Immunisation In Under Studied And Special Risk Populations: Closing The Gap In Knowledge Through A Multidisciplinary Approach
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,499,969.00
Summary
Much of the vaccine research which informs national policy is conducted by the pharmaceutical industry or by government. However, there are critical research gaps in special-risk and under-served populations where targeted research is not commercially viable. These include research in the extremes of age, Indigenous Australians, migrants, refugees, immunosuppressed and traveller populations. This CRE will address research gaps in such populations, which have not been addressed elsewhere, using n ....Much of the vaccine research which informs national policy is conducted by the pharmaceutical industry or by government. However, there are critical research gaps in special-risk and under-served populations where targeted research is not commercially viable. These include research in the extremes of age, Indigenous Australians, migrants, refugees, immunosuppressed and traveller populations. This CRE will address research gaps in such populations, which have not been addressed elsewhere, using novel, multidisciplinary methods.Read moreRead less
Centre Of Research Excellence In Infectious Diseases Modelling To Inform Public Health Policy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,600,064.00
Summary
Infectious diseases pose a global challenge, with substantial human and economic costs. Mathematical models provide valuable frameworks to assess likely benefits of interventions to control infection spread and burden. Leveraging existing NHMRC support, we will expand modeling capability to inform infectious disease control policy in Australia and our region. Focus areas include vaccine preventable disease, respiratory viruses and emerging pathogens, supported by innovative methods development.
Respiratory illness in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children is very common with long term consequences in Indigenous Australians. Thus prevention and/or early treatment potentially change the child’s life trajectory for lung health. Partnering key researchers in Brisbane, Sydney, New Zealand and USA, we will undertake appropriate clinical studies (treatment and preventative) that are most likely to improve lung health outcomes in young Indigenous children. We will focus on increasing p ....Respiratory illness in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children is very common with long term consequences in Indigenous Australians. Thus prevention and/or early treatment potentially change the child’s life trajectory for lung health. Partnering key researchers in Brisbane, Sydney, New Zealand and USA, we will undertake appropriate clinical studies (treatment and preventative) that are most likely to improve lung health outcomes in young Indigenous children. We will focus on increasing participation of Indigenous people and end-users.Read moreRead less
TB is a global public health problem, responsible for the deaths of 2 million children and young adults annually. Drug resistant strains of TB are emerging and pose a threat even in countries where TB is well controlled, such as Australia. Research undertaken in this CRE will translate into improved treatments, diagnostics and strategies to prevent transmission. The CRE will build capacity for research on TB in our region and provide a legal framework to support public health policy.
The Australian Centre For Translational Breast Cancer Research: From Discovery To Better Health Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,619,075.00
Summary
TransBCR will implement a collaborative multidisciplinary research program to help fast track the clinical translation of promising laboratory discoveries in breast cancer. To overcome existing roadblocks, we will carry out early phase clinical trials of novel anti-breast cancer drugs linked to suitable diagnostic tests that help select the right therapy for individual cancer patients. Our goal is to help inform the swift delivery of cost-effective personalised medicine in breast cancer.
Centre Of Research Excellence For The Study Of Naevi
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,496,835.00
Summary
Most melanomas grow adjacent to or within pre-existing benign neoplasms of the skin called naevi. Many studies have shown that the number of nevi on an individual predicts their risk of developing melanoma. New naevi form and existing ones change regularly in children and also adults. While previous work aimed to reduce the burden of melanoma has focussed on malignant tumours, much can be learned from increasing our understanding of tumorigenesis by studying benign tumours such as naevi.
Skin cancers, including melanoma, present a significant health, social and economic burden in Australia. Despite the rising incidence of melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, there is currently no national or population-based screening program available. The aim of this CRE is to identify how novel skin imaging technologies can be integrated into the pathway to improve early detection, and ultimately reduce the health and economic burden caused by melanoma skin cancer.
Centre Of Research Excellence In Precision Public Health Approaches To Breast Cancer Screening, Early Detection And Mortality Reduction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,500,000.00
Summary
The ultimate aim of the CRE is to make it possible to further reduce mortality from breast cancer, and in a more effective way, by identifying women at vastly different levels of risk at younger ages, determining which screening modalities are likely to be more effective, and helping radiologists to better detect cancers. Given that digital mammography is the contemporary standard, and the incidence of breast cancer is increasing across the world, this CRE has global relevance.
Bowel cancer, the second most diagnosed and cause of cancer death is preventable. Low risk people need no screening or just inexpensive fecal occult blood tests. Increased risk people need the more expensive and invasive colonoscopies. There is overuse of colonoscopy by those at low risk and underuse by those at high risk. Our Centre brings together scientists, epidemiologists and clinicians to develop a personalised risk tool and methods to implement the tool to increase appropriate screening.
Asbestos-induced cancer is a big problem in the world. This Centre of Research Excellence application is to continue our highly successful National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases, widely acknowledged as the world leader. We will ‘crack the cancer genetic code’, generate vaccines, discover better blood tests and new cancer imaging techniques and therapies. We will continue to train the next generation of researchers through our strong program and international collaborative network.