Drug-related deaths in Australia account for 6.6% of all deaths (ABS 2009). In much of the rural Asia-Pacific, pesticide poisoning and snakebite are major problems. We propose an integrated and international human toxicology research program covering medicine and chemical poisoning, serious adverse drug reactions, snake and spider bite. Our focus is on the applied research needed to detect new problems and rapidly translate early findings into better treatment, regulations & policy.
Improving The Health Of People With Problematic Drug Use: Hepatitis C And Drug Dependence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$9,060,140.00
Summary
Problematic drug use is the major risk factor to health among Australians aged 15-49 years. The dual harms of drug dependence and hepatitis C virus (HCV) faced by people who use drugs compel improved drug dependence management and HCV prevention and treatment. This Program Grant will improve the lives of people with problematic drug use by investigating health impacts of drug use and evaluating new strategies for managing drug dependence and eliminating HCV among people who use drugs.
Optimising Heart Disease Prevention And Management
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,647,175.00
Summary
As we become older and risk factors such as obesity become more common, our biggest contributor to death and disability, cardiovascular disease (including heart disease), will continue to exert an enormous burden on our health care system and society. We will extend our ground-breaking research on multidisciplinary teams to create new and innovative health care programs to optimise the prevention and management of new heart disease and chronic forms of heart disease.
More Effective Therapeutic Targeting Of High Risk Childhood Cancer: Neuroblastoma As A Model
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$6,601,220.00
Summary
Cancer is the commonest cause of death from disease in Australian children. Childhood neuroblastoma is a particularly aggressive cancer, for which new treatment approaches are urgently needed. The team aims to discover better safer therapies for children with this cancer, conducting clinical trials using new drugs and novel drug combinations. We will also investigate novel ways of targeting neuroblastoma cells and identify therapeutic targets in neuroblastoma-initiating cells.
This Program studies the mechanisms that control blood cell formation and how abnormalities play a role in leukaemia, a significant health problem worldwide. Despite some improvements, two major problems remain: controlling progression of leukaemia and relapse. The Program tackles these two major issues with the combination of studies of normal blood and leukaemia cell function, drug design and clinical trials ensuring a direct pathway from discovery to patient benefit.
Understanding The Major Class Of Cell Surface Drug Targets
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$7,595,840.00
Summary
G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) form the largest family of receptors and drug targets in living organisms. Currently, the major reason that new drugs fail to reach the clinic is lack of appropriate drug effect (approx. 30%). Thus, we need a better understanding of how GPCRs work and how this relates to disease. Our Program addresses this knowledge gap, using GPCR models that are relevant to treatment of metabolic, inflammatory, cardiovascular and central nervous system disease.
Apoptosis And Stem/Progenitor Cells In The Development And Treatment Of Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$21,809,604.00
Summary
To improve cancer therapy, we are studying two cancer hallmarks. The first is excessive cell survival. To combat this, we are developing drugs with commercial partners that directly activate the cell's death machinery. The second hallmark is inexorable proliferation, akin to that of stem cells, which can generate entire tissues, as we showed for the breast. ‘Rogue’ stem-like cells may initiate certain cancers. We hope to advance cancer therapy by identifying such cells and drugs that kill them.
At least 6 young Australians are diagnosed each day with type 1 diabetes. This Program aims to change the way type 1 diabetes is managed by proactively treating its underlying mechanisms. We will develop safer and more effective immune therapies, develop islet transplantation, look for better markers of disease, and identify ways to preserve insulin-producing cells. The Program aims to propel type 1 diabetes research forward to reach the goals of prevention and cure.
Stroke outcomes directly relate to brain tissue rescue. We have contributed to changes in clinical practice through many clinical trials of new protocols and therapeutic strategies. Our program will focus on brain salvage in the pre-hospital setting and the acute hospital environment. We will use novel approaches to enhance brain recovery and design new implementation strategies to maximise the benefits of these therapeutic advances.
The Elimination Of Hepatitis C As A Global Public Health Threat
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$7,001,475.00
Summary
In Australia over 230,000 people live with chronic HCV infection, with an estimated annual health care cost of over > $6.5 billion if left untreated. New highly effective HCV medications - direct acting antivirals (DAAs) have a cure rate of > 90%. DAAs will revolutionise HCV care - we can now stop HCV related deaths and transmission making HCV elimination possible. This Program Grant will directly contribute to the global response to HCV elimination and Australia achieving elimination by 2 ....In Australia over 230,000 people live with chronic HCV infection, with an estimated annual health care cost of over > $6.5 billion if left untreated. New highly effective HCV medications - direct acting antivirals (DAAs) have a cure rate of > 90%. DAAs will revolutionise HCV care - we can now stop HCV related deaths and transmission making HCV elimination possible. This Program Grant will directly contribute to the global response to HCV elimination and Australia achieving elimination by 2030.Read moreRead less