Protecting The Endothelial Glycocalyx To Improve Transplant Rates And Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$725,180.00
Summary
A tiny, previously overlooked, structure called the endothelial glycocalyx (EG) is now known to ‘waterproof’ blood vessels. This grant extends our exciting preliminary data in the field of lung transplantation, where we have shown that EG loss is the main cause of a poorly functioning organ, to develop new tests of lung and kidney function, as well as treatments to resuscitate marginal organs outside the body, so improving access to and the safety of transplantation.
Monitoring Of Leucocyte Cytokine-chemokines To Improve Morbidity And Rejection Rates In Lung Transplant Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$373,973.00
Summary
Lung transplantation has become established therapy for many serious lung diseases. The early success rate is now very good, but at five years after transplant the survival rate is only around 60%. This problem is largely due to chronic graft failue as a result of chronic rejection or bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome. This project will specifically investigate the causes of BOS and thereby provide new information on how we may best treat this problem. An improvement in this area is critical.
Conquering The Final Frontier In Lung Transplantation - Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Therapy For Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,887,790.00
Summary
Lung transplantation remains the only treatment option for an increasing number of Australians with end-stage lung disease, however long-term outcomes are severely compromised by the almost universal development of chronic rejection. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) hold great promise in treating rejection, and in a world-first we have recently demonstrated that this approach is safe. In another world-first, this randomized, controlled study will determine whether MSC therapy is effective.
X-ray Micro-tomography Validation of HRCT-Based Airway Measurements. This project brings together a newly emergent modality of microscopy in the form of 3D X-ray micro-tomography (XRMT) along with leading-edge image analysis to develop breakthrough science in respiratory research aimed at improving the reliability of high resolution computed tomography (HRCT). The project will develop novel 3D lung image segmentation protocols, a stereotactic registration program allowing 3D matching of XRCT and ....X-ray Micro-tomography Validation of HRCT-Based Airway Measurements. This project brings together a newly emergent modality of microscopy in the form of 3D X-ray micro-tomography (XRMT) along with leading-edge image analysis to develop breakthrough science in respiratory research aimed at improving the reliability of high resolution computed tomography (HRCT). The project will develop novel 3D lung image segmentation protocols, a stereotactic registration program allowing 3D matching of XRCT and HRCT data sets, and a validation protocol for quantitative HRCT analysis of airway disease. These outcomes will allow wider application of HRCT to non-invasively follow the dynamics of pulmonary function.Read moreRead less
In-vivo detection of airway injury and disease using phase contrast X-ray velocimetry. Currently diagnosis of lung disease, a major cause of death in humans, is based on clinical symptoms that do not usually manifest until the disease is well advanced. This project will develop a novel imaging technique, X-ray velocimetry, to detect changes in tissue before symptoms arise, potentially leading to strategies for managing lung diseases.
Low dose methods for detecting early lung disease using x-ray phase contrast imaging. This project will develop a highly sensitive, low-dose x-ray imaging technique for the early detection of diseases of the respiratory system. This technology will have the potential to be used as a diagnostic screening tool to reduce the incidence of respiratory related deaths from diseases such as lung cancer and emphysema.
I am a pulmonary physician-gene therapist persuing new therapies for pulmonary vascular disease, lung cancer and mesothelioma, COPD and lung transplant rejection
Advanced imaging technology for measuring pulmonary form and function. Studies of the lung are often limited by difficulties associated with imaging the complex network of airways with conventional techniques. This project will develop novel phase contrast image x-ray imaging technologies to enable quantitative measurements of lung structure and function for studying lung development and assessing lung health.