Development Of A High Acuity, Diamond Retinal Prosthesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,010,214.00
Summary
Over recent years our team has developed a retinal implant to restore sight to people with certain types of blindness. With 256 independently controllable electrodes this device is among the most sophisticated in the world. We aim to conduct experiments to demonstrate that our device can provide improved better visual acuity than the world leaders with a view to developing a competitive commercial medical technology.
Compound Culture Media To Improve Human IVF Pregnancies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$254,340.00
Summary
In Australia 1 in 6 couples require IVF to conceive. Although pregnancy rates have improved over the last 10 years the live birth rate in Australia per cycle is only 17%. This project will assess a new method for the culture of embryos for the ability to maintain embryo vitality and produce healthy babies.
Development Of A Novel Microfluidic Device To Treat Male Infertility
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$508,397.00
Summary
This research aims to develop a novel technology for the separation of high quality sperm. It is envisaged this will replace existing technology to improve the reproductive outcomes of both humans, as well as animals.
From The Synchrotron To The Clinic: Translation Of A Novel Functional Lung Imaging Technology
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$891,834.00
Summary
Our team has recently developed a synchrotron technology with a startling capacity for dynamic functional imaging that can act as a sensitive regional indicator of lung disease. We will demonstrate that this technology can be translated from the synchrotron to the lab and eventually the clinic. We will provide proof of this concept by the application of this technology to emphysema, asthma, lung cancer, cystic fibrosis lung disease and neonatal resuscitation.
Development Of A Safe Live Genetically Attenuated Blood Stage Malaria Vaccine
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$822,191.00
Summary
Malaria presents an enormous global health problem, and also has a significant impact on social and economic development in countries where the disease is endemic. Our project will produce a live genetically-modified vaccine against Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite that causes the form of malaria mostly deadly to humans. Our development plan will include the first ever clinical trials of a malaria vaccine of this kind and will look at vaccine safety and effectiveness.
Cachexia is a major side effect of cancer, resulting in significant muscle wasting, fat loss and organ failure. Up to 80% of cancer patients suffer and 25% succumb to this condition. This significantly affects the treatment regimens of cancer patients and affects their quality of life. We have developed monoclonal antibodies that block and reverse cachexia in preclinical mouse cancer models. Our aims are to humanise the antibody and manufacture it for the first clinical trial in humans.
Targeting Complement C5a Receptor 2 As A Disease-modifying Treatment For Motor Neuron Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$636,329.00
Summary
Motor neuron disease (MND) is a devasting terminal condition that has no effective treatment. We have identified a novel drug which inhibits an immune protein that can potentially treat MND. In this project we will test this drug in rodent models of MND, and validate its effectiveness in relevant MND immune cells. Ultimately, this project will identify a new potential drug for MND.
Targeting Ribosomal RNA Transcription With CX-5461 As A New Approach For Treating Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$864,067.00
Summary
We have made the fundamental discovery that ribosomal gene transcription is not simply a 'house keeping' process in cancer cells but is required to maintain malignant cell viability. Strikingly inhibition of ribosomal gene transcription using a novel small molecule inhibitor, CX-5461, shows profound selectivity for malignant cells over normal cells. This proposal will translate these observations into 'first in man' phase 1 clinical trials of CX-5461 for the treatment of blood cancers.
Development Of An Extended Release Oral Formulation Of Milrinone For Patients With Advanced Heart Failure
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$467,083.00
Summary
Heart failure is a debilitating condition associated with frequent hospitalization. Milrinone is an effective intravenous drug used to treat acute deteriorations. Previously, oral milrinone failed because of the lack of availability of appropriate formulations. We have developed an oral formulation which provides stable release of the medication. This application will evaluate the effectiveness of the drug in man and provide the documentation to take the project forward for partnership with indu ....Heart failure is a debilitating condition associated with frequent hospitalization. Milrinone is an effective intravenous drug used to treat acute deteriorations. Previously, oral milrinone failed because of the lack of availability of appropriate formulations. We have developed an oral formulation which provides stable release of the medication. This application will evaluate the effectiveness of the drug in man and provide the documentation to take the project forward for partnership with industry as a means to clinical translation.Read moreRead less
Skin Patch Technology For Fast And Simple Monitoring Of Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$826,064.00
Summary
Micropatch kits will be developed to capture and detect disease-related biomarkers from the skin for diagnostic monitoring, without the need for needles, trained practitioners or expensive laboratory infrastructure