Understanding The Regulation Of HERG Potassium Channel In The Myometrium At The Time Of Labour
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$597,661.00
Summary
We have shown that a potassium channel known as hERG falls precipitously at the time of term labour and that blocking this channel causes powerful uterine contractions. This grant will determine how the expression of this channel is regulated in the myometrium and whether changes in hERG channels also occur in premature labour.
Understanding The Myometrial Transition At Term And Preterm Labour To Guide Tocolysis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$808,447.00
Summary
This grant seeks to understand how the muscle cells of the uterus transform at the time of labour. We propose that this transformation is organised by enzymes that modify the histones around key genes. We will test if a similar pathway operates in cases of preterm labour. The results will guide the development of new ways of treating premature labour that will use targeted nanoparticles to deliver siRNA directly to the muscle cells of the uterus.
Optimising Future Human Health By Optimising Birth Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$876,005.00
Summary
Laureate Professor Smith received an AM for his research on human pregnancy and contributions to Indigenous maternal health. His research has dramatically expanded in the last 5 years to include stillbirth, viral infections during pregnancy, early detection of renal disease, the development of targeted nanoparticles for delivery of therapeutics to the uterus, and data-linkage to test the impact of antenatal care. His research seeks to optimise the health of pregnant women and their children.
Australian labour market adjustment to technology, trade and policy. This project aims to examine how the Australian labour market has adjusted over the past 30 years to several major developments: increased use of computers, growth in international trade and the mining boom, microeconomic reform, and the expansion of higher education. The analysis is designed to encompass the effect on labour market outcomes including workers’ pay, the skill composition of employment, migration flows and indivi ....Australian labour market adjustment to technology, trade and policy. This project aims to examine how the Australian labour market has adjusted over the past 30 years to several major developments: increased use of computers, growth in international trade and the mining boom, microeconomic reform, and the expansion of higher education. The analysis is designed to encompass the effect on labour market outcomes including workers’ pay, the skill composition of employment, migration flows and individuals’ decisions about acquiring education. Having a richer understanding of how the labour market has adjusted in the past may help policy-makers to infer how adjustment will happen in the future. For example, a better understanding of the effects of new technologies would provide a stronger basis for judging trends in job creation and hence the types of skills and training that will be required in Australia in future years.Read moreRead less
Economic stress, non-cognitive skill development and life outcomes. This project aims to identify policies in which the fostering of non-cognitive skills (NCS) can break the persistence of economic disadvantage. The project seeks to investigate the mechanisms behind differential development, intergenerational transmission of NCS between "rich and poor," how exposure to economic stress inhibits NCS development and the role of schooling in boosting NCS of disadvantaged children. Expected outcomes ....Economic stress, non-cognitive skill development and life outcomes. This project aims to identify policies in which the fostering of non-cognitive skills (NCS) can break the persistence of economic disadvantage. The project seeks to investigate the mechanisms behind differential development, intergenerational transmission of NCS between "rich and poor," how exposure to economic stress inhibits NCS development and the role of schooling in boosting NCS of disadvantaged children. Expected outcomes include evidence-based policy advice on how human capital investments in NCS can be beneficial for health, educational and labour market success, and how NCS can survive despite economic stress. Intended benefits include new cost-effective policies to reduce inequality and maximise the welfare of society.Read moreRead less
Characterisation Of Immune Regulators In The Human Myometrium.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$85,285.00
Summary
Premature birth is a major cause of perinatal death and morbidity. It further predisposes the individual to increased morbidity throughout life. Although the mechanism of birth has been heavily researched with an objective of preventing preterm babies, it is still not fully understood. A major problem has been the lack of suitable and accessible animal models. A key organ coordinating the birth event is the uterine smooth muscle, myometrium. For effective birth and delivery, the myometrium needs ....Premature birth is a major cause of perinatal death and morbidity. It further predisposes the individual to increased morbidity throughout life. Although the mechanism of birth has been heavily researched with an objective of preventing preterm babies, it is still not fully understood. A major problem has been the lack of suitable and accessible animal models. A key organ coordinating the birth event is the uterine smooth muscle, myometrium. For effective birth and delivery, the myometrium needs to be contracting synchronously in a coordinated manner to dilate the cervix while pushing the fetus into position for eventual delivery through the birth canal. This project aims to characterise the molecular events occurring at the myometrium which precedes and precipitates labour. These local changes will be linked with the systemic hormonal changes in order to approach a model for human parturition.Read moreRead less
A Double Blind Randomised Placebo Controlled Trial Of Melatonin As An Adjuvant Agent In Induction Of Labour
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$384,566.00
Summary
Induction of labour, a common obstetric intervention fails in almost 40% of first time mothers. There is evidence to suggest that the endogenous hormone melatonin has important roles in the progress of labour. We will undertake a double-blind randomised placebo controlled trial of melatonin supplementation to improve the success of induction of labour in first time mothers. We will also assess the economic impact of melatonin supplementation at induction of labour.
People Development Program: Peter Dundas-Smith Scholarship - Eric Perez (Exploring Leadership Development Capacity Within The Fisheries Research And Development Corporation In The Context Of Rural Research Development Corporations)
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$15,000.00
Summary
The aim of the study is to explore leadership development within the context of the FRDC and more broadly the Australian rural RDC context. The study will explore past leadership development initiatives, current trends, environmental factors and future issues facing leadership development.
While there is considerable research on leadership in general and leadership theory there is a paucity of leadership development research as it relates to rural RDCs. The focus of this study is expl ....The aim of the study is to explore leadership development within the context of the FRDC and more broadly the Australian rural RDC context. The study will explore past leadership development initiatives, current trends, environmental factors and future issues facing leadership development.
While there is considerable research on leadership in general and leadership theory there is a paucity of leadership development research as it relates to rural RDCs. The focus of this study is exploratory and will focus on understanding and improving the leadership development capacity of the FRDC and its commercially focused sectors. There are multiple aims embedded in the study including:
1. Identify past developmental initiatives, return on investment, current trends, environmental factors, likely future demand and changes in the operational environment at the FRDC and rural RDC level. 2. Identifying how the FRDC and rural RDCs identify emerging leaders. 3. Identify the views of current senior industry leaders (i.e. industry association Board members) of current leadership capacity and leadership development. 4. Develop a set of guidelines for use by the FRDC and rural RDCs as a basis for leadership development.
The project's multiple project elements will provide the FRDC and rural RDCs with views and issues facing emerging, current and senior leadership. Objectives: 1. Explore the learnings and issues identified by seafood industry and rural RDC leaders. 2. Cataloguing the leadership journey amongst emerging, current and senior leaders across the seafood industry and rural RDCs. 3. Researcher achieves Learning Objectives by developing high level research and industry engagement skills through the life of the project. 4. Add to academic literature with regard to leadership development. Read moreRead less
Sustainability Of The Australian Aquaculture Industry
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$3,600.00
Summary
Objectives: 1. To provide the industry and other stakeholders with a straightforward and practical means of locating the scientific evidence to assess the sustainability of Australian aquaculture 2. To provide the industry and other stakeholders with concise summaries of the evidence relating to the most important topics relating to the sustainability of key sectors of the Australian aquaculture industry