“I am a biomedical scientist undertaking basic and clinical research on the pathophysiology of growth plate injury and repair, which critically impacts on children’s bone growth and growth disorders. I aim to investigate the underlying mechanisms and deve
Early Career Industry Fellowships - Grant ID: IE230100135
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$448,222.00
Summary
Developing strong, robust and high performing women football players. Women drop out of Australian football at a higher rate than men, often due to concerns about their physical capabilities and performance. Yet, coaches do not prioritise developing physical capacity (eg strength), due to perceived lack of relevance to football. In community Australian football players, this study will identify physical capacity elements relevant for football performance, assess the change across a typical seaso ....Developing strong, robust and high performing women football players. Women drop out of Australian football at a higher rate than men, often due to concerns about their physical capabilities and performance. Yet, coaches do not prioritise developing physical capacity (eg strength), due to perceived lack of relevance to football. In community Australian football players, this study will identify physical capacity elements relevant for football performance, assess the change across a typical season and the influence of gender and age. Combining sport science and engineering, smartphone videos and open-access software will be utilised to develop cost-effective methods to assess tackling skill. Findings will inform better training strategies for women, reducing injury, enhancing retention and physical activity. Read moreRead less
An Abnormal Inflammatory Response Following Wrist Fracture Causes The Development Of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$99,073.00
Summary
This project will contribute essential knowledge about what causes some people to develop Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). CRPS affects approximately 5% of people following a fracture but can also occur with minimal injury. Sufferers experience gradually worsening levels of pain, skin discolouration, poor quality of life, and often severe depression. We will investigate the most likely cause of CRPS, which is thought to be an abnormal inflammatory reaction following injury.
SPARC Induced Tendon Differentiation And Regeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$154,718.00
Summary
Tendinopathy has a significant patient morbidity, which is a clear burden to the Australian economy. A better fundamental grasp of tendon tissue biology is urgently required. This study will enable us to establish the role of matricellular protein SPARC in tendon function, thus enhance the understanding of tendon biology and enable translation of the bench work to potential clinical applications.
Improving The Functional Outcomes Of Lower Limb Orthopaedic Surgery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,048.00
Summary
While orthopaedic surgery usually achieves pain relief and improves function somewhat, it can often leave a patient unable to perform certain activities. And these abnormal movement patterns are likely to cause further problems. This project will objectively measure post-surgical function, in order to improve the surgery and rehabilitation of some of the most complex orthopaedic conditions. The goal is that patients receive the maximum benefit from surgery.
Pathobiology Of The Small Leucine Rich Repeat Proteoglycans In Cartilage, Intervertebral Disc And Tendon Degeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$516,625.00
Summary
Back problems (M$700), OA (M$600), muscle and tendon disorders (M$500) accounted for 60% of musculoskeletal (MSK) health care expenditure in Australia in 1993-1994, were the second most common cause of presentations to a general practitioner, the third leading contributor to health system expenditure (>$3 billion) and accounted for ~300,000 hospital admissions, ~15 million medical services and over 13 million prescriptions. Significant disability due to MSK disease were noted in ~50% of peopl ....Back problems (M$700), OA (M$600), muscle and tendon disorders (M$500) accounted for 60% of musculoskeletal (MSK) health care expenditure in Australia in 1993-1994, were the second most common cause of presentations to a general practitioner, the third leading contributor to health system expenditure (>$3 billion) and accounted for ~300,000 hospital admissions, ~15 million medical services and over 13 million prescriptions. Significant disability due to MSK disease were noted in ~50% of people aged 65 years. Australian census data indicates that ageing trends will result in an increased incidence of MSK conditions as the longevity of the Australian population rises, exerting an ever increasing burden on the healthcare budget. Extreme levels of sporting or physical activity from traumatic loading of joints can lead to excessive loading of collagen fibres in MSK tissues leading to their failure and loss of tissue function. Common end stages of collagen fibre breakdown are preceded by matrix changes which may predispose MSK tissues to enzymatic and mechanical damage. One such change is an increased degradation of a family of small leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLRPs) which modulate the diameter, strength and assembly of collagen fibrils and bind and modify the effects of reparative growth factors and degradative cytokines within connective tissues. Altered synthesis of SLRPs and SLRP fragments have been identified in abnormal intervertebral disc, cartilage and tendon. Very little is known however about how these fragments are generated within these tissues and how they affect growth factor binding or collagen fibril formation. This deficiency will be addressed in our proposed study which will provide novel information on mechanisms of cartilage, intervertebral disc and tendon degeneration and potential therapeutic and diagnostic targets which may be exploited in future studies on the treatment of these musculoskeletal conditions.Read moreRead less
Mobilisation Of Endogenous Mesenchymal Progenitor Cells For Growth Plate Regeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$605,251.00
Summary
Growth plate cartilage is responsible for bone growth in children. Its injury is common and is often repaired undesirably by bony tissue which causes significant bone growth defects. This project will develop a biological treatment through mobilising endogenous progenitor cells to enhance growth plate regeneration and prevent bone growth defects, which will allow patients to avoid highly invasive/costly corrective surgeries.
Tendon injury is one of the most common health problems worldwide and affects almost everyone at some point in particular the aging populaiton. However, the current treatments are not well defined. We identifed an extracellular molecules SPARC that potentially plays an important role in tendon function. The aim of this study is to examine the role of SPARC in tendon development, homestasis and degenerative using transgenic mice and gene therapy. We predict that SPARC will have therapeutic value ....Tendon injury is one of the most common health problems worldwide and affects almost everyone at some point in particular the aging populaiton. However, the current treatments are not well defined. We identifed an extracellular molecules SPARC that potentially plays an important role in tendon function. The aim of this study is to examine the role of SPARC in tendon development, homestasis and degenerative using transgenic mice and gene therapy. We predict that SPARC will have therapeutic value for the treatment of tendinopathy.Read moreRead less
Why Macrophages Promote Heterotopic Ossifications Following Spinal Cord Injuries
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$586,950.00
Summary
A frequent complications of brain and spine injuries is the formation of bones outside of the skeleton called "heterotopic ossifications", particularly around joints such as the knee, hip, elbow or shoulder. They grow over a few months to become so large (up to 2 kg) that they block muscles and joints, increasing pain, morbidity and dependance. This project is to understand why heterotopic ossifications form in patients with spine injuries aiming to discover effecttive treatments.