Development Of Non-surgical Approach To Treating Tricuspid Regurgitation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$266,427.00
Summary
Heart failure is a common problem in which the heart enlarges and contracts poorly. In association with enlargement of the heart, the heart valves also begin to fail causing further worsening of quality and length of life. Failure of the tricuspid valve occurs in upto 87% of patients with heart failure and presently the only treatment option is high risk heart surgery. We are developing a way of dealing with tricuspid valve failure that does not require cardiac surgery.
A New Non-invasive Diagnostic Technique Based On Detection Of Exhaled Respiratory Pathogens.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$179,300.00
Summary
We developed a special collection mask and showed that the breath of people with colds or flu contains a tiny amount of virus. Currently, diagnostic samples are collected by putting a tube into the airways - this is very uncomfortable. Our masks may provide a new and more comfortable way to diagnose lung infections. We want to build better masks and ways to detect viruses and bacteria to test out this method. This may create a new test that will improve diagnosis and treatment.
Development Of Oral Natriuretic-like Peptides For Chronic Treatment Of Congestive Heart Failure
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$389,533.00
Summary
Congestive heart failure is fatal disease and a major disease burdon for the community affecting nearly half a million Australians.. Current therapies are inadequate and very limited in prolonging life. We seek to develop a new peptide therepy based on the effectivness of human B type natriuetic peptide which has to be given by injection. Our aim is to produce an orally active and effective treatment based on peptides discovered in snake venom. The program involves testing in animals and cells
Development Of A Chronically Implantable, Miniaturised Device For Monitoring Ventricular Function, To Assist Tracking An
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$335,000.00
Summary
Heart failure (HF) is increasing - with ~5million sufferers (1-3rd in New York Heart Association Class III-IV i.e. severe cases) in the US alone, and ~12-15 million worldwide. Its management consumes health resources and strains sufferers, families and institutions. The proposed monitoring-management device, chronically implanted by minimally invasive surgery, will track the heart’s pumping pattern. It will allow informed decisions to optimise therapy, thereby improving Quality of Life (QOL), de ....Heart failure (HF) is increasing - with ~5million sufferers (1-3rd in New York Heart Association Class III-IV i.e. severe cases) in the US alone, and ~12-15 million worldwide. Its management consumes health resources and strains sufferers, families and institutions. The proposed monitoring-management device, chronically implanted by minimally invasive surgery, will track the heart’s pumping pattern. It will allow informed decisions to optimise therapy, thereby improving Quality of Life (QOL), decreasing hospitalisations and decreasing healthcare costs. We aim to develop a small, chronically and easily implantable device to track changes in heart function in HF patients.Read moreRead less
Development Of Oral Natruiretic Peptides For Congestive Heart Failure
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$511,037.00
Summary
Congestive heart failure is fatal disease and a major disease burden for the community affecting nearly half a million Australians. Current therapies are inadequate. We seek to develop a new peptide therapy based on snake venom version of the human B type natriuretic peptide which has to be given by injection. We will produce an orally active, stable and effective treatment using a program of discovery involving testing in animals and cells.
A Novel Device To Improve Renal Blood Flow In Cardiorenal Syndrome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$198,900.00
Summary
The aim of this project is to assist in the development of a novel device to treat poor delivery of blood to the kidneys in conditions such as heart muscle weakness (chronic heart failure, CHF). Specifically we aim to build a prototype and test the device in a relevant animal model of CHF. Chronic heart failure is a major public health problem affecting >10% of the adult population over the age of 60 years. It is associated with high morbidity, mortality, frequent hospitalisation and major co ....The aim of this project is to assist in the development of a novel device to treat poor delivery of blood to the kidneys in conditions such as heart muscle weakness (chronic heart failure, CHF). Specifically we aim to build a prototype and test the device in a relevant animal model of CHF. Chronic heart failure is a major public health problem affecting >10% of the adult population over the age of 60 years. It is associated with high morbidity, mortality, frequent hospitalisation and major cost burden on the public health system. Weak heart muscle results in poor delivery of blood to the kidneys. Poor delivery to the kidneys activates circulating hormones which in turn further impair cardiac function by adverse effects on the heart. We have developed and patented a novel catheter based system for improvement of renal function via a purpose built device. Proof-of-concept studies have shown that the device should improve kidney blood flow in the setting of CHF. Given the huge public health problem of heart failure and the importance of the kidney in this setting, the commercial potential for a simple device that can be positioned via a catheter-based approach, permanently implanted is large. The device is currently being constructed by the Monash University Department of Engineering where expertise exists with regard to biomedical devices and materials engineering. A series of proof-of-concept studies will then be performed in sheep, as the vasculature of the sheep roughly approximates the dimensions of man. Sheep with CHF will have the device inserted percutaneously into the aorta. Measurements will be made of renal artery flow, relevant circulatory hormones and ultrasound of the heart at baseline (pre-deployment) and following deployment. We believe the above studies (should they be successful) will be sufficient to constitute definitive proof-of-concept and thus allow the device to be commercialised, most likely by a licensing arrangement with a device company.Read moreRead less
Mechanically-restricted Percutaneous Gene Therapeutic Solutions For Heart Failure.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$187,000.00
Summary
We have developed a novel system for the localized delivery of specialised genes to the heart in order to improve contractility and function of a failing heart. Many genes, for reasons of toxicity, clearance, or uptake, require direct delivery to the target region without spillover to the systemic circulation. Our system addresses these issues by isolating the local circulation of the target organ and directly delivering the agent with minimal systemic loss and improved delivery and uptake effic ....We have developed a novel system for the localized delivery of specialised genes to the heart in order to improve contractility and function of a failing heart. Many genes, for reasons of toxicity, clearance, or uptake, require direct delivery to the target region without spillover to the systemic circulation. Our system addresses these issues by isolating the local circulation of the target organ and directly delivering the agent with minimal systemic loss and improved delivery and uptake efficiency, while minimizing potentially dangerous and toxic systemic effects.Read moreRead less
Oxidised Mannan As A Novel Adjuvant To Vaccinate Against Mucosal Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$150,000.00
Summary
Most pathogens invade via the mucosal surfaces. However, current vaccines, which are delivered by injection, are poor at inducing mucosal immunity. An ideal vaccine would comprise a defined protein antigen combined with a suitable adjuvant which could be administered intranasally or orally. Protective antigens have been defined for a number of infections but suitable adjuvants have been elusive. We showed that mannan, a complex carbohydrate from yeast, oxidatively linked to protein antigens can ....Most pathogens invade via the mucosal surfaces. However, current vaccines, which are delivered by injection, are poor at inducing mucosal immunity. An ideal vaccine would comprise a defined protein antigen combined with a suitable adjuvant which could be administered intranasally or orally. Protective antigens have been defined for a number of infections but suitable adjuvants have been elusive. We showed that mannan, a complex carbohydrate from yeast, oxidatively linked to protein antigens can be used as an adjuvant for mucosal IgA and other classes of antibody. Given to mice intranasally, antigen coupled to mannan markedly enhanced production of IgA, IgG1 and IgG2a in serum, and IgA in lung, tears, vaginal secretions, saliva and gut. We have confirmed this for a number of known or putative protective antigens. In addition, both the Th1 and Th2 arms of the lymphocyte response were activated. We have demonstrated protection against P. gingivalis (cause of periodontitis and associated with premature birth and cardiovascular disease) in a mouse lesion model. However, before commercial interests will commit themselves, we need to demonstrate protection against viral infections and in other sites like lungs and gut. Three infection models where IgA has been shown to protect are already set up and can realistically produce results in 1 year. 1. Rotavirus is the major cause of severe infantile gastroenteritis in humans and animals world wide. The latest (live) vaccine was withdrawn because of side effects. We have established a model with Simian rotavirus causing an acute self-limiting disease in infant mice. Adult females will be immunised with mannan linked to killed virus preparations, mated and passive protection of their offspring will be assessed. Preliminary evidence links rotavirus infection with the onset of type 1 diabetes. If this is confirmed, there will be an opportunity to test the vaccine against diabetes. 2. Influenza: IN infection of mice with flu virus is a well established model. Mice will be immunised IN with mannan coupled to haemagglutinin-neuraminidase purified from egg-grown virus. They will be challenged IN with influenza virus and virus titrated in lung homogenates. Neutralising antibody in serum and lung washings will essayed. 3. Respiratory syncytial virus: RSV is the commonest cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants for which there have been unsuccessful attempts to produce a vaccine. F and G membrane glycoproteins have been shown to protect mice against IN infection, and they will be used coupled to mannan to vaccinate mice against intranasal challenge.Read moreRead less
Dynamic In Vivo Size & Shape Measurement Of The Human Upper Airway Using Endoscopic Long-range Optical Coherence Tomogra
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$184,250.00
Summary
This project will fund the construction of a clinically deployable prototype device to measure changes in upper airway size and shape in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea. We have recently developed and validated a technique based on endoscopic optical coherence tomography (OCT). Preliminary in vivo studies have been performed in the human upper airway and the results published. To our knowledge, this is the only such system world-wide capable of making these important measurements. The tec ....This project will fund the construction of a clinically deployable prototype device to measure changes in upper airway size and shape in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea. We have recently developed and validated a technique based on endoscopic optical coherence tomography (OCT). Preliminary in vivo studies have been performed in the human upper airway and the results published. To our knowledge, this is the only such system world-wide capable of making these important measurements. The technique has wide commercially applicability as it can be used to measure the internal dimensions of any hollow organ system.Read moreRead less