Regulation and expression of disease resistance responses in the Rhynchosporium secalis/barley interaction. The barley leaf scald fungus, Rhynchosporium secalis, causes annual losses of up to 10% in Australia's major export crop, barley. The primary aim of this project is to isolate and understand the interplay of genes specifically involved in the regulation of resistance to scald. Several resistance-specific genes will be functionally analysed to identify regulatory signalling pathways that li ....Regulation and expression of disease resistance responses in the Rhynchosporium secalis/barley interaction. The barley leaf scald fungus, Rhynchosporium secalis, causes annual losses of up to 10% in Australia's major export crop, barley. The primary aim of this project is to isolate and understand the interplay of genes specifically involved in the regulation of resistance to scald. Several resistance-specific genes will be functionally analysed to identify regulatory signalling pathways that link genetic expression with the specific gene-for-gene disease resistance phenotype. Knowledge of the genes controlling signalling processes within the disease-challenged plant will allow for the development of more effective and durable resistances by traditional breeding and transgenic approaches.Read moreRead less
Understanding Influences On Oral Health Of Contemporary Australian Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,388.00
Summary
This study will contribute to an understanding of the factors affecting child oral health. Findings will have scientific value and relevance for the policy-making process in developing new methods of oral health prevention to target modifiable factors that will lead to improvement of oral health of children
Delivering Effective Dental Healthcare In 2020-2030: A National Longitudinal Partnership Study Of Burden Of Oral Diseases In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,056,522.00
Summary
The proposed partnership project will focus on five main areas: 1. The evaluation of changes in oral diseases. 2. The assessment of the incidence of oral diseases and its relationships with service systems and individual healthcare behaviours. 3. The estimation of the burden of oral diseases in the period 2020–30. 4. The assessment of cost-effectiveness of the various patterns of dental service use. 5. The knowledge translation involving policymakers and dental service providers.
Improving Maternal And Infant Outcomes: A Multicentre Randomised Controlled Trial Of Midwifery And Dental Intervention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$457,724.00
Summary
Poor oral health during pregnancy can impact the health of the mother and baby. Yet, many expectant mothers are unaware of the implications of poor oral health. In Australia there is a lack of importance being placed on maternal oral health. The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of a new service which will promote maternal oral health through collaboration between midwives and dentists. We expect the new service will improve women's oral health, uptake of dental services and po ....Poor oral health during pregnancy can impact the health of the mother and baby. Yet, many expectant mothers are unaware of the implications of poor oral health. In Australia there is a lack of importance being placed on maternal oral health. The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of a new service which will promote maternal oral health through collaboration between midwives and dentists. We expect the new service will improve women's oral health, uptake of dental services and potentially improve pregnancy outcomes.Read moreRead less
Randomised Control Trial Of Effectiveness Of Silver Fluoride In Managing Deciduous Dental Caries In Remote Aboriginal Communities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$695,220.00
Summary
This study seeks to test a non-invasive treatment for dental decay in young children which may prevent the progression of the decay further into the tooth. This treatment is currently used in some areas. Dental decay is very common in young children in remote communities where access to dental care is often limited. The treatment may reduce pain and oral and facial infections sometimes leading to hospitalisation.
The biology and epidemiology of the grapevine canker fungi, Botryosphaeria sp. Decline and dieback of grapevines is becoming an increasing problem for the viticulture industry in NSW. Recently, species of the fungus Botryosphaeria, were isolated from grapevines exhibiting these symptoms. In order to understand the biology and epidemiology of the causal organisms, we aim to; (i) determine species of Botryosphaeria present in NSW vineyards; (ii) determine which species are pathogenic on grapevines ....The biology and epidemiology of the grapevine canker fungi, Botryosphaeria sp. Decline and dieback of grapevines is becoming an increasing problem for the viticulture industry in NSW. Recently, species of the fungus Botryosphaeria, were isolated from grapevines exhibiting these symptoms. In order to understand the biology and epidemiology of the causal organisms, we aim to; (i) determine species of Botryosphaeria present in NSW vineyards; (ii) determine which species are pathogenic on grapevines; (iii) characterise the genetic diversity of strains and; (iv) screen fungicides for the control of these fungi. Information on the species, their biology and pathogenicity on grapevines, will enable the development of appropriate management strategies for its control and may lead to the development of molecular tools to identify species of Botryosphaeria.Read moreRead less
Interactions between genotype, plant nutrition and fungal disease development in strawberry. Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) growers lose more than 30% of their crop annually to disease. This project will elucidate the role of plant nutrition in disease development and investigate the interaction/s between plant genotype, pathogen and the environment. The physiological basis for durable resistance will also be established. Molecular markers for field resistance and nutrient use efficiency will ....Interactions between genotype, plant nutrition and fungal disease development in strawberry. Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) growers lose more than 30% of their crop annually to disease. This project will elucidate the role of plant nutrition in disease development and investigate the interaction/s between plant genotype, pathogen and the environment. The physiological basis for durable resistance will also be established. Molecular markers for field resistance and nutrient use efficiency will be developed for use in breeding programs. Furthermore, this project will enhance profitability and sustainability of the Australian strawberry industry.
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Impaired Bone Remodelling Leads To Failure Of Orthopaedic Prostheses
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$515,917.00
Summary
The failure of bone prostheses is becoming a major health problem. More than 26,000 hip, and an equal number of knee, replacements were performed in Australia in 2002 with the number increasing between 5%-10% each year for the previous 10 years. Disturbingly, the incidence of revision hip surgery in Australia is now more than 15%, meaning that, despite the impressive success of joint replacement surgery, a significant number of arthroplasties fail. It is becoming more common for young, active in ....The failure of bone prostheses is becoming a major health problem. More than 26,000 hip, and an equal number of knee, replacements were performed in Australia in 2002 with the number increasing between 5%-10% each year for the previous 10 years. Disturbingly, the incidence of revision hip surgery in Australia is now more than 15%, meaning that, despite the impressive success of joint replacement surgery, a significant number of arthroplasties fail. It is becoming more common for young, active individuals to receive joint replacement surgery to improve their quality of life. This, combined with increasing life expectancy, and the known higher rate of failure of joint replacements in younger patients, means that the morbidity of a failed replacement, and the mobidity and associated mortality of revision surgery, will become an increasingly important health issue, with a major impact upon health budgets. The overwhelming majority of hip and knee prostheses have metal or ceramic on polyethylene bearing surfaces. It is now apparent that most implants fail due to bone loss around them leading to loosening, and evidence is accumulating that polyethylene wear particles are a major contributing factor to this process. It is therefore vital that we obtain better understanding of the causes of implant failure in order to extend the life of these implants and this project is designed to do so.Read moreRead less
Control of foliar diseases in horticulture using milk components: widening applicability through understanding mechanisms. Fungal diseases, such as powdery mildew and botrytis grey mould, have the potential to cause considerable losses in horticultural crops. Chemical fungicides, some of which are broad-spectrum biocides potentially harmful to human health, are applied routinely in disease management. Milk and whey, which can damage powdery mildew fungi, offer alternatives to conventional fungic ....Control of foliar diseases in horticulture using milk components: widening applicability through understanding mechanisms. Fungal diseases, such as powdery mildew and botrytis grey mould, have the potential to cause considerable losses in horticultural crops. Chemical fungicides, some of which are broad-spectrum biocides potentially harmful to human health, are applied routinely in disease management. Milk and whey, which can damage powdery mildew fungi, offer alternatives to conventional fungicides. Identification of the components of milk which damage fungi, and their mechanisms of activity, will facilitate the development of environmentally sustainable strategies for management of fungal diseases in Australian horticulture. This will have particular benefits for personnel who regularly apply fungicides in glasshouses.Read moreRead less
Cell wall structure and dynamics in emerging fungal pathogens of crops. The project aims to understand the role of fungal cell wall biosynthetic enzymes in cell wall stability. The fungal cell wall is a dynamic structure whose composition constantly changes in response to biotic and abiotic stresses and at different developmental stages. The devastating fungal crop pathogen Fusarium graminearum is responsible for the head blight disease in cereals. The project aims to understand the molecular ev ....Cell wall structure and dynamics in emerging fungal pathogens of crops. The project aims to understand the role of fungal cell wall biosynthetic enzymes in cell wall stability. The fungal cell wall is a dynamic structure whose composition constantly changes in response to biotic and abiotic stresses and at different developmental stages. The devastating fungal crop pathogen Fusarium graminearum is responsible for the head blight disease in cereals. The project aims to understand the molecular events that govern metabolism and dynamics of the cell wall of F. graminearum. The project also plans to characterise the molecular interactions involved in plant defence against fungal pathogens and fungal responses to plant immune factors called defensins. Expected long-term outcomes include the development of novel strategies for disease control and crop protection.Read moreRead less