Harnessing lipid nano-assembly for next generation functional foods and pharmaceutical products. Nature assembles lipid molecules from our diet into useful structures in our gastrointestinal tract with remarkable precision and versatility. By understanding and harnessing these processes we can design new lipid-based nanomaterials leading to more effective functional foods and pharmaceutical products with reduced side effects.
Physico-chemical and Biopharmaceutical Investigations of Novel Drug Delivery Systems for Oral Administration of Lipophilic Drugs. The new platform technology for carrying lipophilic molecules will be applicable to many molecules currently under development by Australian Industry and will inspire novel encapsulation approaches to new and existing drugs as well as functional foods and nutraceuticals. Improved oral bioavailability of anticancer drugs will improve the quality of life of patients, re ....Physico-chemical and Biopharmaceutical Investigations of Novel Drug Delivery Systems for Oral Administration of Lipophilic Drugs. The new platform technology for carrying lipophilic molecules will be applicable to many molecules currently under development by Australian Industry and will inspire novel encapsulation approaches to new and existing drugs as well as functional foods and nutraceuticals. Improved oral bioavailability of anticancer drugs will improve the quality of life of patients, reduce health care costs and provide broader benefits to the community. The Australian biotechnology/pharmaceutical industries can share in a greater proportion of the US$50 billion market for specialised drug delivery, which is increasing by 20% annually. Australia's scientific competitiveness will be strengthened in the fields of nano-encapsulation and colloidal delivery.Read moreRead less
Skin penetration of nanoparticles promoted by particle design, formulation and application method. This project seeks to better define the determinants of nanoparticle skin penetration and subsequent disposition in the body. The data would be used to guide minimal skin penetration of 'undesirable' nanoparticles and the properties required of 'safe' nanoparticles to enable effective human skin delivery in cosmetic and dermatological products.
Using a battery of tests to evaluate the potential toxicity of remediated and unremediated soils and dusts contaminated with metals. An in vitro model simulating the intact and immature infant intestinal epithelium will be used to determine the changes in solubility and uptake of metals following in situ remediation processes. The earthworm and bacterial luminescence toxicity tests indicate the ecotoxicity of contaminated soils.
Many garden soils, household dusts, and industrial sites are conta ....Using a battery of tests to evaluate the potential toxicity of remediated and unremediated soils and dusts contaminated with metals. An in vitro model simulating the intact and immature infant intestinal epithelium will be used to determine the changes in solubility and uptake of metals following in situ remediation processes. The earthworm and bacterial luminescence toxicity tests indicate the ecotoxicity of contaminated soils.
Many garden soils, household dusts, and industrial sites are contaminated with lead, cadmium, and other metals. These pose a risk to human health, especially of children, and ecosystem health
These tests will be applied to prioritise sites where metal contamination exists and to evaluate the effectiveness of remediation techniques in reducing metal uptake and toxicity.Read moreRead less
Smart hybrid nano-biomaterials that mimic the pharmaceutical food effect. Smart biomaterials will be developed which when taken orally will act in our gut to improve drug and vitamin uptake. The breakthrough science will drive new pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals for the future health of Australia, and economic benefits will result through increased exposure to the global market for delivering biomolecules.
Early career teacher induction: Supporting precarious teachers. This project aims to investigate the ways in which Australian induction policies support precariously employed early career teachers to effectively manage student classroom behaviour. This project expects to generate new knowledge of workforce development and induction experiences of early career teachers employed on casual and short-term contracts. Expected outcomes of this project include alternative policy and practice recommenda ....Early career teacher induction: Supporting precarious teachers. This project aims to investigate the ways in which Australian induction policies support precariously employed early career teachers to effectively manage student classroom behaviour. This project expects to generate new knowledge of workforce development and induction experiences of early career teachers employed on casual and short-term contracts. Expected outcomes of this project include alternative policy and practice recommendations to support the transition of insecure replacement teachers within the profession. The benefits of this research include, improving teachers’ classroom management practices; the retention of new teachers; improving teacher workforce development; and building a healthier education system. Read moreRead less
Complex nano-systems for highly selective imaging and targeting of cells. The aim of the project is to design multi-functional nanoparticles that can be tracked by multiple bio-imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography imaging. The nanoparticles are designed to be targetable to specific cell populations and capable of delivering drugs. The project plans to concentrate the MRI-active gadolinium into nanoparticles to generate enhanced images, and ....Complex nano-systems for highly selective imaging and targeting of cells. The aim of the project is to design multi-functional nanoparticles that can be tracked by multiple bio-imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography imaging. The nanoparticles are designed to be targetable to specific cell populations and capable of delivering drugs. The project plans to concentrate the MRI-active gadolinium into nanoparticles to generate enhanced images, and to combine this with other imaging modalities to facilitate tracking and sensitivity. Expected outcomes would enable a new approach to extremely accurate and sensitive imaging of tumours to enable the imaging of much smaller tumours than currently possible. This would allow early therapeutic intervention. The nanoparticles are also designed to deliver a therapeutic payload to specific locations, avoiding systemic delivery of toxic anticancer drugs.Read moreRead less
Culturally Responsive Schooling. Australian schools are struggling to respond positively to the increasing cultural diversity of the student cohort. The aim of this study is to research how schools become culturally responsive and specifically explores how the affective environments of schools attend to the diverse cultural, academic and emotional needs of their communities. This this study brings together methods borrowed from educational ethnography, critical policy analysis, and educational ....Culturally Responsive Schooling. Australian schools are struggling to respond positively to the increasing cultural diversity of the student cohort. The aim of this study is to research how schools become culturally responsive and specifically explores how the affective environments of schools attend to the diverse cultural, academic and emotional needs of their communities. This this study brings together methods borrowed from educational ethnography, critical policy analysis, and educational action research. The study will inform curriculum and pedagogical reform in schools, changes to teacher education programs, and potentially ameliorate systemic inequality in Australian schooling. Read moreRead less
Equipping Australian teachers today to face AI tomorrow. Applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are set to transform society, including how people work and learn. Yet there is very little research about what Australian teachers need to know in order to prepare students to thrive in an AI-rich society and workforce. This study aims to construct a foundational understanding for teaching with and about AI. It will also show how to develop effective networks to empower teachers as active chang ....Equipping Australian teachers today to face AI tomorrow. Applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are set to transform society, including how people work and learn. Yet there is very little research about what Australian teachers need to know in order to prepare students to thrive in an AI-rich society and workforce. This study aims to construct a foundational understanding for teaching with and about AI. It will also show how to develop effective networks to empower teachers as active change agents. The expected outcomes will equip teachers with the knowledge and resources to lead the development of Australia’s future AI capability, including through enhanced classroom practices and more creative teacher networks.Read moreRead less
Generativity in young male (ex)prisoners: caring for self, other, and future within prison and beyond. As strategic basic research, the project will provide practitioners and academics with much needed qualitative data on the social, cultural and emotional dimensions of incarceration and how these impact life within and beyond custody. Such knowledge is critical for developing policies and practices capable of meaningfully reducing the high rates of reincarceration in all Australian states and t ....Generativity in young male (ex)prisoners: caring for self, other, and future within prison and beyond. As strategic basic research, the project will provide practitioners and academics with much needed qualitative data on the social, cultural and emotional dimensions of incarceration and how these impact life within and beyond custody. Such knowledge is critical for developing policies and practices capable of meaningfully reducing the high rates of reincarceration in all Australian states and territories. Importantly, the focus on generativity offers a new conceptual lens through which to reconsider the philosophy and practice of imprisonment, and, more specifically, to prisoner management or 'through-care' with regard to those who constitute the majority of the prison population nationally and internationally (young males).
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