Biomedical – Page 2

Development of Synthetic Carbohydrate Biomimetics as Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Prophylactics

Primary Supervisor: Dr David Leaver
Co-supervisors: Dr. Doaa Hanafy
Location: Wagga Wagga
Keywords: UTI, carbohydrates, biomimetics
Study Availability: Available until December 2027
Research Group: Medical Sciences

Synopsis:
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are caused by gram-negative uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) and present a significant health burden for women with approximately 20 million cases reported annually. Approximately 20-40% of women treated with antibiotics will have at least one recurrence within 6 months of initial diagnosis which results in a loss of 2 billion dollars per year in the US alone. The main goal of this project is to develop novel antagonists of the mannose-binding type I pilus adhesin FimH, which is required to colonize the bladder epithelium during UTIs.

Interested? Start the conversation here by contacting Dr David Leaver

Design of Cholesterol Biosynthesis Inhibitors as Anticancer Agents

Primary Supervisor: Dr David Leaver
Co-supervisors: Dr Boris Budiono and Dr Ken Chinkwo
Location: Wagga Wagga
Keywords: cancer, cholesterol, enzymes
Study Availability: Available until December 2027
Research Group: Medical Sciences

Synopsis:
Much research over the last several decades has been focused on finding novel anticancer agents that inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis, however, there has been little to no success in this endeavor and the pharmaceutical industry is reluctant to pursue sterol biosynthesis inhibitor drug development. Over the last couple of years structural biology advances have enabled the crystal structures of post-squalene cholesterogenesis enzymes to be solved that can be used to design novel cholesterol biosynthesis inhibitors. This project will use a structure guided approach to discover new anticancer drugs that selectively inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis enzymes.

Crystal structures of enzymes in the post-squalene segment of cholesterogenesis A: Crystal structure of squalene monooxygenase bound with FAD (black) and “Cmpd 4” (blue), PDB 6C6N; B: Crystal structure of lanosterol synthase bound with lanosterol (black), PDB 1W6K; C: Crystal structure of Emopamil-Binding Protein bound with U18666A (red), PDB 6OHT; D: Crystal structure of sterol 14α-methyl demethylase bound with ketoconazole (red), PDB 3LD6. Figure adapted from Biochemical Pharmacology 2022, 196, 114611.

Interested? Start the conversation here by contacting Dr David Leaver

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Cyclic Peptides

Primary Supervisor: Dr David Leaver
Co-supervisors: Dr. Doaa Hanafy
Location: Wagga Wagga
Keywords: Infectious diseases, peptides, enzymes
Study Availability: Available until December 2027
Research Group: Medical Sciences

Synopsis:
Opportunistic pathogens in humans cause millions of deaths each year and there is an urgent need to find new drugs right now! Macrocyclic peptides were chosen for this project as they bind to their molecular targets with high affinity and selectivity, while exhibiting greater proteolytic stability and membrane permeability in comparison to their linear counterparts. Cyclic peptides designed and synthesized in this project will be screened against enzyme targets in order to discover novel antimicrobial drugs.

Interested? Start the conversation here by contacting Dr David Leaver

Innovative nutraceutical strategies for the management of diabetes

Primary Supervisor: Dr. Nidhish Francis
Location: Wagga Wagga
Keywords: diabetes, polyphenols, cell culture, oxidative stress
Research Group: Food As Medicine (FAM) research group

Synopsis: This research project focuses on investigating plant-derived bioactive compounds, particularly polyphenols, as potential therapeutic agents for diabetes management. Diabetes, a chronic metabolic disorder characterised by impaired glucose metabolism and insulin resistance, affects millions worldwide. Current pharmacological treatments primarily manage symptoms but fail to address underlying mechanisms or prevent disease progression. This project aims to explore the potential of plant-derived polyphenols to regulate key pathways involved in diabetes development and progression.

Polyphenols, naturally occurring antioxidants found in plant-based foods, have shown promise in mitigating oxidative stress, inflammation, and insulin resistance—key contributors to diabetes pathology. This study will utilise advanced in vitro cell culture models to evaluate the effects of polyphenols on glucose uptake, insulin signalling, and oxidative stress markers. Molecular techniques such as RT-PCR and Western blot analysis will be employed to investigate the modulation of genes and proteins involved in glucose metabolism and inflammatory pathways. The findings aim to contribute to the development of natural, plant-based strategies for diabetes management, offering a complementary approach to conventional therapies. This project is ideal for candidates passionate about medical science, clinical nutrition, and exploring innovative solutions for diabetes care.

URL link to relevant journal articles or website: https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?hl=en&user=o6d7fCMAAAAJ

Interested? Start the conversation here by contacting Dr. Nidhish Francis

MRI neural imaging: From early neural-development to late neural-degeneration

Primary Supervisor: Dr Xiaoming Zheng
Location: Wagga Wagga
Keywords: MRI Neuroimaging; Neural development; Alzheimer’s disease; Early AD detection; AD diagnosis.

Synopsis:

This project consists of two parts: Part 1 is focused on early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease employing MRI structural images. FreeSurfer software is used for image processing and segmentation. Clinical evidence is used for feature selection. Signal detection theory, artificial neural network and Bayesian network are all being employed for network training and disease causal prediction. An imaging biomarker is currently being on clinical trial for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease. Part 2 is on early neural development upon nutritional intervention in collaboration with Prof Bing Wang of Gulbali Institute using animal model. Study focus is on changes of brain’s morphology, metabolites and neural transmitters concentrations using T1, T2, DTI images and MR spectroscopy.

URL link to relevant journal articles or website:

1. Zheng, X. (2024). Detection of Alzheimer’s disease using hybrid meta-ROI of MRI structural images. Diagnostics, 14, 2203.

2. Zheng, X., Cawood, J., Hayre, C., Wang, S. (2023). Computer assisted diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease using statistical likelihood-ratio test. PLOS ONE, 18(2), e0279574.

Interested? Start the conversation here by contacting Dr Xiaoming Zheng

The interplay between hEDS, MCAS, POTS and fibromyalgia

Primary Supervisor: Dr Boris Budiono
Location: All campuses
Keywords: ehlers-danlos syndrome, inflammation, mast cell activation, syndrome, POTS, fibromyalgia
Research Group: Food as Medicine (FAM) Research Group

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is a condition where mast cells inappropriately and excessively release chemical mediators, namely histamine, that result in inflammatory responses and symptoms such as hives or flushing, to anaphylaxis. This project aims to determine the linkages between three distinct syndromes (MCAS, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia (POTS), and fibromyalgia) that are commonly found in certain individuals with connective tissue disorder, hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (hEDS). We will investigate the literature to find current evidence of linkage, and to determine future directions in research in an evidence-based manner.

Interested? Start the conversation here by contacting Dr Boris Budiono

Nutraceuticals for protection against neurodegenerative diseases

Primary Supervisor: Dr Doaa Hanafy
Location: Wagga Wagga
Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, aging, cell culture, gene expression, neuroprotective, neurodegeneration, protein expression
Research Group: Food as Medicine Research Group

Synopsis:
Neurodegeneration is a major pathological feature of many disorders collectively known as neurodegenerative disorders that include, but not limited to, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and Huntington’s disease. Millions of people are affected by neurodegenerative disorders worldwide. AD is a multifactorial progressive disease characterised by cholinergic neuronal apoptotic death in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex in the brain responsible for memory, learning and cognition. Hence, a declining capacity to recall new information is one of the early signs of AD. Current pharmacotherapeutics are only palliative.

Plants and their secondary metabolites are a promising source for drug discovery for improving memory and cognitive performance. Hence, the search for natural neuroprotective agents targeting the factors that lead to AD development, such as oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, accumulation of abnormal proteins, is essential. A number of cell-free and enzyme inhibition assays along with cell culture-based assays are utilised. In addition, real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis are carried out to determine the effect on the gene and protein expressions of the signalling pathways implicated in the disease.

Relevant publications

Interested? Start the conversation here by contacting Dr Doaa Hanafy

The protective effects of dietary polyphenols in human health and disease

Primary Supervisor: A/Prof Abi Santhakumar
Location: Wagga Wagga
Keywords: polyphenols, haematology, antioxidants, food, nutrition, phenolic extracts, cardiovascular disease, diabetes
Research Group: Food as Medicine (FAM) Research Group

Synopsis:
This research project explores the role of dietary polyphenols in promoting human health and preventing disease. Polyphenols, naturally occurring antioxidants found in plant-based foods, have demonstrated potential in mitigating oxidative stress, inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction. This study will investigate their protective effects on key health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes, using a combination of in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo experimental approaches.

Under the supervision of A/Prof Abi Santhakumar, this research aligns with the Food as Medicine (FAM) Research Group, focusing on the intersection of nutrition, haematology, and chronic disease prevention. The project will assess the bioavailability, mechanisms of action, and therapeutic potential of polyphenol-rich foods and phenolic extracts.

Researchers will have access to state-of-the-art facilities across Wagga Wagga and all campuses to conduct multidisciplinary investigations. This project is ideal for candidates interested in antioxidants, haematology, medical laboratory science, and clinical nutrition.

Interested? Start the conversation here by contacting A/Prof Abi Santhakumar

Evaluating Natural Product-Based Modulators for Cancer Therapy Using the Tumour-Induced Chicken-Egg Model

Primary Supervisor: Dr Ken Chinkwo
Location: Wagga Wagga
Keywords: cancer, chicken-egg, CAM assay, sorghum, antioxidants
Research Group: Food as Medicine (FAM) Research Group

Synopsis:

This project, led by Dr. Kenneth Chinkwo at Charles Sturt University, aims to revolutionize cancer study by developing a novel, cost-effective preclinical model using the Chicken Chorioallantoic Membrane (CAM) assay. By engrafting cancer cells such as colon, prostate, as well as canine osteosarcoma (OSA) cell lines onto the CAM, the research seeks to evaluate the therapeutic potential of polyphenolic compounds derived from sorghum and chickpeas, known for their potent antioxidant and anticancer properties.

This innovative approach addresses significant gaps in most cancers, including OSA treatments, but also offers a translational bridge to human oncology, as canine osteosarcoma closely mirrors its human counterpart. The project promises to provide foundational insights into tumor biology, angiogenesis, and metastasis while exploring natural therapeutic solutions with minimal toxicity. With a focus on reproducibility, ethical considerations, and real-time monitoring, this research has the potential to significantly advance both veterinary and human cancer treatment strategies, making it an exciting opportunity for students interested in cutting-edge cancer research and translational medicine.

ASBMB Biomolecular Horizon 2024 Poster

Interested? Start the conversation here by contacting Dr Kenneth Chinkwo

The development of rapid diagnostic testing for disease management using CRISPR

Primary Supervisor: Dr Martin Pal
Location: Wagga Wagga, All campuses
Keywords: point-of-care diagnostic assays, CRISPR, agriculture, disease management

Rapid and reliable testing for pathogens is paramount for disease management or agricultural applications in the context of biosecurity. In this regard, field-based or point-of-care diagnostic assays circumvent the need for skilled personnel and specialised laboratory equipment. Honours research opportunities are available to exploit the use of CRISPR-associated nucleases (Cas proteins) for rapid and precise detection of nucleic acids of potential pathogens.

Interested? Start the conversation here by contacting Dr Martin Pal