Microbiology & Infectious Diseases is one of the Cross-cutting Platforms at Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research.
Our goal is to better understand the pathology of diabetes-related foot ulcers and improve patient outcomes through close collaboration between scientists and clinicians.
The Research Group has helped changed the understanding of the pathology of chronic ulceration in diabetic foot infections — from that of infection with planktonic bacteria to that of infection with biofilms.
As there is resistance of many biofilms to penetration by antimicrobials, increased emphasis is now given to removal of adequate volumes of tissue with debridement — because biofilm may be present in apparently normal tissue immediately adjacent to obviously infected tissue.
Failure to adequately debride infected tissue in diabetic foot infections may lead to chronicity of infection and the need for repeated surgical procedures.
The project’s overall objective is to better elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms that may influence health outcomes in patients with diabetic foot ulceration.
Candidate biomarkers or biological processes associated with poor outcomes will provide potential avenues for the development of targeted therapeutics aimed at:
Medical Research Future Fund grant (via the Australian Centre for Accelerating Diabetes Innovations)
The project’s overall objective is to develop novel anti-biofilm treatments and a wound-imaging device for detecting/observing clinically important wound metrics.
The combined development of formulated treatments, handheld imaging device and associated software will provide a leap forward in the diagnosis and treatment of biofilm-associated infections, preventing the transition of acute wounds to chronic wounds, or promoting faster chronic wound healing.
Cooperative Research Centres Projects grant (via Whiteley Corporation)
Phase I/II clinical trial to examine a topical anti-infective (RECCE®327) therapy for mild skin and soft tissue diabetes foot infections.
Proof of concept for dosing and tolerability for potential novel antimicrobial therapy.
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