Research Projects
Development of bivalent degraders targeting Aurora kinase A for the treatment of polycystic kidney disease (Old ID 31137)
Andrew Mallett
01 Jan 2023 - 31 Dec 2025
Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) is the most common, potentially fatal, monogenic disease. It is characterised by hyperproliferative formation of fluid-filled cysts from renal epithelia, which progressively ablate healthy renal tissue requiring dialysis or renal transplant to prevent death. It affects 1 in 500-1000 Australians and makes up 5% of end stage renal disease patients. The only approved therapy is a drug called tolvaptan, which inhibits the vasopressin receptor, thereby treating a symptom. Unsurprisingly, tolvaptan has only modest benefits, increasing patient lifespan by ~2.6 years at a cost of US$744K per quality-of-life-year gained. The drug has considerable side effects, including the potential for liver toxicity, with a borderline cost-benefit-risk profile. Consequently, ~24% patients discontinue use. Recently, a Phase II/III trial of Sanofi’s heralded breakthrough therapy, venglustat, was halted due to failure to prevent cyst growth. Rapamycin has also failed in clinical trials previously. As such, any therapeutic treatment that could halt/slow disease progression would be paradigm-shifting to meet this unmet need. We have shown that ADPKD can be halted by genetic ablation of Aurora kinase A (AURKA). Thus, AURKA is a key driver of this disease. We have now developed a small molecule that potently degrades AURKA at low nanomolar levels. This targeted protein degrader (TPD), which we call TPD100, is on the precipice of a significant value inflexion point that will be realized through the combination of its current in vitro cell-based and in vivo potency, combined with a future strong intellectual property position, and evidence of efficacy and safety in ADPKD animal models. This grant will support the development of a novel and patent-protected TPD that is safe and efficacious in ADPKD animal models with once-weekly subcutaneous dosing, representing a very attractive investment package as we progress towards a human ADPKD therapy.
Long-term effects of sea-weeding on degraded coral reefs
Hillary Smith
01 Oct 2024 - 30 Sep 2029
Coral reefs around the world are under threat from the combined impacts of climate change and local stressors. Often, when corals die, macroalgae (seaweeds) rapidly take over available space on a reef, with corals struggling to regain dominance once seaweeds are established. My research has shown that a low-tech, simple approach of “sea-weeding” (i.e. removing seaweed by hand) is effective in rapidly rehabilitating degraded, macroalgae-dominated reefs. Over five years, my research program on two degraded reefs of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef saw a >600% increase in coral cover where macroalgae were removed three times annually, while no change was observed in control plots.
These spectacular results provide an exciting potential management approach for other seaweed-dominated areas, as sea-weeding can be achieved through collective action via citizen science. However, because reef recovery dynamics operate on decadal time-scales, it is critical to understand the long-term effects of intervention via sea-weeding. In this project, I will extend the timeframe of the established sea-weeding experiment to document the trajectory of reef recovery. Specifically, the project will transition into a "maintenance" phase of weeding once per year (rather than 2-3 times per year in the first 5 years) to establish the efficacy of less frequent intervention. The results will help inform the best-practice application of sea- weeding in reef management strategies.
Megalithic connections: Investigation and Digital Conservation of imperilled cultural heritage in Laos and India (Old ID 27791)
Kate Domett
01 Jan 2023 - 31 Dec 2027
This interdisciplinary project aims to explore the cultural connections between the geographically disparate megalithic cultures of Laos and India and to create an enduring digital record of these threatened cultural assets. Using archaeological science and pioneering technologies the project will create new knowledge, museum exhibitions, strengthening cultural relations and public diplomacy. The research will advance archaeological knowledge, heritage management processes and lead to economic, social and cultural benefit in these regions. With an increasing awareness of the need to protect and conserve global cultural assets, there is an opportunity for Australia to take a lead in developing innovative technological solutions.
Development and Evaluation of Lived Experience Peer Support Intervention for Mental Health Service Users in Primary Care
Sam Manger
01 Jan 2023 - 31 Dec 2025
2 aspects to this project including a primary care co-design phase and then an intervention phase, with the overall goal of hosting peer support workers in primary care to provide mental health support. Lived experience peer support has been used in many mental healthcare contexts, but not in primary care. Peers walk alongside consumers to improve their self-efficacy and personal recovery. Peer support will improve access, engagement and support for people with mental ill-health in primary care.
Blended Living Lab for Nurturing Circular-Entrepreneurships among Australian and Arab Entrepreneurs
Eijaz Khan
31 May 2024 - 31 Oct 2025
To promote circular-entrepreneurship on the Australian-Arab, a Blended Living Lab (BLL) will be established in collaboration with James Cook University, Abu Dhabi University, UAE, and King Abdul Aziz University, Saudi Arabia. To accomplish this, First, the BLL will conduct three workshops with 30 attendees each in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Australia, organise 5-6 online knowledge sharing sessions, and create a portable training package called 'Designing Circularity into Business Models and Products' (DCBMP). Second, using DCBMP, we will conduct one online training sessions to build the capacity of 30 entrepreneurs in circular business models/products to accelerate innovation and create startups. Third, upon completion of the project, the BLL will be equipped with world-class online labs, and we will brand/market the BLL subscription model globally/Arab regions at nominal fees. Finally, through this approach, our project aims to enhance awareness/understanding among Australian-Arabs, maximise public diplomacy/economic opportunities, build strong community/institutional relationships, and increase recognition in the Arab.
Prevalence of anorectal Chlamydia Trachomatis infection in asymptomatic urogenital Chlamydia Trachomatis positive women who present to regional North Queensland Sexual Health Services.
Carol Flavell
23 Feb 2024 - 28 Jul 2028
This study will investigate and report the rates of confirmed anorectal chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection in women who attend one of two regional North Queensland sexual health services (SHS). The research will focus on women who are confirmed to have urogenital CT infection following routine testing at the SHS, but they report no symptoms of CT prior to testing, and have not participated in any anal sexual contact in the previous six months. Findings have potential to influence future testing and management guidelines for management of CT in this group of women.
Coral Sea Conservation – Mapping Fish Nurseries and Biodiversity Hotspots (Old ID 31184)
Samantha Tol
21 May 2024 - 30 Sep 2026
This project will locate fish nursery grounds and identify fish biodiversity, density, and life cycle habitat use in the reef lagoons in the Coral Sea Marine Park. This project will provide information that aligns with the national Australian Marine Park science priorities to assist with marine management plans and protection of marine park values and will help inform the 10-yearly statutory plan review. This project will provide information which will be useful for the development of management solutions to help enhance the health, ecological resilience, and sustainable economic use of the Coral Sea Marine Park.
Wildlife Conservation Society Graduate Scholarship Program
Patrick Smallhorn-West
01 Jun 2024 - 01 Jan 2029
WCS is committed to a strategy that invests in developing the global conservation leaders of tomorrow. As part of that strategy, the Graduate Scholarship Program provides support for graduate education opportunities (masters or doctoral programs) at international institutions of academic excellence for exceptional conservationists from Asia/Pacific, Africa, Latin America, and North American indigenous groups. Scholars will be selected based on their exceptional abilities, their potential to become leaders of the conservation movement in their home country, and the relevance of their proposed study and future work to WCS conservation priorities. This funding is for a candidate to come study a PhD at JCU.
Benthic Mapping with Traditional Owners and Wellesley Islands Rangers in the Gulf of Carpentaria Marine Park
Catherine Collier
07 Jun 2024 - 28 Oct 2026
There is little recent information on benthic habitats in the Gulf of Carpentaria Marine Park (GOCMP) and adjacent Thuwathu/Bujimulla Indigenous Protected Area (TBIPA), which is needed to make management decisions around zoning, habitat protection, assisted recovery, and species conservation. Marine habitats of the southern Gulf of Carpentaria have long been identified as ecologically and culturally significant, with large areas of seagrass supporting high densities of dugongs and turtles, and traditional, commercial and recreational fisheries. Wellesley Islands Rangers and scientists from JCU and CDU will conduct mapping at a scale that can comprehensively inform marine park management and the Lardil, Yangkaal, Kaiadilt and Gangalida peoples’ sustainable management of Sea Country.
Traditional Owner engagement for the JCU-CSIRO Community-led Biosecurity Initiative
Paul Horwood
06 Jun 2024 - 30 Sep 2025
The objective of this Project is to understand the interests and needs of Traditional Owners and have them engage with the JCU-CSIRO collaboration to develop community-led projects that will aim to reduce biosecurity risks and/or impacts. The Project will undertake steps to identify sustainable ways to reduce biosecurity risks (diseases, plant, and animal pests) in northern Queensland through creating mutually beneficial and sustainable approaches with community that improves livelihoods. The Project intends to enable Traditional Owners to develop research priorities and own and lead research projects with JCU and CSIRO researchers (that are based on these research priorities), which could develop economic opportunities and engage with regional partners to identify and reduce potential biosecurity risks.