Social media, weather forecasting and mineral exploration are driven by Big Data enabled by new technologies. Likewise, disease prevention, diagnosis and prediction is moving towards personalised and precision medicine, facilitated by novel genomics technologies. This Program of research will develop analysis methods and tools and apply them to clinical genomics data in neurological and psychiatric disorders, thereby paving the way for the translation of genomic tools to common diseases.
Biomedical research now routinely generates massive, complex datasets using next generation sequencing platforms and other high throughput “omics” technologies. Our unique program will develop powerful computational and statistical methods to analyse such data. We will apply these methods to a range of human diseases including cancer, and infectious and genetics disease, contributing to deeper insight into pathological states.
Molecular Determinants Of Risk, Progression And Treatment Response In Melanoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$15,161,573.00
Summary
The investigators, all associated with the Melanoma Institute Australia, have recruited numerous people and biospecimens in order to study the causes, subtypes and treatment strategies in melanoma. The team aims to develop a scientific basis for improved 1) management of individuals at high risk of melanoma development and progression, and 2) treatment of patients with early and disseminated melanoma, thereby contributing to improved prospects of successfully treating this dangerous cancer.
Biomarkers To Aid Clinical Trials For Neurodegenerative Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$13,179,875.00
Summary
Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease continue to affect more Australians every year, due to an ageing population and the lack of effective drugs currently available. Whilst these diseases present with different symptoms, we’ve discovered that they share a common underlying feature; the inability to clear certain metals and proteins from the brain. Our program aims to explore these clearance pathways in the brain and identify new targets to help us better diagnose and treat these diseases.
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.
Uncovering The Basis Of Inflammatory And Immunodeficiency Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$15,718,075.00
Summary
A world-class team from 3 institutions, spanning disciplines of clinical and experimental immunology, therapeutics, signalling and genetics, will identify how immune and inflammatory responses are controlled in both health and disease. The major outcomes of this work will be the generation of new knowledge, concepts and approaches to diagnose, prevent and treat the major human health problems of autoimmune diseases, inflammation, allergy and immunodeficiency.
Optimisation Of Wolbachia Based Control Strategies To Reduce Dengue Incidence And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$6,073,640.00
Summary
The project will build on recent advances in the use of Wolbachia infected mosquitoes to limit dengue transmission. Key outcomes will include improved understanding of Wolbachia spread after release, development of techniques for regional spread, understanding the epidemiology of dengue transmission in Vietnam and preparing a panel of new Wolbachia:A. aegypti strain combinations for evaluation for implementation programs.
Clinical, Public Health And Policy Interventions To Combat Cardiovascular Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$24,025,090.00
Summary
This program will generate and translate evidence from high-quality research designed to inform the decisions of health care providers and policy makers about best strategies for the prevention and treatment of cardiometabolic conditions. The program, with both domestic and global relevance, will address a spectrum of issues, with translational outcomes for clinical research.
Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya are viral diseases transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. Our research uses a naturally-occurring bacteria, Wolbachia, to stop mosquitoes transmitting these viruses to humans. Our proposal addresses critical knowledge gaps in the biology of mosquitoes and Wolbachia to enable large-scale field-deployment optimisation in affected countries. The outcome of our research will immediately translate to disease control efforts in northern Australia, Asia and Latin America.