Honours – Biomedical Science

COVID-19 vaccination has involved a number of different vaccine constructs and with individuals receiving a varying number of doses and combinations of currently approved vaccines. Presently individuals from the age of 30 or more years can receive a 2^nd vaccine booster (4 doses) however effectiveness of available approved vaccines is challenged by the emergence of variants capable of eluding subsequent immunity. Variants that are more easily transmitted between individuals, can cause reinfection and promote changes associated with long COVID. The antibody response generated in response to vaccination, infection or reinfection will depend on several variables including age, gender, pre-existing medical conditions and medications along with the type of vaccine construct received and time since the last vaccination. Currently there is much debate over how long protection following vaccination lasts and possible requirement for upgrades to current vaccines to protect against emerging variants. This project aims to gain insight into antibody responses in both vaccinated individuals and those who have had COVID-19 via medical history and ELISA analysis of antibody responses against both S and N proteins.

Supervisor: Dr Roger Lord

Contact: roger.lord@acu.edu.au

Campus: Brisbane

A proportion of students in health sciences at ACU drop out prior to completion of an undergraduate degree, primarily due to stress. Previous studies showed a relationship between saliva cortisol levels, stress, and tertiary student degree completion rates, however, this research has yet to be applied to different professions. This study will compare cortisol levels of third year health science students in paramedicine, exercise science and biomedical science. Findings of the project will be presented to ACU to provide psychological intervention to reduce the rate of health sciences degree non-completion.

Supervisor: Dr Francesca Fernandez

Contact: Francesca.Fernandez@acu.edu.au

Campus: Brisbane

Albeit decades of research, Alzheimer’s Disease remains incurable and difficult to diagnose until pathology is already advanced. Therefore, it is crucial to develop early detection tools. Recent studies reported a potential role of sirtuin proteins in Alzheimer’s Disease pathophysiology. This project will investigate the levels of proteins sirtuin 1 and sirtuin 3 in the hippocampus, a critical region for memory function using an animal model of Alzheimer’s Disease at different disease stages (early, mild and severe). By characterising protein expression differences at the early stage of Alzheimer’s Disease, an early detection tool may be developed which will assist Alzheimer’s Disease prognosis and therapy.

Supervisor: Dr Francesca Fernandez

Contact: Francesca.Fernandez@acu.edu.au

Campus: Brisbane

Participants receiving the Rectogesic (GTN donor) will have a statistically higher linear healing rate (LHR) compared to patients that receive only the placebo. A student will be able to undertake several activities to contribute to the research project and enable them to learn more about the process of research. Specifically, the student/s will be able to contribute to laboratory aliquoting of study materials and contribute to analysis of measures of healing.

Supervisor: Dr Roger Lord

Contact: roger.lord@acu.edu.au

Campus: Brisbane and Melbourne

SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection has had a great impact on human health in 2020. This project aims to investigate the impact COVID-19 has had on Influenzas infections in Australia. The project will involve an epidemiology analysis of the case numbers and data surrounding both the COVID pandemic and the local influenza epidemics.

Supervisor: Laurine Hurley, Eileen Lay and Dr Lara Grollo

Contact: laurine.hurley@acu.edu.au

Campus: Brisbane, Melbourne and North Sydney

The Australian population is suffering from chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, Alzheimer's disease and cancer. Meanwhile, a large number of in-vitro/in-vivo/clinical trials have reported and confirmed the prevention of such diseases through the dietary intake of food with some bioactive components such as polyphenols, carotenoids, vitamins, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)-enriched oil and probiotics. However, these nutrients are susceptible and need to be protected and stabilised to ensure their delivery, while maintaining their physicochemical and biological functions.

This project aims to develop a novel delivery system to stabilise susceptible nutrients and potentially improve their bioavailability. There is a possibility to expand this honours project into a collaboration work with industrial partners to solve real-world problems.

Supervisors: Bo Wang
Contact: bo.wang@acu.edu.au

Individuals are reportedly more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection based on levels of ACE2 expression (target for viral access to host cells). The level of expression appears to be higher in type 2 diabetics and the elderly but expression unknown in other cohorts. Salivary assays can be used/developed for a small community screen using a modified ELISA. It might also help address confusing information about smoking actually decreasing risk or those who use nicotine replacement therapy.

Supervisor: Dr Roger Lord

Contact: roger.lord@acu.edu.au

Campus: Brisbane and Melbourne

Eye-tracking techniques have been adopted as a research tool for a wide range of applications in healthcare studies. Recently, healthcare researchers have started to show interest in using eye-tracking techniques to study medical decision-making. This study will examine attention of paramedical professionals to relevant stimuli in simulated emergency scenes. Depending on the project, students will use eye tracking technology to either compare pre – post training scenarios on attention to relevant versus irrelevant cues in paramedicine student groups OR will compere expert to novice attention.

Supervisor: Dr Jodi Sita

Contact: jodi-sita@acu.edu.au

Campus: Melbourne

The conjugation of natural proteins with carbohydrates can improve the protein functional properties including solubility, foaming capacity, thermal stability and emulsifying activity etc. to facilitate its use in nutraceutical, food and pharmaceutical applications. However, the conventional protein-carbohydrate conjugation via Maillard reaction results in the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). These AGEs may accumulate in the human body to initiate a wide range of non-communicable diseases (NCD) like diabetes, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease and chronic heart failure. This project aims to develop a method to induce protein-carbonate conjugation using the enzymatic method. Based on improved functional protein properties, the conjugate can be used to stabilise bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, carotenoids, vitamins, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)- enriched oil and probiotics. It aligns well with ACU’s research priority of promoting overall health

Supervisor: Dr Bo Wang

Contact: bo.wang@acu.edu.au

Campus: North Sydney

Protein-phenolic compound conjugates as Pickering particles to produce high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) Supervisor: Dr Bo Wang, A/P Pre De Silva Campus: North Sydney Project Description: As semi-solid fats, saturated, hydrogenated fats and trans-fatty acids can form 3D networks of aggregated fat crystals that contribute to the unique textural properties of food products like margarine, spreads and baked goods. However, there have been health concerns with the dietary intake of these fats. As such, the development of their healthier alternatives is desired by both customers and the contemporary food industry, without compromising the same desirable textural attributes of the food products. Pickering high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) may be promising candidates for this purpose. On the other hand, the chemical reaction between protein and the phenolic compound in the food systems has been not desired due to the formation of insoluble particles and/or haze in liquid food products such as beverages and beer. However, the modified protein structure and its physicochemical properties can be potentially used to produce Pickering HIPEs. In this project, we aim to induce the chemical reaction between natural proteins and natural phenolic compounds to synthesise Pickering particles for the development of HIPEs. Moreover, model bioactive hydrophobic compounds such as omega-3 oils, vitamins and/or pigments will be stabilised to investigate the efficacy of the stabilisation.

Supervisor: A/Prof. Pre De Silva

Contact: pre.desilva@acu.edu.au

Campus: North Sydney