Social media, weather forecasting and mineral exploration are driven by Big Data enabled by new technologies. Likewise, disease prevention, diagnosis and prediction is moving towards personalised and precision medicine, facilitated by novel genomics technologies. This Program of research will develop analysis methods and tools and apply them to clinical genomics data in neurological and psychiatric disorders, thereby paving the way for the translation of genomic tools to common diseases.
Biomedical research now routinely generates massive, complex datasets using next generation sequencing platforms and other high throughput “omics” technologies. Our unique program will develop powerful computational and statistical methods to analyse such data. We will apply these methods to a range of human diseases including cancer, and infectious and genetics disease, contributing to deeper insight into pathological states.
Human Epilepsy: Understanding Biology To Improve Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$16,657,948.00
Summary
Our team of neurologists, molecular geneticists, physiologists and brain imaging specialists and leads the world in the discovery of the genetic causes of epilepsy. Through this work we will identify genes underlying epilepsy and study how genetic variations result in the development of seizures. Advanced brain imaging will be used to understand the effects of genetic variation on brain structure and function. This study may lead to new diagnostic methods and treatments for epilepsy.
Depressive And Bipolar Disorders: Causes, Presentation And Treatment Innovations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$7,100,605.00
Summary
Depression and bipolar disorder are two of Australia’s leading causes of disease burden, with 3-4 million Australians affected during their lifetime. However, despite being such a serious health burden, there are major shortcomings to current understanding and management. This research program aims to further our knowledge of the causes and presentations of the mood disorders, and to improve and “tailor” treatment for the many Australians who suffer from these highly disabling illnesses.
Disorders Of Sex Development: Genetics, Diagnosis, Informing Clinical Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,751,502.00
Summary
Disorders of sexual development (DSDs) are surprisingly common, and often result in genital abnormalities, gender mis-assignment, infertility and psychological trauma. We will pool our expertise in human genetics, molecular and developmental biology, to find genes important for sex development, identify gene defects that cause DSD, and study their functions. We will liaise with clinicians to apply these findings to the accurate diagnosis and medical care of DSD in children.
This Program team will discover new things about immunity to cancer and virus infection and translate the information into novel therapies in patients with blood or solid cancers. The approaches will include new cellular or antibody therapies, alone or in combination. We will determine new predictive biomarkers to better select patients for therapy. We will overcome treatment resistance, improve the safety of combination therapies, and determine their best scheduling and dosing.
For 60 years, we have had only 3 effective cancer treatments: surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, often used in combination.The last 5 years have produced a powerful fourth treatment: the patient's own immune system.The long standing collaborations and synergies of our multi-disciplinary teams have already underpinned many recent advances in immune-based therapies: we are now poised to develop several further immunotherapies and on track to test them in patients during the term of this grant.
Linking Lifestyle And Molecular Biology To Inform Precision Public Health For Major Cancers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$8,487,111.00
Summary
The Program of research seeks to increase our understanding of cancer risk. We will use our large collections of population and family-based datasets to conduct innovative analyses, improving our understanding of the roles that genetic, epigenetic and lifestyle factors play in our risk of breast, colorectal and prostate cancer. This information should allow us to better predict a person’s cancer risk, enabling public health interventions, such as screening, to be delivered more effectively and e ....The Program of research seeks to increase our understanding of cancer risk. We will use our large collections of population and family-based datasets to conduct innovative analyses, improving our understanding of the roles that genetic, epigenetic and lifestyle factors play in our risk of breast, colorectal and prostate cancer. This information should allow us to better predict a person’s cancer risk, enabling public health interventions, such as screening, to be delivered more effectively and economically to those most at risk.Read moreRead less
Hepatitis C affects a quarter of a million Australians, causing insidious but progressive liver disease which culminates in liver failure or cancer. There is no vaccine and prevention programs have limited effectiveness, but new antiviral therapies now offer high rates of cure. This Program will evaluate strategies to improve the health of those affected and prevent new infections by better understanding of the virus and the body’s immune response, including scarring and liver cancer formation.
Finding New Evidence Based Therapies For Treating Heart Disease And Stimulating Regeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$11,088,182.00
Summary
Heart disease is the leading cause of death and disability in our society. This interactive team of clinicians and basic scientists will exploit the latest advances in genome technology and stem cell biology to gain greater insights into the genetic basis of heart disease, elucidate the molecular mechanisms of cardiac function and disease and translate these insights into the development of novel therapeutic approaches for the prevention and treatment of heart disease.