Novel Insights Into The Pathobiology Of Alphavirus Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$827,660.00
Summary
Infections with mosquito-borne viruses are increasing at an alarming rate worldwide. Ross River virus is endemic in parts of Australia, PNG and Pacific islands, while chikungunya virus is distributed globally and causes recurrent pandemics that involve millions of people. These viruses cause severe musculoskeletal disease for several months after infection. This project aims to establish how these viruses interact with the human host to cause disease and may provide a basis for new treatments.
Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia And Thrombosis: Better Understanding Of Pathogenesis And Improving Diagnosis And Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$653,137.00
Summary
Heparin, a widely used drug, can cause an adverse effect which results in a fall of the platelet count and the development of serious thrombosis. This drug complication is mediated by an immune mechanism. This proposal aims to provide a better understanding of the disease mechanism. It also aims to develop a new test that will improve the diagnosis, and to produce a novel drug that will effectively suppress the immune reaction and improve the treatment.
How BANK1 Pathway Defects In B Cells Cause Human Lupus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,316,839.00
Summary
Autoimmune diseases affect 1 in 20 Australians and are incurable. To find effective therapies, we need to understand the genes that cause disease in humans. We have sequenced the entire genome of patients with an autoimmune disease and found several patients carrry two mutations in genes important for activation of B cells and shown these mutations cause disease. We plan to understand how these genes prevent autoimmunity, and to identify the best treatment for patients with these mutations.
Novel Insights Into The Mechanisms Of How Chikungunya Virus Cause Disease In Humans
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$554,808.00
Summary
Many of the most dangerous and easily transmitted infectious agents are viruses. The emergence of chikungunya virus globally and the recognition of this pathogen in the aetiology of chronic diseases show the need for a better understanding of how the virus cause disease. The expected outcomes are a better understanding of human alphaviral diseases, with a view to improving prevention and treatment strategies to reduce the disease burden of CHIKV and related viruses.
Reducing Prolonged Workplace Sitting Time In Office Workers: A Cluster-randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$524,613.00
Summary
Groundbreaking Australian research shows that sitting for too long, which is routine for most office workers, contributes to overweight and to a greater risk of developing diabetes and heart disease. In over 300 desk-bound office workers, this world-first study will assess the effectiveness of an innovative workplace program aimed at reducing and breaking up sitting time. It will identify practical ways for Australian office workers to minimise unhealthy effects of sitting too much at work.
Reducing The Greatest Uncertainty In Radiotherapy.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$594,197.00
Summary
The weakest link in radiotherapy is defining treatment volumes (contouring). Lack of accuracy and consistency in clinical trial contouring has been shown to result in reduced patient outcomes. Manual review of contouring is resource intensive, expensive and for advanced treatments unachievable in a timely fashion. We will assess an automated approach to contouring assessment using 4 clinical trial datasets, changing practice for future studies and enabling consistent assessment in the clinic.
Methylation-sensitive T Cell Genes And Childhood Food Allergy.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$461,232.00
Summary
Australia has the highest reported prevalence food allergy in the world. Despite this, little is known about how allergy develops. Mounting evidence implicates environmentally induced disruption of the genetic blueprint via a process known as epigenetics. We are combining the strengths of food challenge proven food allergy with assessment of immune functioning & cutting edge genomics, to extensively characterise the pathways leading to food allergy in children.
Motor Functioning In Young People With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder – Combined Type: A Three-dimensional Motion Analysis Study.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$477,065.00
Summary
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder –combined type (ADHD-CT) is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder with a progressively devastating impact on psychosocial development. The first objective of this study is to use 3D-motion analysis to ‘probe’ the underlying brain dysfunction which characterises ADHD-CT. The second objective of this study is to improve our understanding of the link between movement problems, and (a) injury proneness, and (b) social-communicative problems, in children with AD ....Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder –combined type (ADHD-CT) is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder with a progressively devastating impact on psychosocial development. The first objective of this study is to use 3D-motion analysis to ‘probe’ the underlying brain dysfunction which characterises ADHD-CT. The second objective of this study is to improve our understanding of the link between movement problems, and (a) injury proneness, and (b) social-communicative problems, in children with ADHD-CT.Read moreRead less
Glycotherapeutics; A New Class Of Treatment For Alphavirus-induced Musculoskeletal Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$449,868.00
Summary
The hallmark of alphavirus disease is crippling pain and joint arthritis, which often has an extended duration. Currently there is no licenced specific treatment for alphavirus disease and the increasing spread of infection highlights an urgent need for therapeutic intervention strategies. This grant looks at the potential of pentosan polysulfate as a promising drug-repurposing candidate for the treatment of alphavirus-induced arthritis.
Clinical Review Of A Cohort Aged 22-33 Years Conceived Using Assisted Reproductive Technologies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$946,454.00
Summary
In a recent study, using telephone-interviews, we compared the health and wellbeing of 547 singleton young adults born following assisted reproductive technologies (ART), with 549 matched controls. Reviewing their health when they are 22-33 years is possible because of their ongoing interest. We have a protocol in place to measure their cardiac and respiratory function and other aspects of growth and development. Our findings will fill a major knowledge gap about the longer term safety of ART.