Bronchiectasis And Infection With The Human T-lymphotropic Virus 1 Among Indigenous Australians
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$849,674.00
Summary
The Indigenous people of Central Australia have the highest reported prevalence of bronchiectasis in the world. In a recent study, we found infection with Human T -cell Lymphotropic Virus type 1 (HTLV-1) may contribute to the devlopment of bronchiectasis. The present study seeks to confirm this association and to determine whether increased HTLV-1 activity is associated with greater risk. This will require the development of assays that will improve diagnosis and assist in determining prognosis ....The Indigenous people of Central Australia have the highest reported prevalence of bronchiectasis in the world. In a recent study, we found infection with Human T -cell Lymphotropic Virus type 1 (HTLV-1) may contribute to the devlopment of bronchiectasis. The present study seeks to confirm this association and to determine whether increased HTLV-1 activity is associated with greater risk. This will require the development of assays that will improve diagnosis and assist in determining prognosis of HTLV infection.Read moreRead less
Analysis Of Circulating Tumour DNA For Mutational Characterisation And Tracking Disease Progression In Multiple Myeloma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$908,676.00
Summary
Multiple myeloma is cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow and presents at multiple sites with dissimilar genetic information (GI) across these sites. Invasive biopsies of multiple sites are required to determine the GI. Cancer cells shed small amounts of DNA into the blood stream and this circulating DNA (ctDNA) contains GI from multiple cancer sites. This project will evaluate the utility of ctDNA to determine GI and to predict treatment response in MM patients.
Developing Lung Function Reference Ranges In Aboriginal Australians
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$875,382.00
Summary
Lung function in Aboriginal Australians may be up to 30% lower than that of the Caucasian population. Comparing a patient’s lung function result to normal is critical to help diagnose and manage lung diseases. There are no lung function normal ranges for Aboriginal Australians. Our study will measure lung function in healthy Aboriginal children and adults and develop Aboriginal specific reference values and thus help ensure the highest level of clinical care for Aboriginal patients.
Predicting Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Using 3D Craniofacial Photography
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$424,715.00
Summary
Sleep Apnoea is a common medical condition associated with snoring and collapse of the throat during sleep. Diagnosis of sleep apnoea involves an overnight sleep study in a specialised laboratory, which is expensive and time consuming. It is possible that sleep apnea could be diagnosed from a 3-dimensional photograph of the face. This study will define the relationships between sleep apnea and 3D face photographs in 956 young adults and 1,200 of their parents, and 3,000 sleep clinic patients.
Evaluation Of Blood-based Screening Tests For Colorectal Neoplasia; From Biomarker Candidates To Accurate And Acceptable Tests
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$767,382.00
Summary
Current bowel cancer screening tests require people to collect a stool sample. While able to be done at home, this creates certain inconveniences and has other barriers to its use including being distasteful to some. Also, even though stool tests are useful they are not as accurate as we would like. We have discovered a molecule in the blood of patients with bowel cancer that could, if configured as a screening test, serve to be of even greater accuracy and also be more acceptable to people.
Improving Treatment Outcomes For Malignant Mesothelioma Patients Using Biomarkers.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$795,262.00
Summary
The deadly asbestos-induced cancer mesothelioma is continuing to kill tens of thousands of people each year. Most patients are diagnosed with advanced disease. In this study we will use novel biomarkers to help the diagnosis of mesothelioma and potentially improve treatment options for patients.
Biomarkers To Define The Treatment End-point For Pulmonary Exacerbations In Cystic Fibrosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,031,371.00
Summary
Sensitive and reliable tests are required to monitor lung disease severity in cystic fibrosis. A number of potential methods have emerged in recent years. We will investigate how these tests track an acute episode of lung disease and determine whether, following a typical course of treatment, there is evidence of residual damage that contributes to overall progression of lung disease.
Molecular Epidemiology And High Resolution Surveillance Of Salmonella Enterica Serovar Typhimurium In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$583,180.00
Summary
Salmonella typhimurium is a leading cause of the food-borne disease – salmonellosis. It is responsible for considerable morbidity and has an enormous economic cost. Molecular typing is the key to rapidly identify and control outbreaks. This project will employ next generation sequencing technology to develop a new molecular typing scheme. A surveillance system that integrates molecular typing data and epidemiological data will be developed for outbreak investigation and disease prevention.
Novel Fluorogenic Probes For The Selective Detection Of Pathogenic Bacteria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$542,489.00
Summary
Current methods for the detection of multi-resistant organisms either require expensive instrumentation and expert analysts or are simple, but require 24-48 hours for bacterial identification. The ideal surveillance method would be cost effective, rapid, reliable, and simple to perform. This project aims to prepare a range of fluorescent substrates for incorporation into growth media which will then be evaluated for the specific identification of individual multi-resistant organisms, e.g. MRSA.