N-Acetyl Cysteine In Schizophrenia Resistant To Clozapine: A Double-Blind Randomised Placebo-Controlled Trial Targeting Negative Symptoms
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$981,789.00
Summary
Many patients with schizophrenia remain treatment resistant even after “last resort” medications like clozapine. This proposal will conduct a novel multi-site randomised placebo controlled trial of adjunctive N-acetyl cysteine in patients with clozapine resistant schizophrenia. Treatment efficacy will be examined at 8, 26 and 52 weeks.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160101570
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$352,000.00
Summary
Inducible hyper-expression as a tool for metabolic engineering. This project aims to develop methods to improve plant natural products yields and diversify the products manufactured from a wide array of plant species. Valuable plant metabolites, including chemotherapeutics and opiates, are usually synthesised in minute amounts and can be so complex they can’t be chemically manufactured, limiting their use and affordability. This project aims to develop an inducible system that confers hyper-elev ....Inducible hyper-expression as a tool for metabolic engineering. This project aims to develop methods to improve plant natural products yields and diversify the products manufactured from a wide array of plant species. Valuable plant metabolites, including chemotherapeutics and opiates, are usually synthesised in minute amounts and can be so complex they can’t be chemically manufactured, limiting their use and affordability. This project aims to develop an inducible system that confers hyper-elevated levels of gene expression and independent control of multiple genes involved in metabolite synthesis in the same host. This technology is expected to enable flexible multi-trait bio-factories to be developed.Read moreRead less
The “New” Biochemistry of Polyamines: When Metabolic Pathways Collide. Basic biochemistry and the metabolic regulation of proliferation remain as the fundamental building blocks of knowledge in cell biology that have enabled breakthrough advances in biology and medicine. Polyamines are unique and ubiquitous low-Mr amines that play vital roles in many biological processes, including proliferation, DNA/RNA synthesis, etc. This proposal will mechanistically dissect the "new" biochemistry of polyami ....The “New” Biochemistry of Polyamines: When Metabolic Pathways Collide. Basic biochemistry and the metabolic regulation of proliferation remain as the fundamental building blocks of knowledge in cell biology that have enabled breakthrough advances in biology and medicine. Polyamines are unique and ubiquitous low-Mr amines that play vital roles in many biological processes, including proliferation, DNA/RNA synthesis, etc. This proposal will mechanistically dissect the "new" biochemistry of polyamines, as we have discovered that polyamines are regulated by iron at 2-major levels, involving >10-key polyamine pathway proteins. This proposal represents first-in-field studies specifically designed to dissect mechanisms involved in this relationship. Our Central Hypothesis is that iron regulates polyamine metabolism.Read moreRead less
Improving crops from the ground up: genetic solutions to optimise roots. This project aims to develop future crops with optimised root systems by overcoming genetic constraints that currently restrict their potential. Exploiting advances in genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics and genome editing, this project expects to advance understanding of the biology and genetic controls of root development and responses to concurrent stressors, including drought, nutrient deficiency and soil-borne disea ....Improving crops from the ground up: genetic solutions to optimise roots. This project aims to develop future crops with optimised root systems by overcoming genetic constraints that currently restrict their potential. Exploiting advances in genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics and genome editing, this project expects to advance understanding of the biology and genetic controls of root development and responses to concurrent stressors, including drought, nutrient deficiency and soil-borne disease. It is anticipated that project outcomes will support the development of crops equipped with novel root traits, enhancing resource-use efficiency and yield stability amid climate variability. This globally relevant research is designed to benefit the sustainability and profitability of the Australian grains industry.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210100854
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$461,249.00
Summary
Model-directed bioengineering strategy for accelerating crop improvement. The aim is to use an advanced mechanistic crop model to investigate the interacting plant physiological processes that define yield consequences, using a sorghum model. This will involve unravelling the complex relationship between leaf gas exchange properties and crop field performance. Through a unique combination of model prediction and gene editing to target the photosynthetic pathway and stomata, the research is expec ....Model-directed bioengineering strategy for accelerating crop improvement. The aim is to use an advanced mechanistic crop model to investigate the interacting plant physiological processes that define yield consequences, using a sorghum model. This will involve unravelling the complex relationship between leaf gas exchange properties and crop field performance. Through a unique combination of model prediction and gene editing to target the photosynthetic pathway and stomata, the research is expected to gain a deep mechanistic understanding of the underpinning processes and drive the transfer of promising bioengineering targets into crops. The research is expected to discover new avenues for crop improvement, and significantly benefit crop breeding and food production capacity.Read moreRead less
Role Of Chemoattractants In Hepatic Stellate Cell Recruitment And Fibrogenesis In Paediatric Cholestatic Liver Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$589,175.00
Summary
This project investigates how decreased bile flow in children's liver diseases such as cystic fibrosis and biliary atresia, leads to the release of molecules from the liver which cause recruitment of scar-forming cells. This results in cirrhosis (liver scar) and the necessity for liver transplantation. This project will investigate whether some children are more susceptible to liver scarring due to mutations in genes which cause increased release of these recruitment molecules from the liver.
I am a hepatology scientist investigating the mechanisms associated with the development of hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis in chronic liver diseases affecting children (cystic fibrosis liver disease and biliary atresia) and adults (haemochromatosis).
Industrial Transformation Training Centres - Grant ID: IC160100027
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,340,802.00
Summary
ARC Training Centre for Biopharmaceutical Innovation. ARC Training Centre for Biopharmaceutical Innovation. This centre aims to transform Australia’s growing biopharmaceutical industry, an advanced manufacturing capability, by training specialist biotechnologists and bioengineers. It expects the research and development outputs will create new biopharmaceuticals and antibody-based reagents, enhanced production methods, improved manufacturing capabilities and a cohort of specialist scientists. Ne ....ARC Training Centre for Biopharmaceutical Innovation. ARC Training Centre for Biopharmaceutical Innovation. This centre aims to transform Australia’s growing biopharmaceutical industry, an advanced manufacturing capability, by training specialist biotechnologists and bioengineers. It expects the research and development outputs will create new biopharmaceuticals and antibody-based reagents, enhanced production methods, improved manufacturing capabilities and a cohort of specialist scientists. New biopharmaceuticals are expected to benefit the Australian economy and provide new therapeutic options for better health outcomes. Industry-driven research projects will also provide industry-ready graduates who can drive future growth in the sector.Read moreRead less
Understanding how RNA editing regulates RNA fate. This project aims to address how RNA editing mediated by ADAR1 alters the interactions of targeted RNA with the innate immune sensing system. ADAR1 editing converts adenosine to inosine within double stranded RNA. It is known that this is key to prevent activation of the innate immune sensor MDA5 by endogenous RNA. However, we do not understand why edited RNA is tolerated and unedited RNA is not. This project will generate new knowledge regarding ....Understanding how RNA editing regulates RNA fate. This project aims to address how RNA editing mediated by ADAR1 alters the interactions of targeted RNA with the innate immune sensing system. ADAR1 editing converts adenosine to inosine within double stranded RNA. It is known that this is key to prevent activation of the innate immune sensor MDA5 by endogenous RNA. However, we do not understand why edited RNA is tolerated and unedited RNA is not. This project will generate new knowledge regarding the effect of editing on how endogenous RNA is perceived by the innate immune system.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH220100017
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,808,669.00
Summary
ARC Research Hub for Advanced Manufacture of Targeted Radiopharmaceuticals. Radiopharmaceuticals are emerging as next generation medical technologies for addressing complex health challenges, and their manufacture offers significant economic benefit to Australia. The ARC Research Hub for Advanced Manufacture of Targeted Radiopharmaceuticals (AMTAR) aims to establish a manufacturing platform for new medical technologies combining innovations in biotechnology and pharmaceutical science. The progra ....ARC Research Hub for Advanced Manufacture of Targeted Radiopharmaceuticals. Radiopharmaceuticals are emerging as next generation medical technologies for addressing complex health challenges, and their manufacture offers significant economic benefit to Australia. The ARC Research Hub for Advanced Manufacture of Targeted Radiopharmaceuticals (AMTAR) aims to establish a manufacturing platform for new medical technologies combining innovations in biotechnology and pharmaceutical science. The program addresses industry-led challenges for translation of biologics as molecular radiopharmaceuticals, building capacity in biomanufacturing, radiobiology and radiochemistry. The program establishes a dedicated manufacturing pipeline, future-proofing production and securing supply chain of next generation medical technologies.Read moreRead less