| 1.
SYSTEMS BIOLOGY FOR INTERVENTION.
Cancer research
is primarily at the molecular and cellular level
with investigation of the apoptosis pathway through
Wnt signalling regulation
and p53- mediated tumour
suppression and enhanced host anti-tumour
responses. Principal cancers studied are mesothelioma
and melanoma; in neither case has adequate treatment
been achieved to date.
Current projects:
Inflammation
research is focussed on two major areas:
(i) Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)
have been studied and evaluated for usefulness
in treating asthma and allergy. Novel analytical
techniques, molecular modelling and cell-based
testing are leading to certain carbohydrate molecules
being selected for "proof-of-concept"
studies. (ii) Inflammatory
responses associated with mucosal membranes,
in particular those to bacteria and allergens
of the airways.
Current projects:
Insulin-related
diseases research is primarily directed
to diabetes research in which small molecules
(insulin mimetics)
that stimulate the insulin receptor and lower
blood glucose have been discovered and are now
under-going lead optimisation. The research has
involved molecular modelling, medicinal chemistry
and molecular and cellular
analysis of ligand/receptor interaction.
Current projects:
Neurosciences
research is at the molecular and descriptive
levels with (i) Alzheimer's
Disease genetics and biology through national
collaboration and (ii) stereotaxic
mapping of mammalian and avian brains.
Current projects:
2. NEW AGENTS AND
THEIR DELIVERY.
Nanoparticles.
Design, manufacture and testing of nanoparticles
is targeted to deliver drug compounds (peptides
and small molecules) across the blood brain barrier.
This key research conducted in collaboration with
the Nanochemistry Research
Institute (NRI) at Curtin and other national
and international scientists has already resulted
in "break-through" payloads of compounds.
Current projects:
Medicinal
Chemistry underpins a number of projects,
notably the diabetes "insulin mimetic"
research incorporating a major collaboration with
NRI, including HDR students on synthesis of compounds.
Bioactive
molecules research includes (i) isolation
and identification of compounds from traditional
medicinal plants and (ii) characterisation
of biofilms on environmental
surfaces.
Current projects:
Pharmacology,
Absorption and Formulation of drug
compounds focuses on evaluating the effectiveness
of (i) treatment regimens with anti-malarial
compounds in mouse models, and (ii) absorption
via the skin and gastrointestinal
tract of drugs, especially ways of enhancing
dermal absorption and studies of drug resistance
(eg MDR and pGP pathways in Caco2 cells), respectively.
Current projects:
Biomolecular
Modelling (BMM) and Computer-aided Drug Design
(CADD) aim to advance our understanding
of the structure and dynamics of molecules of
biological interest and underpin several drug
discovery research projects. The BMM group develops
new methods of molecular simulation and focusses
on solvation/hydration and protein dynamics considerations.
CADD applied research has produced a new rapid
method of in silico screening - compounds
are under testing for anti-cancer, anti-viral
and anti-bacterial activity.
Current projects:
3. HEALTH POLICY
IMPROVEMENT.
MRSA research
of critical genes in antibiotic resistance transfer
and strain identification has allowed mapping
of outbreaks in hospitals and carriage in the
community. This is leading to continued improvement
in policies for handling these "superbugs".
Current projects:
Pharmacy
Practice research includes evaluation
of pharmacists impact on patient care and health
care costs, particularly drug compliance in diabetes
and hypertension and the delivery, control and
monitoring of psychostimulant drugs as well as
opiate analogues in the community.
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