Investigation Into Oral Cancer In Non-drinking And Non-smoking Females
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$109,358.00
Summary
There has been an increase incidence of oral cancer in female non-drinkers, non-smokers. The five year survival following diagnosis can be as low as 15-50% as most cancers are advanced at the time of discovery.Precancerous and cancerous oral lesions may mimic any number of benign oral lesions, and as such may be left without investigation and treatment until well advanced. Further investigations into the cause of oral cancer other than smoking and alcohol will aid in management.
Targeted Molecular Therapies And Predictive Biomarkers In A Novel Orthotopic Xenograft Model Of Oesophageal Carcinoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$120,253.00
Summary
Oesophageal cancer is the most rapidly increasing malignancy in Western society. This disease often presents in advanced stages with poor response to established medical and surgical therapies. Our aim is to develop a novel mouse model of oesophageal cancer, allowing us to tailor cancer-inhibiting molecular treatments to individual patients by predicting therapeutic success or resistance with the use of cellular markers identified in our animal mode.
Application Of 3D Morphometrics To The Assessment Of Typical And Disordered Craniofacial Growth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$48,065.00
Summary
Traditionally, assessing the growth of the head and face has relied on measuring changes in distances and angles between landmarks on either patients, photographs or x-rays. This is not only slow but also not very accurate. This project will automate the identification of these landmarks on 3D images and quantify normal growth of the head and face. From this we can develop methods of quantifying abnormal growth and use these to understand the impact of surgical interventions on children.
Tissue factor is a central and major player in the clotting process. It exists in both active and inactive forms. The active form initiates clot formation. How it gets activated is one of the most important unanswered questions in this area of research. Our aim is to discover tissue factorÍs mechanism of activation. The outcome will provide more specific targets for therapeutic drug development for cardiovascular disease, strokes and deep venous thrombosis.
So Like Your Mum! Is The Health Of Mothers In Far North Queensland Reflected In The Nutrition And Growth Of Their Children In Early Life?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$96,631.00
Summary
The health, nutrition and growth of a baby reflect the health and nutrition status of its mother. We will link routine health service information for Indigenous mothers with information on the growth, haemoglobin and health of their young children to identify key factors in a mother’s pregnancy and before, influencing the future health and development of their babies. This study will shape interventions to improve the health of mothers, and thus improve the health of their children through life.
Transcriptional Control Of Peripheral T Cell Differentiation During Pathogen Infection And Autoimmunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$92,314.00
Summary
White blood cells, specifically helper and killer T cells, play an important role in fighting infection. They are tightly regulated and if not properly controlled can lead to aggressive autoimmune diseases such as diabetes and multiple sclerosis. My studies will elucidate the mechanisms behind the regulation of T cells at steady-state and during disease. Insights gained from this project will have implications for the design of new approaches to combat infectious and autoimmune diseases.
BDNF Genotype And Emotional Memory In Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$108,902.00
Summary
This project addresses the question of why some people develop PTSD following trauma and others don’t. It will assess the influence of genetics (specifically a genotype that influences Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor) on emotional memory processes as distressing emotional memories are a core symptom of PTSD. If we find that people with a particular genetic profile have a greater risk of developing intrusive memories after trauma, this will help us better target treatment for those individuals.
Measuring Hypoxia Induced MRNA In Maternal Blood To Determine Acidaemic Status Of Growth Restricted Fetuses In Utero
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$120,253.00
Summary
Small babies are at greater risk of dying while inside their mothers and the right time to deliver them is an obstetric conundrum. Currently obstetricians rely on ultrasound measures of the baby's wellbeing which do not always correspond with how sick the baby truly is. There is a great need for a more accurate test. This research intends to show that a blood test from the mother can more accurately tell how sick the baby is and provide an answer to when is the best time to deliver the baby.
The Cardiovascular Toll Of Pre-eclampsia: Determining Impacts On The Maternal, Fetal And Placental Vasculature.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$128,224.00
Summary
Pre-eclampsia is a common condition of pregnancy that causes a rise in blood pressure, protein in the urine and damage to other organs. It can cause significant harm to the mother and baby. In the long term, mums who have had pre-eclampsia are at a higher risk of developing heart problems. We want to explore how the heart changes in a pregnancy complicated by pre-eclampsia, and see if these changes can help us predict pregnancy risk and long term outcomes.