Fluorescence microscopy enables members of Prof. Brett Neilan's group to acquire revealing qualitative data of community structure in environmental samples.
Development of siRNA-Polymer Conjugates to Improve siRNA-Based Gene Silencing Therapies
Short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) have an enormous potential to treat/prevent a wide range of diseases. One of the major challenges in transforming siRNAs to clinically applicable potent therapeutics is the delivery of siRNAs to the required site of the body at a therapeutic concentration. In this project we aim to combine advantages of polymer conjugation with siRNAs to improve the in vivo applicability of the revolutionary siRNA strategy.
Honours and/or PhD projects include to develop siRNA-polymer conjugates/complexes and evaluate their serum stability, cell uptake and bioactivity using in vitro cultured cells. The work is being carried out in a multidisciplinary research collaboration between BABS, CCIA and CAMD using various techniques including ionic complex formulations of siRNAs, bioconjugation techniques, gel electrophoresis, cell culture, cell toxicity assays, flow cytometry and fluorescent microscopy.
An important aim of the project is to take gene silencing strategy one step closer to being a real-life treatment.
BABS personnel that are responsible for this project