Prof. Simes will lead and develop research at the NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre in collaboration with major national and international cooperative groups. Research themes include integrating molecular science with trial design and embedding research routinely in health care. Projects include surgery for rectal cancer; novel targeted therapy in gastric cancer; aspirin to prevent colon cancer; placental transfusion for preterm babies; risk in heart disease; economic assessment of clinical trials.
The identification, prevention and management of chronic disease risk factors and understanding impact on clinical outcomes is fundamental to improving health and well-being. The program of work encapsulated in this application utilises a number of research methods to advance our understanding and provide new directions for cardiovascular disease prevention and management.
Meta-research: Using Research To Increase The Value Of Health And Medical Research
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,370.00
Summary
Improving the return on investment in health and medical research will produce more and faster discoveries that enhance the lives of all Australians. Many problems in the research process are well known and have been pervasive for decades. I will use the research process to improve the research process. I will improve Australia's health and medical research workforce and the quality of the research they produce, creating benefits in multiple fields that last long into the future.
Computational Approaches To Making Sense Of Cancer -omics Data
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$706,370.00
Summary
Evolution is a hallmark of cancer. It underlies tumorigenesis, metastasis, disease progression, the emergence of drug resistance, and patient death. My research will develop the essential bioinformatics methods and computational models to understand cancer evolution using -omics data, and apply these to discover the molecular mechanisms that cause complex genome rearrangements; investigate the evolution of advanced melanoma; and translate our tools and discoveries into the clinical setting.
Improving Translation Of Evidence Into Practice For Musculoskeletal Conditions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$948,684.00
Summary
Musculoskeletal conditions place a huge burden on the world’s population. Yet current trials in this field may not reflect priorities based upon this burden and few trials address well-recognised evidence-practice gaps. My fellowship will aim to transform the current ad hoc approach to Australian musculoskeletal clinical trials. It will identify the most critical unanswered questions, formulate a national research agenda, and identify best methods for optimising uptake of findings into practice.
This is an application for reappointment as a Principal Research Fellow. My primary area of research is preclinical studies of addiction, with a particular emphasis on relapse. I am increasingly engaged in translational studies.
We have entered an era where it is now possible to sequence an individual's genetic blueprint. In the case of cancer this can be used to determine the genetic damage that has occurred in cancer cells. This fellowship seeks to carry out large scale sequencing of cancer patient and map out the genetic damage that is common to get a handle on what drives the disease. It will also investigate how personalized mutation detection might improve cancer treatment selection for individual patients.
Diabetes And Obesity: From Benchtop To Public Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$705,501.00
Summary
Obesity. Novel factors, not related to food intake or physical activity, will be explored as possible causes of obesity. The obesity paradox, in which overweight is associated with reduced mortality, will be examined. Diabetes treatment. Methods will be developed to predict which is the right drug for each individual patient. A study will test the use of nurse-led clinics. A novel insulin delivery mechanism will be developed. Novel causes and consequences of diabetes will be explored.
Delivering On The GWAS Promise: From Genetic Discoveries To Novel Drug Targets For Asthma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$697,605.00
Summary
The aim of this study is to identify new drug targets for asthma. This is important because for 6 in 10 asthma patients, current treatments do not adequately control disease symptoms and so these individuals are at a higher risk of having severe exacerbations. I propose that identifying asthma risk genes represents our best chance to identify novel drug targets for asthma. In this study, I will identify new asthma risk genes and test whether blocking these genes can alleviate disease symptoms.
Platelets are key blood elements that are essential for the prevention of bleeding in response to injury or infection. Overactive or spontaneously active platelets cause thrombosis and blood clot formation. My laboratory has identified new physiological pathways of activation of platelet metalloproteinases, the enzymes that regulate surface levels of the prothrombotic platelet receptors. By understanding this mechanism of receptor regulation, we can uniquely target platelet receptors in people w ....Platelets are key blood elements that are essential for the prevention of bleeding in response to injury or infection. Overactive or spontaneously active platelets cause thrombosis and blood clot formation. My laboratory has identified new physiological pathways of activation of platelet metalloproteinases, the enzymes that regulate surface levels of the prothrombotic platelet receptors. By understanding this mechanism of receptor regulation, we can uniquely target platelet receptors in people with prothrombotic pathologies.Read moreRead less