Development of new methods to measure in vivo properties of human body tissues. This project will develop new methods of noninvasively measuring the viscoelastic properties of soft tissues in live humans, using a novel magnetic resonance elastography technique. These methods will be applied to study the operation of the human muscle-tendon system, differences in neck muscle properties with age and gender and to measure the properties of the human brain, kidney and liver in vivo. These techniques ....Development of new methods to measure in vivo properties of human body tissues. This project will develop new methods of noninvasively measuring the viscoelastic properties of soft tissues in live humans, using a novel magnetic resonance elastography technique. These methods will be applied to study the operation of the human muscle-tendon system, differences in neck muscle properties with age and gender and to measure the properties of the human brain, kidney and liver in vivo. These techniques may be useful in diagnosing soft tissue disease or injury which are currently difficult to detect using standard imaging techniques. It will also explain how the muscle-tendon unit moves during normal motion in live humans.Read moreRead less
Novel methods for detecting changes in soft tissue microstructure and biomechanical properties using multi-modality MR imaging. This project will lead to novel methods for studying the internal structure of the soft tissues of the body, such as muscles and brain tissue, and how this is affected by mechanical loading and disease states. The project will thoroughly validate these new methods. This will not only provide new techniques for research use, but lead to improved diagnostic techniques in ....Novel methods for detecting changes in soft tissue microstructure and biomechanical properties using multi-modality MR imaging. This project will lead to novel methods for studying the internal structure of the soft tissues of the body, such as muscles and brain tissue, and how this is affected by mechanical loading and disease states. The project will thoroughly validate these new methods. This will not only provide new techniques for research use, but lead to improved diagnostic techniques in the future.Read moreRead less
X-ray Micro-tomography Validation of HRCT-Based Airway Measurements. This project brings together a newly emergent modality of microscopy in the form of 3D X-ray micro-tomography (XRMT) along with leading-edge image analysis to develop breakthrough science in respiratory research aimed at improving the reliability of high resolution computed tomography (HRCT). The project will develop novel 3D lung image segmentation protocols, a stereotactic registration program allowing 3D matching of XRCT and ....X-ray Micro-tomography Validation of HRCT-Based Airway Measurements. This project brings together a newly emergent modality of microscopy in the form of 3D X-ray micro-tomography (XRMT) along with leading-edge image analysis to develop breakthrough science in respiratory research aimed at improving the reliability of high resolution computed tomography (HRCT). The project will develop novel 3D lung image segmentation protocols, a stereotactic registration program allowing 3D matching of XRCT and HRCT data sets, and a validation protocol for quantitative HRCT analysis of airway disease. These outcomes will allow wider application of HRCT to non-invasively follow the dynamics of pulmonary function.Read moreRead less
Prediction of tissue fate and functional outcome in acute ischemic stroke with advanced imaging analysis - experimental validation and translational studies. Stroke is predominantly a disease of ageing and the commonest cause of adult disability. In Australia, 55,000 people have a stroke each year (>80% are over age 65). The total number of strokes per year worldwide will rise 60% within the next two decades as the proportion of elderly in our population increases. This research will improve bra ....Prediction of tissue fate and functional outcome in acute ischemic stroke with advanced imaging analysis - experimental validation and translational studies. Stroke is predominantly a disease of ageing and the commonest cause of adult disability. In Australia, 55,000 people have a stroke each year (>80% are over age 65). The total number of strokes per year worldwide will rise 60% within the next two decades as the proportion of elderly in our population increases. This research will improve brain imaging selection for acute stroke therapies in clinical trials and practice. Better acute stroke therapies limit the size of brain damage from stroke and reduce long-term disability. Thus, this research will directly translate into allowing our population to 'age well and productively'.Read moreRead less
The early osteoarthritis (OA) phenotype. Australia like many other developed countries is undergoing a major demographic shift involving significant growth in the aged population. From both a patient perspective and a societal perspective, research into the underlying determinants of osteoarthritis such as those outlined in this proposal are of great importance to the aged population. Nearly one in five Australians has arthritis; indeed more Australians have arthritis than any other national hea ....The early osteoarthritis (OA) phenotype. Australia like many other developed countries is undergoing a major demographic shift involving significant growth in the aged population. From both a patient perspective and a societal perspective, research into the underlying determinants of osteoarthritis such as those outlined in this proposal are of great importance to the aged population. Nearly one in five Australians has arthritis; indeed more Australians have arthritis than any other national health priority condition. From an individual point-of-view, the pain and disability due to osteoarthritis (OA) can lead to loss of independence and diminished in quality of life for older adults.Read moreRead less
Development of Novel Two-dimensional Techniques for Magnetic Resonance In-vivo Spectroscopy. Body chemistry alters with functionality, pain, ageing and disease. These changes can be recorded by magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy (MRS) in vivo in a whole body MR scanner. When changes in chemistry can be recorded rapidly, and the individual species assigned, it will be possible to make a definitive diagnosis and in some cases allow the tailoring of treatment on an individual basis. This is curre ....Development of Novel Two-dimensional Techniques for Magnetic Resonance In-vivo Spectroscopy. Body chemistry alters with functionality, pain, ageing and disease. These changes can be recorded by magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy (MRS) in vivo in a whole body MR scanner. When changes in chemistry can be recorded rapidly, and the individual species assigned, it will be possible to make a definitive diagnosis and in some cases allow the tailoring of treatment on an individual basis. This is currently hampered by our inability to separate the composite resonances in a one dimensional MR spectrum. Research will allow two dimensional MRS to be implemented and provide detailed chemical information on human organs in vivo. Read moreRead less
DEEP DRILLING OF THE HUMAN PLASMA PROTEOME. Like turning out city lights lets you see the faint stars more clearly - removal of high abundance proteins from human biofluids allows quantum leaps in biomarker discovery. This project will develop products that remove the biggest obstacle in proteomics - high abundance proteins (city lights). Cheap, efficient and routine removal of abundant proteins will amplify the power of ?cutting edge? proteomic technologies in the discovery of novel biomarkers ....DEEP DRILLING OF THE HUMAN PLASMA PROTEOME. Like turning out city lights lets you see the faint stars more clearly - removal of high abundance proteins from human biofluids allows quantum leaps in biomarker discovery. This project will develop products that remove the biggest obstacle in proteomics - high abundance proteins (city lights). Cheap, efficient and routine removal of abundant proteins will amplify the power of ?cutting edge? proteomic technologies in the discovery of novel biomarkers. This is possible because undiscovered low copy number biomarkers (faint stars) exist in human diagnostic fluids at levels far lower than current proteomic array detection limits.Read moreRead less