Novel Strategies For Improving Respiratory Support And Outcomes For Very Preterm Babies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$8,381,820.00
Summary
Very premature birth is the commonest cause of illness and death in newborn babies, making it one of the most serious and costly issues in perinatal medicine. The major problem suffered by very premature babies is lung immaturity and its associated harmful effects on brain development. Most very premature babies require resuscitation followed by ventilatory support,often for several weeks. This is extremely expensive and places an enormous financial burden on health care systems. Furthermore, it ....Very premature birth is the commonest cause of illness and death in newborn babies, making it one of the most serious and costly issues in perinatal medicine. The major problem suffered by very premature babies is lung immaturity and its associated harmful effects on brain development. Most very premature babies require resuscitation followed by ventilatory support,often for several weeks. This is extremely expensive and places an enormous financial burden on health care systems. Furthermore, it increases the risks of respiratory illnesses, including bronchopulmonary dysplasia and chronic lung disease which can impair breathing and increase susceptibility to respiratory disease such as asthma later in life. The overall aim of this program is to improve outcomes for very premature babies, including less lung injury, better respiratory health and shorter stays in hospitals. In order to reduce the health burden caused by very premature birth on the community we need to know more about how it alters the normal development of the lungs in the newborn period and into later life. In particular, we need to understand the cellular and molecular processes involved in lung development so that we can identify gene networks and developmental processes that are disrupted by severe premature birth. Such knowledge is necessary to provide a more rational, scientific basis for managing and treating the alterations in lung structure and function caused by premature birth. We also need to develop better ways of resuscitating and ventilating these infants so that lung injury is minimized.The research team is led by two neonatologists and three biomedical research scientists with a proven record of effective collaboration. This team is internationally unique in that it includes practicing neonatologists, respiratory physiologists and molecular biologists who have collaborated together productively and are regarded as world leaders in their respective fields. New talents have been brought into the team to provide expertise in pulmonary stem cell biology, the design of novel steroid drugs, and clinical follow-up. Together, this team has the potential (a) to greatly enhance the understanding of the impact of very premature birth on the developing lung, (b) to improve resuscitation and ventilation techniques, and (c) to translate the new knowledge into clinical practice to improve the outcome for prematurely born babies. Using well characterized animal models we will determine gene networks involved in fetal lung development and how these are altered by premature birth. The successful transition from fetal to postnatal life is critical for survival at birth but more information is needed. Using newborn lambs and rabbits, we will trial novel strategies for enhancing the transformation of the immaturelung into an effective gas exchange organ at birth. New data on lung aeratioRead moreRead less
Improved Respiratory Support And Outcomes For Very Preterm Babies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$9,185,907.00
Summary
Premature babies are born with lungs that are not developed enough to sustain their breathing needs after birth. As a result, they need intensive care which is the most costly and challenging problem in newborn medicine as these infants can suffer life-long diseases because of their early birth. This programs study will help to understand the causes of lung disease in premature babies and develop better ways of caring for them to improve their chances of survival without ongoing illness and disa ....Premature babies are born with lungs that are not developed enough to sustain their breathing needs after birth. As a result, they need intensive care which is the most costly and challenging problem in newborn medicine as these infants can suffer life-long diseases because of their early birth. This programs study will help to understand the causes of lung disease in premature babies and develop better ways of caring for them to improve their chances of survival without ongoing illness and disabilityRead moreRead less
Developmental Aspects Of Respiratory Inflammation, Allergy And Asthma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$7,169,609.00
Summary
Asthma develops as a complex series of interactions between genetic susceptibility and environmental exposures occurring in early life. While many children grow out of asthma others do not and develop the chronic form of the disease that persists into adult life. Our research involves understanding why some susceptible children develop asthma and why this becomes chronic in some. We will undertake studies in children to find out how and why this occurs. A major part of our studies involve longit ....Asthma develops as a complex series of interactions between genetic susceptibility and environmental exposures occurring in early life. While many children grow out of asthma others do not and develop the chronic form of the disease that persists into adult life. Our research involves understanding why some susceptible children develop asthma and why this becomes chronic in some. We will undertake studies in children to find out how and why this occurs. A major part of our studies involve longitudinal studies in cohorts of children recruited before birth. Having the ability to study children as they grow and develop conditions such as allergies and asthma allows us to understand why these conditions occur and allow us to predict which children are likely to develop them. Our research Program also has a solid focus on Translational Research, in which we will use the findings from our basic science studies to develop and test new methods of preventing and of treating asthma. These studies will include new methods for preventing the development of allergies, preventing the damage done to the lungs by severe viral respiratory infections in early life and better methods of treating established allergic asthma by improving immunotherapy techniques. By its very nature, primary prevention of disease in young children is controversial and raises some interesting questions. As part of this Program we intend to initiate consultation and debate in public, academic, regulatory and industry circles. An important role for our Program is shifting the current emphasis away from treatment of established disease towards preventing disease occurring. This is the best way to decrease the health, social and economic burden of chronic diseases such as asthma.Read moreRead less
Control Of Cell Proliferation And Differentiation In Breast And Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,043,011.00
Summary
Breast and prostate cancer are the most commonly diagnosed cancers in women and men respectively, together accounting for >25% of all newly diagnosed cancers in Australia and other developed countries. Although significant improvements in the management of these cancers have occurred in the past 20 years further research is needed to better understand the molecular mechanisms of disease development and progression. Such research is critical to the better management and ultimate control of the ....Breast and prostate cancer are the most commonly diagnosed cancers in women and men respectively, together accounting for >25% of all newly diagnosed cancers in Australia and other developed countries. Although significant improvements in the management of these cancers have occurred in the past 20 years further research is needed to better understand the molecular mechanisms of disease development and progression. Such research is critical to the better management and ultimate control of these diseases through better treatments and prevention. A multidisciplinary team of cancer researchers at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, with a 10 year track record of discovery and application of their research into breast and prostate cancer, will employ state-of-the-art research tools to identify new molecules and molecular pathways involved in these diseases. This new information will facilitate the improved management of these cancers through improved assessment of disease progression at the time of diagnosis and the development of new drugs and strategies for treatment and prevention.Read moreRead less
Disorders of sexual development (DSDs) are surprisingly common, and often result in infertility, genital abnormalities, gender mis-assignment and long-term psychological trauma. In this Program we will pool our expertise in human molecular genetics, mouse developmental biology and protein chemistry to identify genes important for sex determination and development of the gonads, and discover how they contribute to DSD, in order to improve clinical care to patients with DSD.
Molecular Markers Of Phenotype, Therapeutic Responsiveness And Prognosis In Human Cancers.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$11,762,117.00
Summary
This proposal aims to identify molecular markers that can be used to classify subtypes of particular cancers according to their prognosis and response to therapy. This will optimise selection of patients for the most appropriate treatment and lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies.
Molecular Determinants Of Risk, Progression And Treatement Response In Melenoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$12,947,193.00
Summary
Melanoma is a major Australian health problem. It is the third most common cancer in men and women and has a disproportionately heavy impact on productive years of life because it is the common cause of cancer death in younger adults. The investigators are all associated with the Melanoma Institute Australia, incorporating the Sydney Melanoma Unit (SMU). MIA is the world’s largest clinical service dedicated to the treatment of melanoma, treating >1500 new melanoma patients annually and mainta ....Melanoma is a major Australian health problem. It is the third most common cancer in men and women and has a disproportionately heavy impact on productive years of life because it is the common cause of cancer death in younger adults. The investigators are all associated with the Melanoma Institute Australia, incorporating the Sydney Melanoma Unit (SMU). MIA is the world’s largest clinical service dedicated to the treatment of melanoma, treating >1500 new melanoma patients annually and maintains a repository of clinical data on melanoma and a large melanoma tissue bank. The Program has also recruited large numbers of people from the community, as well as people with a strong family history of melanoma, in order to study its causes. It aims to utilise these internationally-recognised resources to develop a scientific basis for 1) improved management of individuals at high risk for development and progression of melanoma, and 2) improved treatment of patients with early and disseminated melanoma, in an era of rapid change in the prospects of successfully treating this dangerous cancer. The Program will do this by consolidating and extending its existing collaborative research, supported by NHMRC since 2006.Read moreRead less
THE INTERFACE BETWEEN INNATE AND ADAPTIVE IMMUNITY
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,905,420.00
Summary
Allergic disorders including asthma are amongst the most prevalent diseases in Australia afflicting up to 25% of the population and costing the Australian Government in excess of $600 million annually. This program aims to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms controlling airway inflammation, focusing on the cross-talk between scavenger cells at airway surfaces and circulating cells of the immune system. These studies will combine sophisticated mouse models of airway inflammation in t ....Allergic disorders including asthma are amongst the most prevalent diseases in Australia afflicting up to 25% of the population and costing the Australian Government in excess of $600 million annually. This program aims to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms controlling airway inflammation, focusing on the cross-talk between scavenger cells at airway surfaces and circulating cells of the immune system. These studies will combine sophisticated mouse models of airway inflammation in the laboratory with clinical investigation and analysis of human tissue. Understanding these processes will translate into better treatments for patients suffering from life-threatening allergy and asthma.Read moreRead less
Gynaecological, Oesophageal And Skin Cancer In Australia: Developing The Evidence-base
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$6,079,935.00
Summary
Our Program addresses cancers of the ovary, uterus, oesophagus and skin (both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers). The first three cancers together affect almost 4,000 people and cause more than 2,000 deaths every year while skin cancer affects almost 400,000 Australians each year. Our aims are, first, to understand better how these cancers are caused so that we can try to prevent them in the future; second, to enhance diagnosis of these cancers; and third, to improve the survival and qualit ....Our Program addresses cancers of the ovary, uterus, oesophagus and skin (both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers). The first three cancers together affect almost 4,000 people and cause more than 2,000 deaths every year while skin cancer affects almost 400,000 Australians each year. Our aims are, first, to understand better how these cancers are caused so that we can try to prevent them in the future; second, to enhance diagnosis of these cancers; and third, to improve the survival and quality of life for people who are diagnosed with these cancers in Australia.Read moreRead less
Molecular Genetics Of Sex Determination And Gonad Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,580,898.00
Summary
Intersex disorders - ranging in severity from hypospadias (misplacement of the urethral opening) to complete sex reversal - are surprisingly common, with estimates as high as 4% of all live births. These disorders usually result in infertility, genital abnormalities, gender mis-assignment and long-term psychological trauma. The cause of these problems is most often the failure of the delicate network of gene regulation that is responsible for proper development of testes or ovaries in the embryo ....Intersex disorders - ranging in severity from hypospadias (misplacement of the urethral opening) to complete sex reversal - are surprisingly common, with estimates as high as 4% of all live births. These disorders usually result in infertility, genital abnormalities, gender mis-assignment and long-term psychological trauma. The cause of these problems is most often the failure of the delicate network of gene regulation that is responsible for proper development of testes or ovaries in the embryo. This research program will identify genes important for sex determination and development of the gonads, find out how these genes function and interact, and discover how they contribute to cases of aberrant sexual development in humans. Australia boasts three of the foremost international researchers in sex determination. Their contributions have been fundamental to the advancement of the field, including the identification and characterization of the master testis determining gene and other genes critical for sex determination. They now propose to pool their expertise in human molecular genetics, mouse developmental biology and protein chemistry to bring spectacular advances in our knowledge of human sexual development and its associated disorders. This information will be used to bring improved clinical care to patients withdisorders of sexual development.Read moreRead less