Epilepsy affects over 65 million people worldwide and approximately 30% of sufferers do not respond to drugs. For these people, electrodes are placed in the brain to monitor brain activity and stop the initiation or progression of seizures. However, state-of-the-art devices require risky open-brain surgery. In this project, we are developing a Stentrode Neuro-Stimulator (SNS) for the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy without the need for open-brain surgery.
This proposal seeks to develop a novel non-invasive method of measuring intra-cranial pressure, an important diagnostic parameter in many form of brain injury or neural disease. It works by quantitative video analysis of the pulsation of the major vein in the eye during induced rises in eye pressure. Many years of study by our group have determined the relationship between vein pulsation pressure and intra-cranial pressure, and this information is used to produce an accurate measurement of intra ....This proposal seeks to develop a novel non-invasive method of measuring intra-cranial pressure, an important diagnostic parameter in many form of brain injury or neural disease. It works by quantitative video analysis of the pulsation of the major vein in the eye during induced rises in eye pressure. Many years of study by our group have determined the relationship between vein pulsation pressure and intra-cranial pressure, and this information is used to produce an accurate measurement of intra-cranial pressure without the need for surgery.Read moreRead less
Application Of Sutureless Technology 'SurgiLux' For Dura Mater Repair: A Proof Of Concept Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$213,125.00
Summary
A unique technology that combines biomaterials and lasers to effectively close and seal wounds could replace sutures in delicate surgery close to the brain. Wound closure in the cranium is still reliant upon sutures or 'stitches' and these have complications; a major one being leakage of cerebro spinal fluid (CSF). The application of 'SurgiLux' technology will both close and seal these wounds quickly and easily, with significant health and economic benefits.
Interactive Attention Training Technology To Enhance Cognitive Skills In Early Life
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$759,680.00
Summary
Over 30,000 Australian children enter school with attention difficulties each year. We have established a suite of tasks to train attention based on over 20 years of research into neurodevelopmental disorders and attention. These are delivered on tablets in the form of a game known as TALI Train. We now aim to show TALI can improve attention in children with acquired brain injuries and typically developing children for commercialisation to a broad market.
Development Of Microscope-in-a-needle Devices For Improved Clinical Diagnostics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$327,746.00
Summary
We have developed a new high-resolution optical imaging technology. The unique aspect of our research has been to redesign the imaging probe, miniaturising it to a few hundred microns in diameter, and encase it in a hypodermic needle – a ‘microscope-in-a-needle’. We are developing specific imaging probes to aid in the assessment of lung disease; the diagnosis of liver disease; and integrated into a brain biopsy needle to enable safer brain biopsies.
Electrical Stimulation Of The Brain For Restoring Vision
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,555,864.00
Summary
This project is focused on the clinical demonstration of the Monash Vision Group’s ‘Gennaris’ cortical prosthesis or bionic eye. The clinical work will demonstrate the use of the Gennaris as a viable medical device that provides useful vision to people with adult-onset profound vision loss in their everyday living environments. This will place MVG in a position to attract funding from investors or commercial partners to perform multi-site clinical trials and obtain regulatory approval.
Production Of Large Scale Erythroid Progenitor Cultures From Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$396,718.00
Summary
Transfusion of fresh red blood cell units of the correct blood type into patients can be life saving. However, access to units of the correct blood type is often limited due to limited supply of donor blood and its short shelf life creating the need for a constant donor blood supply. We propose to develop a system that allows us to generate unlimited numbers of human red blood cells in a culture dish which we will derive from differentiating human embryonic stem cell lines.
Mucosal Human Immunodeficiency Virus Vaccine Late Pre-clinical Evaluation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$575,315.00
Summary
Despite many candidate vaccines entering clinical development for protection against HIV, none has yet been successful. This proposal centres on late preclinical development for a novel mucosal vaccine strategy for HIV, which combines a preclinically-proven approach to generating strong T cell immune responses, with an existing approach to generating broadly neutralising antibody responses to HIV. Proof of synergy between these approaches will lead directly to clinical development.
Pre-clinica Evaluation Of A Novel HIV-1 Vaccine Statrgy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$528,440.00
Summary
Recently, we have designed two mucosal HIV vaccine strategies that temporary block hormone-like molecules IL-4/IL-13 at the vaccination site inducing excellent antibody and killer T cell immunity with protective efficacy in small animals. This project aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of these novel HIV mucosal vaccines prior to clinical evaluation.
Even in well-resourced countries, the ability to continue treating HIV patients for their lifetime may become unaffordable, which has focused attention on developing a cure for HIV. We have exploited unique insights into a pathway for Tat expression from latent HIV to identify novel compounds that target HIV latency. This project assembles a multidisciplinary team to optimize the lead compounds, and develop novel drug regimens to fast-track into clinical development as a HIV-curative therapy.