Liquid Biopsy For Personalised Monitoring Of Melanoma Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$820,888.00
Summary
Despite the success of recent melanoma treatments, therapies are effective long term in only a proportion of patients. Here we will progress preliminary findings in collaboration with biotechnology and pathology companies to develop highly effective companion biomarkers that will aid treatment decisions throughout disease course. Our team will spearhead translation of these markers into the clinic for routine monitoring of melanoma patients.
Biomarkers For The Progression Of Cholangiocarcinoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$507,347.00
Summary
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a form of liver cancer with a devastatingly poor prognosis. In East Asia long term infection with a parasitic worm leads to CCA. Because it is feasible to monitor the development of CCA from the time of infection with the parasite, we propose a biomarker discovery program using CCA samples from liver fluke infected persons in Thailand. This will eventuate in tools for the early diagnosis and early treatment of CCA for those at risk of developing this cancer globally.
Changing Patterns Of Immunity Following Large Scale Malaria Control Programs In The South West Pacific
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$299,564.00
Summary
People can develop partial immunity to malaria, which requires ongoing exposure to infection to be maintained. If exposure to infections is completely prevented, people can lose the immunity it has taken them years to develop. In the context of significant ongoing malaria bednet control efforts in the South West Pacific, we will investigate loss or maintenance of the malaria-immune state. This is important for vaccine development and to help us define risk of rebound disease.
Developing Robust Biomarkers For Vascular Cognitive Impairment And Dementia: Adding V To The ATN Research Framework
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,289,215.00
Summary
The main objective of this research is to develop biomarkers for vascular dementia. It builds upon the longitudinal studies and international consortia that I lead. The studies will use multimodal MRI, advanced retinal imaging, mass spectrometry and other techniques to establish and validate robust biomarkers of vascular contributions to dementia. The findings will help achieve a definitive diagnosis of vascular dementia and quantify vascular pathology in someone with dementia.
Improving Long-term Mortality Rates Following Sepsis.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$99,682.00
Summary
It is estimated that 37.9 million patients survive sepsis each year. Studies have demonstrated that among patients who survive for 30 days after admission for sepsis, over 40% die in the following two years. There are currently no guidelines that provide recommendations on post-hospital management of sepsis. This research programme aims to identify those patients at greatest risk of death and implement post-sepsis care with the aim to significantly reduce long-term mortality after sepsis.
Defining The Plasma Methylome To Guide Melanoma Treatment.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
This project aims to characterise circulating methylation patterns (chemical modifications to DNA) from the blood of melanoma patients. Through this ground-breaking research, I will establish a minimally-invasive and simple blood test that will predict response and resistance from treatment, provide a greater understanding of the disease, reshape the treatment management of melanoma patients and lead to improved patient outcomes.
IRON IN DISEASES OF THE AGEING BRAIN: From Bench To Clinic
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,814,215.00
Summary
I aim to achieve a deeper understanding of the causes, detection and treatment of incurable neurological diseases of advancing age - Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Motor Neuron Disease. Iron needlessly accumulates in brain tissue with age. I will pursue studies of ageing worms, cells in culture, mice, human brain tissue, brain imaging and clinical trials, to determine whether the problem of iron accumulation is a drug target for these diseases.
Personalizing Antipsychotic Medicines To Improve Patient Outcomes In Schizophrenia: Development Of Decision Support Tools Using Pharmacometabolomics And Pharmacometrics
AKR1C3 As A Potential Biomarker For Sensitivity Of T-lineage Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia To The Pre-prodrug PR-104
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$327,797.00
Summary
Multiagent chemotherapy is the most effective modality for the treatment of childhood ALL, the most common paediatric malignancy. Despite dramatic improvements in survival over the past 40 years, relapsed ALL remains one of the most common causes of death from disease in children. Therefore, innovative strategies are needed to benefit those children who respond poorly to established therapy. This application will test a novel therapy for a very aggressive subtype of childhood leukaemia.