood. APC is a serine protease that plays a central role in physi ....The healing of wounds is a complex process involving a number of stages, including coagulation, inflammation, remodelling and finally development of full strength skin. Impaired wound healing and-or skin ulcers occur in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease, deep vein thrombosis, diabetes, pressure sores and burns. Despite intense investigation, the precise mechanisms associated with impaired healing are poorly understood. APC is a serine protease that plays a central role in physiological anticoagulation. APC potently activates gelatinase A, an enzyme that plays a prominent role during the remodelling phase of wound healing and angiogenesis. Our preliminary experiments provide very strong evidence that APC accelerates wound healing using both cultured cells and a rat skin wounding model. There are three aims to this study. The first will use cell culture techniques to investigate the mechanisms of action of APC during wound healing. Secondly, we will expand our pilot studies on the effect of APC as a promoter of wound healing in vivo. These studies will examine the exact dosing and timing regime for APC, using a rat wound healing model. In addition, we will test the effect of APC on slow healing wounds, present in diabetic rats. Thirdly, we will determine whether APC is quantitatively or functionally deficient in human wound fluid derived from slow-healing wounds compared to wounds that heal normally. This is the first time that APC has been implicated in wound healing. It is envisaged that this work will ultimately lead to a novel topical treatment of APC to accelerate slow-healing wounds.Read moreRead less
Development Of National Protocols For The Detection Of SARS Human Coronavirus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$99,650.00
Summary
This work aims to develop and to establish the accuracy of laboratory tests for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) suitable for use and for production in Australia. Accurate and timely laboratory testing will be important in detecting imported SARS cases, and preventing establishment of the disease in Australia. SARS is a severe, readily transmissible chest infection that first appeared in Southern China in November 2002. It has subsequently spread to 29 countries causing a total of 7747 c ....This work aims to develop and to establish the accuracy of laboratory tests for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) suitable for use and for production in Australia. Accurate and timely laboratory testing will be important in detecting imported SARS cases, and preventing establishment of the disease in Australia. SARS is a severe, readily transmissible chest infection that first appeared in Southern China in November 2002. It has subsequently spread to 29 countries causing a total of 7747 cases and 552 deaths by mid May 2003. The greatest impact has been in China, with Canada the most severely affected country outside Asia. Approximately 15 percent of cases are fatal overall, with death rates increasing with age up to 50 percent over 65 years. There is, as yet, no specific cure or vaccine. The cause is a previously unknown coronavirus, a close relative of human common cold viruses. It spreads readily via contact with respiratory secretions, coughing and sneezing, and possibly in faeces. The virus is able to persist in the environment for days. An international network of WHO laboratories has made rapid progress in developing laboratory tests. Although this expertise will assist Australia in developing its own laboratory capability, Australia's laboratory test needs cannot be met from overseas. SARS laboratory tests and protocols will be developed in Australia over a 3-month period by a consortium of expert Australian laboratories. These include the Victorian Infectious Disease Reference Laboratory, the Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research at Westmead Hospital, CSIRO's Australian Animal Health Laboratory, the Cooperative Research Centre for Diagnostics, and the Western Australian Centre for Pathology and Medical Research. Tests will include methods for detection of the SARS virus in specimens, and detection of antibodies to SARS in the blood. Production of some key reagents by genetic engineering techniques is intended to improve their availability. Robustness of test methods in a diagnostic laboratory setting will be evaluated, and a quality assurance program will be implemented. An expert advisory group will assist in the development of test performance and interpretation protocols.Read moreRead less