Conquering Schistosomiasis In China: The Last Mile
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,432,780.00
Summary
Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia), caused by Schistosoma bloodflukes, is an ancient disease in the People’s Republic of China (PRC). After decades of control, the Chinese authorities have slated their intention to eliminate the disease by 2020. However, current diagnostic methods underestimate the true infection rates so we contend this target is unattainable. Supplementation of current control measures with additional public health interventions will be required to achieve the goal of elimination.
Novel Insights Into The Mechanisms Of How Chikungunya Virus Cause Disease In Humans
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$554,808.00
Summary
Many of the most dangerous and easily transmitted infectious agents are viruses. The emergence of chikungunya virus globally and the recognition of this pathogen in the aetiology of chronic diseases show the need for a better understanding of how the virus cause disease. The expected outcomes are a better understanding of human alphaviral diseases, with a view to improving prevention and treatment strategies to reduce the disease burden of CHIKV and related viruses.
Using High-throughput Genomics To Reveal The Deleterious Genetic Changes That Underlie Paediatric Leukoencephalopathies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,003,712.00
Summary
There has been an explosion of high-throughput DNA sequencing technologies in the past five years, which have the potential to completely revolutionise medicine and scientific research. Here we present a series of studies showing the successful application of this technology to children with genetic disorders of the central nervous system. This proposal seeks to expand this study to a large cohort of similarly affected paediatric patients.
Improving Patient Safety In Radiation Therapy With The Watchdog Real-time Treatment Delivery Verification System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$593,742.00
Summary
Radiation therapy is a highly effective cancer treatment with extremely high doses delivered using very complex treatment machines. Unfortunately errors have occurred resulting in cases of patient death and mistreatment. We have developed a novel method to assess the treatment delivery in real-time to prevent errors. The method uses imaging devices that are already present on the treatment machine meaning that this method could have a major impact on patient safety in modern radiation therapy.
Design And Application Of New Nanomaterials Theranostic Platforms For Targeted Treatment Of Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$530,626.00
Summary
The project aims to develop intelligent drugs that attract to malignant tumors like magnets. These powerful, next-generation chemotherapy drugs seek out cancerous cells, allowing physicians to see exactly where tumours lie. Nanoparticles inside the drugs then switch on upon contact with X-ray radiation beams. This new method, which can diagnose, deliver targeted therapy and monitor the response to therapy all at the same time, would reduce the amount of radiation needed to kill cancer cells.
Fast And Efficient Assessment Of Dose In Small Targets In Radiotherapy: Effect Of Motion In Clinical Research And Implementation Of Dynamic Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$501,265.00
Summary
The continued progress of radiation therapy for cancer patients has been driven by technology developments that have increased the complexity of radiation delivery, but has come at the cost of increased potential for errors in radiation planning and delivery. The aim of this project is to implement an instrument for verification of treatment delivered to organs with large variation of shape and position due to respiration. This will enhance treatment outcome and patient quality of life.
Optimising Radiation Therapy Delivery For Cancer Patients Using Daily Image Guidance To Maximize Cure And Reduce Normal Tissue Side Effects
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$510,968.00
Summary
When using radiotherapy to kill tumours, the radiation beams need to be targeted at the tumour, plus a margin of error around it to ensure that it receives sufficient dose despite uncertainties in its exact location relative to reference points used for beam alignment. Advanced statistical modelling techniques applied to data collected from patients will be used to determine the optimal margin width for individual patients to maximise cancer cure while minimising normal tissue side effects.
A School-based Health Education Package For The Prevention Of Soil-transmitted Helminth Infections In China And The Philippines
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,488,949.00
Summary
We will undertake intervention trials in China and the Philippines, where infection rates are high, to evaluate a school-based health educational video targeting intestinal worms with the vision of developing a universal school-focused educational tool as part of multi-component integrated control programs targeting intestinal worm infections for Southeast Asia and beyond.
Reduction Of Oxygen After Cardiac Arrest: The EXACT Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,891,021.00
Summary
We aim to conduct a Phase 3 multi-centre, randomised, controlled trial to determine whether reducing oxygen administration to target a normal level as soon as possible following successful resuscitation from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, compared to current practice of maintaining 100% oxygen, improves patient survival at hospital discharge.
Cancer Radiotherapy 2020: Accounting For Tumour Deformation In Real Time To Improve Treatment Outcome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$371,616.00
Summary
Tumours in lung and prostate cancer change shape during radiotherapy treatment. This is not accounted for in current care, compromising the therapeutic efficacy. We will develop the first radiotherapy system that can adjust the radiation beam in real time to follow the changing tumour shape. We will assess the performance of the system and quantify the clinical benefit. It is expected that clinical implementation of this technique will improve the cure rates and decrease the treatment toxicity.