One of the great strengths of Australia’s research infrastructure is its collaborative nature, which is key to driving greater innovation in the sector.
The Department of Education funds the $4 billion National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) which connects Australian researchers to equipment, data, tools and technical expertise they need to help turn their ideas into new products and services.
Projects funded under NCRIS are supporting improvements across many fields. Read about some of the exciting advancements in the health sector.
New treatment for food poisoning
Food poisoning is estimated to affect more than 4 million Australians every year.
This results in more than 31,000 hospitalisations, over 80 deaths, and one million visits to doctors on average each year – costing the economy $1.25 billion.
Researchers at the Australian National University, supported by the Phenomics Australia and Therapeutic Innovation Australia NCRIS projects, are studying a bacterium called ‘Bacillus cereus’, which is responsible for producing toxins that cause food poisoning symptoms.
They are hopeful this will lead to the development of new drugs that help restrict the spread of infection, complement existing antibiotics, and support successful treatment of other lethal types of bacterial infections.
Vaccine patch delivers protection from dengue
Dengue is the most significant mosquito-borne viral disease in the world, with around 390 million cases annually.
Dr David Miller and the vaccine team at the University of Queensland have used NCRIS project Microscopy Australia in the development of a promising dengue vaccine.
The goal is to produce one vaccine that will protect against all four known strains of dengue, which can cause severe disease. They’re also using a new type of vaccine delivery invented in Australia – a ‘patch’, rather than traditional needles – which generates strong immune responses.
Pre-clinical trials have had great success, and the research team is hoping to adapt this technology to treat other viruses including Zika, West Nile and Japanese encephalitis.
A new era in X-ray imaging
Next generation X-ray technology, developed and manufactured in Adelaide, is solving global health, defence and security challenges by making X-ray machines significantly lighter and more portable.
Medical device manufacturer, Micro-X, is using two dimensional materials and advanced manufacturing practice to create a smaller and less power intensive carbon nanotube (CNT)-based emitter.
Micro-X also helped develop a light-weight mobile computed tomography (CT) scanner to enable lifesaving devices to be fitted into every ambulance to support stroke diagnosis.
The development of the CNT technology was supported by Flinders University, the University of Adelaide, the University of South Australia, and NCRIS projects Microscopy Australia and the Australian National Fabrication Facility.
To read more case studies, visit Research Infrastructure Connected.
Image: Prof Si Ming Man (right) and Dr Anukriti Mathur (left). Image credit: Lannon Harley/ANU