Synthetic DNA Standards For Clinical Genome Sequencing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$870,005.00
Summary
Genome sequencing can diagnose a wide range of mutations that cause human disease. However, errors during sequencing and analysis can lead to incorrect diagnosis. We propose to develop synthetic representations of genetic mutations that are then added to a patient’s DNA sample and act as internal controls throughout the clinical sequencing workflow. These controls improve the accuracy and reliability of mutation detection, resulting in improved diagnosis and better-informed patient care.
Validation Of A Multiplexed Blood Based Screening Assay For The Diagnosis Of Colorectal Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$556,712.00
Summary
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cancer in Australia with poor patient outcome due to late detection of the disease. We have developed a simple blood based test that can diagnose individuals with CRC at an early stage when the chance of cure is greater than 80%.
Development Of Effective Biomarkers For The Diagnosis And Prognosis Of Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,062,585.00
Summary
Every year ~20,000 Australian men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and more than 3,000 die of this disease. The current PSA test for the diagnosis of prostate cancer is not specific and this can result in incorrect diagnosis, unnecessary biopsies and lead to wrong treatments. We have discovered a novel change in the biology of prostate cancer. We will use this information to develop new tests for prostate cancer, which provide early accurate detection and can predict disease progression.
Novel Prostate Cancer Target For Diagnosis, Imaging, Detection Of Recurrence And Response To Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$731,497.00
Summary
This project will generate the critical proof of concept to justify clinical development of a novel biomarker in prostate cancer which would bring significant benefit in terms of differential diagnosis of aggressive disease. The biomarker will be assessed for a functional role in prostate cancer and potential as a therapeutic target and use as a imaging agent in for monitoring disease progression and response to therapy. These investigations will be extended to other common solid tumours.
Development Of A Take-home Rehabilitation Device That Improves Visual Stability And Balance In Patients With Peripheral Vestibular Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$789,377.00
Summary
The balance system senses head motion via the balance organs, one in each inner ear, and stabilises vision during head movements. Without it, every time you walk, run, or drive on a bumpy road, the world appears to bounce. We have developed a device shown to reliably 'train up' the balance system. Our aim is to develop this device further for effective take-home rehabilitation.
Hear Assure: Saving Natural Hearing During Cochlear Implantation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,058,537.00
Summary
Cochlear implants provide hearing by electrical stimulation of the hearing nerve. Even people receiving cochlear implants may have natural hearing, which is lost in up to 70% of patients through trauma caused during implantation. This is a major barrier to the adoption of cochlear implants. To overcome this, we will deliver Hear Assure, our novel hearing-monitoring product that is integrated with the cochlear implant, enabling safe positioning of the implant to minimise loss of natural hearing.
Development Of Antimalarial Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$573,676.00
Summary
Human histone deacetylases (HDACs) are enzymes clinically validated as targets for cancer chemotherapy. Different HDAC enzymes are important for survival of infectious organisms, such as protozoan Plasmodium parasites that cause malaria. This project will develop promising drug leads that kill the parasites without damaging human cells through preclinical studies in mice towards a future clinical trial for the treatment of malaria in humans.
Development Of A Blood-based Screening Test For Colorectal Neoplasia; Biomarker Expression In Circulating Tumor Cells And Tumor-derived Microvesicles
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$513,938.00
Summary
A blood-based test for bowel cancer and the premalignant lesion (i.e. adenomas) has potential to improve several aspects of screening for bowel cancer – improved capacity to detect lesions in well people who do not suspect their presence, avoidance of faecal sampling and fewer false-positive results. There is no reliable simple screening test for adenomas. This study aims at developing a practical blood test based on a device that filters and enriches cells from blood that carry these markers