I am a clinical researcher determining: a) the role of altered airway structure, particularly airway smooth muscle and extracellular matrix, in asthma and COPD; and b) the prevalence of, and risk factors for, respiratory disease in general populations.
Centre Of Research Excellence In Pulmonary And Environmental Medicine.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,007,200.00
Summary
This Centre will study inhalational lung diseases, ie diseases caused by substances such as asbestos, cigarette smoke, air pollutants and allergens. Australia has of the highest incidences in the world of at least 2 of the diseases to be studied, asbestos- and allergen-induced lung diseases. These two alone are estimated to cost the Australian economy over $100 million -yr and $1 billion respectively in direct health costs plus loss of productivity and compensation. Furthermore COPD on of our ot ....This Centre will study inhalational lung diseases, ie diseases caused by substances such as asbestos, cigarette smoke, air pollutants and allergens. Australia has of the highest incidences in the world of at least 2 of the diseases to be studied, asbestos- and allergen-induced lung diseases. These two alone are estimated to cost the Australian economy over $100 million -yr and $1 billion respectively in direct health costs plus loss of productivity and compensation. Furthermore COPD on of our other major areas of interest is the 4th leading cause of death in males and conservatively costs the economy over one billion dollars per year as well as being the leading cause of disability in the elderly. It is predicted that COPD will be the 4th most common disease worldwide by 2020. As such this area of study is important for Australia and internationally and any advances will deliver major economic and health benefits. We will study the role of blood and sputum tests in the diagnosis, monitoring, screening and management of lung diseases caused by asbestos, cigarette smoke, air pollutants and allergens ie. mesothelioma, asthma, COPD and lung cancer. We will apply modern DNA 'gene chip' methods to study the pathogenesis of these diseases and help us to identify new treatment targets. This will also be used to guide genetic searches for polymorphism's, spliced variants and DNA modification(epigentics) in COPD and lung cancer. Genetic studies of sensitivity to air pollution will be used to define at risk patients We will also evaluate how the method of cell death that occurs during some therapies eg. in cancer and allergy-asthma, might alter how the body responds and thus help us develop novel therapeutic strategies for these diseases. This research program should lead to new tests and treatments and at the same time promote the training of a new generation of young researchers in this field and so ensure that the work continues long termRead moreRead less
The Role Of The Hedgehog Signaling Pathway In Asbestos Associated Malignant Mesothelioma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$563,554.00
Summary
Mesothelioma is a aggressive asbestos related cancer mainly of the lung with no effective treatment. Evidence is pointing to the reactivation and aberrant expression of developmental signalling pathways such as the hedgehog signalling pathway as critical to the pathogenesis of certain types of cancer. This study will determine if mesothelioma is regulated by signalling through the hedgehog pathway and by blocking this pathway we will attempt to inhibit tumour growth.
Control Of Human Inspiratory Muscles In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$396,699.00
Summary
This project will study how human inspiratory muscles that 'pump' air into the lungs and upper airway 'dilator' muscles are controlled in normal healthy subjects and subjects with respiratory disorders such as obstructive sleep apnoea. We will study (i) the output to the inspiratory muscles, (ii) the interation of automatic and voluntary control of breathing, and (iii) reflex connections of human pump and dilator muscles. This work promises new understanding of basic and patho-physiology.
The Role Of Src Family Tyrosine Kinases In Inflammatory Lung Disease And Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$535,333.00
Summary
We aim to learn why some people develop COPD, a serious lung disease, and adenocarcinoma, a common fatal lung cancer. COPD is mostly caused by cigarette smoke which induces lung inflammation. Lung inflammation, which involves macrophage activation, is a major cancer risk. Macrophages can destroy lung tissue, and they may promote cancer development. We will study the role of Src kinases, which can regulate macrophage activation, which may lead to new treatments for these diseases.
Investigatin The Causes Of Failed Efferocytosis In COPD-emphysema With A View To Identifying Novel Theraputic Targets
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$380,558.00
Summary
COPD is a leading cause of death. Smoking is the major cause of COPD and many sufferers are left with permanent damage and need ongoing treatment even after smoking cessation. Current treatments for COPD generally have limited efficacy. The project will identify the reason for the large number of dying cells and defective clearance of these cells that we have identified in the airways in COPD and study novel treatments that we hope will improve the health and well being of those with COPD.
Economic, social and cross cultural issues in non-pharmaceutical protection of front line responders to pandemic influenza and emerging infections. The protection of front line responders in a pandemic is essential to underpin an effective response. This research is the only work internationally which will address a key gap in evidence. This research has major implications for the national stockpile and for management of front line responders in a pandemic. These data are urgently needed, not ju ....Economic, social and cross cultural issues in non-pharmaceutical protection of front line responders to pandemic influenza and emerging infections. The protection of front line responders in a pandemic is essential to underpin an effective response. This research is the only work internationally which will address a key gap in evidence. This research has major implications for the national stockpile and for management of front line responders in a pandemic. These data are urgently needed, not just in Australia, but globally to inform pandemic planning and disease control policy around emerging infections and bioterrorism.Read moreRead less
Minimally invasive monitoring of sleep for disease management. Sleep, diet and exercise are the three pillars of wellbeing with poor sleep associated with medical issues such as obesity and congestive heart failure. This project will advance sleep analysis by researching new ways of monitoring that are highly accurate and convenient, enabling physicians to improve the monitoring of significant health issues.
A New Non-invasive Diagnostic Technique Based On Detection Of Exhaled Respiratory Pathogens.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$179,300.00
Summary
We developed a special collection mask and showed that the breath of people with colds or flu contains a tiny amount of virus. Currently, diagnostic samples are collected by putting a tube into the airways - this is very uncomfortable. Our masks may provide a new and more comfortable way to diagnose lung infections. We want to build better masks and ways to detect viruses and bacteria to test out this method. This may create a new test that will improve diagnosis and treatment.
Mechanisms Of Apnea And Periodic Breathing In The Newborn.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$381,100.00
Summary
Breathing pauses referred to as apnea or periodic breathing occur frequently in the preterm infant, and often require intensive clinical vigilance to ensure survival. And yet the mechanisms that produce and terminate apnea are not understood. This study will investigate the mechanisms underlying infantile apnea and periodic breathing and the effectiveness of drugs and techniques currently used to control apnea by using a combination of infant animal model studies, mathematical modelling studies ....Breathing pauses referred to as apnea or periodic breathing occur frequently in the preterm infant, and often require intensive clinical vigilance to ensure survival. And yet the mechanisms that produce and terminate apnea are not understood. This study will investigate the mechanisms underlying infantile apnea and periodic breathing and the effectiveness of drugs and techniques currently used to control apnea by using a combination of infant animal model studies, mathematical modelling studies and studies in human preterm infants to improve our understanding of breathing control in infancy.Read moreRead less