Population-based Data Linkage To Investigate The Health And Development Of Children Born After IVF
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$321,972.00
Summary
In Australia 1 in 25 births are conceived from IVF treatment and this is increasing. My research program will use a comprehensive set of linked population data to address key questions in the IVF field following major changes to IVF practice in the last decade. This research (examining fetal growth, birth defects, intellectual disability and school achievement) has the potential to influence clinical practice and will greatly improve the information available for pre-treatment counselling.
Recent Changes In IVF Clinical Practice: Data Linkage To Investigate Their Impact On Fetal Growth And Birth Defects.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$219,076.00
Summary
In Australia 1 in 25 births are conceived from IVF treatment and this is increasing with the continuing trend towards later childbearing. This study will use linked population data to assess fetal growth and birth defects in IVF-conceived children following major changes to IVF practice in the last decade. There are limited data internationally on health outcomes following the use of more recent IVF techniques and insufficient data to allow for adequate pre-treatment counselling.
Prospective Study Of Birth Defects From Fetotoxic Agents In The Public Water Supply
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$732,036.00
Summary
Recent research in Australia & internationally shows that birth defects are more common in areas where mothers are exposed to poor quality drinking water, particularly when treatment chemicals known as trihalomethanes (THMs) are present. We will determine the risk that high THM levels pose to unborn babies by accurately measuring individual exposures to THMs & correlating these with adverse birth outcomes. The study will be in Perth where THM levels are very high in a number of suburbs.
Exploiting SNP Data In Epidemiology And Genetics Through Multivariate Analysis Of Complex Traits
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$476,981.00
Summary
There is overlap in risk factors across multiple diseases, and some of that overlap is due to genetic factors. The availability of genome-wide DNA data on tens of thousands of patients for multiple diseases and healthy controls allows new questions to be asked and answered. For example, what is the overlap due to genes in disease risk for multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis? This project will develop and statistical genetic methodology to answer such questions and apply those methods to ....There is overlap in risk factors across multiple diseases, and some of that overlap is due to genetic factors. The availability of genome-wide DNA data on tens of thousands of patients for multiple diseases and healthy controls allows new questions to be asked and answered. For example, what is the overlap due to genes in disease risk for multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis? This project will develop and statistical genetic methodology to answer such questions and apply those methods to a range of important diseases.Read moreRead less
I am a genetic epidemiologist focused on bowel cancer risk. I will develop a comprehensive model to estimate individual cancer risk by studying the effects of personal characteristics, cancer history, genetic factors and family history of cancer using large data sets from international consortia I helped establish. My research will enable targeting of screening to those most at risk and will aid the discovery of new causes for bowel cancer.
Identification Of A Gene That Increases Risk Of MS Via A Pathway Involving UV Exposure
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$111,000.00
Summary
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an auto-immune disease of the central nervous system that affects over 10 000 Australians. It is a progressive debilitating disease that affects predominantly young adults and current therapies are expensive, only moderately effective and are associated with significant side effects. The biological processes leading to this disease are not well understood and there is a need to identify new ways of treating the disease or preventing it. One of the known factors associa ....Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an auto-immune disease of the central nervous system that affects over 10 000 Australians. It is a progressive debilitating disease that affects predominantly young adults and current therapies are expensive, only moderately effective and are associated with significant side effects. The biological processes leading to this disease are not well understood and there is a need to identify new ways of treating the disease or preventing it. One of the known factors associated with MS is the striking association of increased MS incidence with cooler climates and reduced sun exposure. A study conduced by the Menzies Centre has recently provided evidence that increased childhood sun exposure is significantly associated with reduced risk of MS. This project aims to study those genes involved in the body's response to sun exposure as we propose that if sun exposure influences risk of MS then those genes may interact with sun exposure to modify risk of MS.Read moreRead less
Environmental Risk Factors For Iron Overload-related Disease In A Cohort Study Of Hereditary Haemochromatosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$152,936.00
Summary
Results published last year from our Melbourne HealthIron study of hereditary haemochromatosis (iron overload disease) show that almost one third of the 50,000 men genetically at risk of iron overload in Australia will develop symptoms of disease including fatigue, arthritis and liver damage. We will use data from the recent follow-up of the Health2020 cohort, of which HealthIron is a sub-study, to determine environmental risk factors for progression to disease in people with iron overload.
Genetic Epidemiology Of Endometrial Cancer: Towards Understanding Aetiology And Improving Risk Prediction.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$353,573.00
Summary
Studies investigating thousands of genetic markers have revolutionised our understanding of genes involved in cancer, and shown that a single gene can be associated with multiple cancers. We will conduct the largest ever study to find new genes for endometrial cancer, the most common gynaecological cancer. Our unique approach will examine >11million markers across the genome, some specifically in regions known to be important for other cancers. Findings will be used for risk prediction models ....Studies investigating thousands of genetic markers have revolutionised our understanding of genes involved in cancer, and shown that a single gene can be associated with multiple cancers. We will conduct the largest ever study to find new genes for endometrial cancer, the most common gynaecological cancer. Our unique approach will examine >11million markers across the genome, some specifically in regions known to be important for other cancers. Findings will be used for risk prediction models.Read moreRead less
Germline Mutations In Mismatch Repair Genes: Prevalence, Risk Of Cancer, And Environmental Modifiers Of Risk.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$216,750.00
Summary
Aims: 1. Develop a model that will predict who has a mutation in a group of genes that cause cancer 2. Estimate risk of cancer in people who have a mutation in these genes (carriers) 3. Determine if cancer risk in carriers can be reduced People who inherit a mutation in a group of genes called 'mismatch repair genes' are at increased risk of cancer, particularly cancer of the colon and rectum. If these carriers can be identified they can take preventive measures such as screening to reduce their ....Aims: 1. Develop a model that will predict who has a mutation in a group of genes that cause cancer 2. Estimate risk of cancer in people who have a mutation in these genes (carriers) 3. Determine if cancer risk in carriers can be reduced People who inherit a mutation in a group of genes called 'mismatch repair genes' are at increased risk of cancer, particularly cancer of the colon and rectum. If these carriers can be identified they can take preventive measures such as screening to reduce their risk of cancer and death. We will develop a model using data from the Colon Cancer Family Registry (CFR), the world's largest dataset of carriers and non-carriers which has already recruited and genetically tested over 4,000 families from Australasia, USA and Canada. The model will allow clinicians to predict who is a likely be a carrier based so they can be tested for the mutation. We know the risk of cancer is high in carriers, but we don't have precise estimates. We will use the Colon CFR applying sophisticated statistical methods required to answer this question. This data is critical for genetic counselling so appropriate decisions can be made by the patient and the doctor as to what preventive measures to take. We will also use the Colon CFR data to find out what how the carriers who develop cancer differ from those who stay cancer free using their completed lifestyle questionnaires which includes questions on diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, exercise, aspirin use, and oral contraceptive pill use. We may identify risk factors that carriers can avoid (or take up if they reduce cancer risk) to reduce their risk of cancer.Read moreRead less
A Population-based Family Study Of Filaggrin Mutations And Allergic Disease Risk In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$308,584.00
Summary
It is biologically plausible that the association of known environmental risk factors for asthma may be different for genetically susceptible individuals. Few studies have examined the interaction between genetic and environmental factors. that have not considered genetic susceptibility are estimating an average risk of asthma across all genotypes in the population which may not be relevant for a particular sub-group.