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Effect Of A Personalised Oral Health Education Programme On Clinical And Molecular Risk Factors For At-risk Populations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$149,900.00
Summary
Recently, a number of studies have shown that poor oral health may impact on general health. However, for many Australians on low incomes, the only dental care they receive is of an emergency nature due to the long waiting lists in the public sector. The current study proposes to look at whether an oral health education program delivered by allied oral health professionals will result in a significant improvement in oral health which in turn will lead to better oral and general health outcomes i ....Recently, a number of studies have shown that poor oral health may impact on general health. However, for many Australians on low incomes, the only dental care they receive is of an emergency nature due to the long waiting lists in the public sector. The current study proposes to look at whether an oral health education program delivered by allied oral health professionals will result in a significant improvement in oral health which in turn will lead to better oral and general health outcomes in a low socio-economic communityRead moreRead less
Transforming Growth Factor Beta Signalling In Malignant Mesothelioma Growth And Collagen Production
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$509,917.00
Summary
Many cancers contain abundant connective tissue molecules called extracellular matrix (ECM) and data show that interaction of ECM with cells are important in the growth of cancers (1). Changes in expression of ECM and their receptors (integrins) have been associated with malignant changes in cells, enhanced tumour growth and resistance to chemotherapy (2,3). We have recently shown that inhibition of collagen, the most abundant ECM molecule produced by malignant mesothelioma (MM) cells, reduced M ....Many cancers contain abundant connective tissue molecules called extracellular matrix (ECM) and data show that interaction of ECM with cells are important in the growth of cancers (1). Changes in expression of ECM and their receptors (integrins) have been associated with malignant changes in cells, enhanced tumour growth and resistance to chemotherapy (2,3). We have recently shown that inhibition of collagen, the most abundant ECM molecule produced by malignant mesothelioma (MM) cells, reduced MM growth. How cancer cells regulate ECM production and control their growth is unclear but strong evidence suggests the growth factor transforming growth factor-beta (TGFB) plays an important role. We and others showed that MM cells secrete all forms (1-3) of TGFB, and TGFB1,2-like activity has been reported in pleural effusions from MM (4,5). All TGFB forms stimulate MM cells to grow and make ECM (6,7). We showed that high levels of collagen produced by MM are enhanced by TGFB. Small molecules called antisense oligonucleotides (AO) which blocked production of TGFB2 by cells, reduced MM cell growth in soft agar, a characteristic of cancer, and partially blocked MM growth in animal models (4,6). This was supported by studies using soluble TGFB type II receptors, which blocks TGFB1,3 (8), and our studies using TGFB2 specific antibodies, as both studies reduced tumour growth. These findings support a role for TGFB in MM growth. However, all TGFB forms can promote cell grow and collagen synthesis and therefore ways to block all TGFB forms are required to ensure maximal effect. This study will examine the effect of blocking common downstream signalling pathways of all three TGFB isoforms on MM collagen production and tumour growth. These pathways are activated when TGFB binds to its receptors sending messages to the nucleus of the cell to make collagen or grow. By identifying which TGFB signalling pathway is important, we may be able to design novel therapeutic approaches to help treat patients with this disease.Read moreRead less
Thai Health-risk Transition: A National Cohort Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,231,214.00
Summary
Thailand's disease patterns are changing. Some changes are good but others, like emerging diabetes, heart disease and injuries, are of concern. Development-related 'health transition' can be optimised if there is information on new causes of disease - immediate risk factors, and 'upstream' economic, cultural and environmental influences. The team will study this health-risk transition in the whole Thai population - looking back 50 years, then forwards in 100,000 Sukothai Thammathirat Open Univer ....Thailand's disease patterns are changing. Some changes are good but others, like emerging diabetes, heart disease and injuries, are of concern. Development-related 'health transition' can be optimised if there is information on new causes of disease - immediate risk factors, and 'upstream' economic, cultural and environmental influences. The team will study this health-risk transition in the whole Thai population - looking back 50 years, then forwards in 100,000 Sukothai Thammathirat Open University students living all over Thailand and followed for four years. The team will map changing risks and upstream influences, produce information for Thai preventive programs, boost regional research capacity, create a regional partnership, and support PhD and postdoctoral training.Read moreRead less
Analysis Of The Effectiveness Of A Simple, Inexpensive, Saliva-based Caries-risk Test
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$29,688.00
Summary
The project aims to develop a test with the capacity to identify children at risk of developing caries (dental decay) so they can benefit from preventive care. The effectiveness of the test will be assessed by how well it correlates with currently available tests and whether it can predict caries development in children classified into risk groups on the basis of the test. The test promises to be predictive of caries-risk, inexpensive, easy to interpret and rapid when compared to those currently ....The project aims to develop a test with the capacity to identify children at risk of developing caries (dental decay) so they can benefit from preventive care. The effectiveness of the test will be assessed by how well it correlates with currently available tests and whether it can predict caries development in children classified into risk groups on the basis of the test. The test promises to be predictive of caries-risk, inexpensive, easy to interpret and rapid when compared to those currently available commercially.Read moreRead less
Molecular Epidemiology Of Infection In Aboriginal Communities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$149,103.00
Summary
Destructive diseases of the gum tissue are known to be profoundly affected by modifying factors including systemic diseases such as diabetes, socio-economic conditions and the lack of effective control of microbial accumulation at the gum margin. This investigation will examine the hypothesis that a limited number of pathogenic bacterial strains, defined by quantitative molecular probe analysis, persist in or re-infect individuals to maintain a high disease burden in the presence of adverse modi ....Destructive diseases of the gum tissue are known to be profoundly affected by modifying factors including systemic diseases such as diabetes, socio-economic conditions and the lack of effective control of microbial accumulation at the gum margin. This investigation will examine the hypothesis that a limited number of pathogenic bacterial strains, defined by quantitative molecular probe analysis, persist in or re-infect individuals to maintain a high disease burden in the presence of adverse modifying factors that prevail in isolated, disadvantaged Aboriginal communities.Read moreRead less
Better Targeting Of Preventive Services Using Epidemiological Modelling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,951,463.00
Summary
The purpose of this program of research is to improve the effectiveness of chronic disease prevention in Australia. The focus is to develop epidemiological models that can assist policy-makers to make more informed choices of which preventive programs to fund, improve the ability of clinicians to provide accurate preventive advice and to increase the ability of consumers to make decisions about preventive activities (that may relate to themselves or their communities). Australian population tren ....The purpose of this program of research is to improve the effectiveness of chronic disease prevention in Australia. The focus is to develop epidemiological models that can assist policy-makers to make more informed choices of which preventive programs to fund, improve the ability of clinicians to provide accurate preventive advice and to increase the ability of consumers to make decisions about preventive activities (that may relate to themselves or their communities). Australian population trends over coming years will be dominated by increasing numbers of elderly and a continuing increase in average lifespan. A priority for preventive healthcare is to maintain the elderly in a healthy active state, free of chronic disease, for as long as possible. Options to achieve this are increasing but vary in terms of likely effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. Since many of the costs and benefits of preventive programs occur beyond the time-scale of major intervention trials, the prediction of long-term benefits requires the integration of information from multiple sources including trials, epidemiological studies, risk-factor surveys and demography through a process referred to as epidemiological modelling. This project has major relevance to consumers, allied health professionals and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. One outcome of the project will be to allow consumers to make informed decisions about their preventive health care and will assist allied health professionals providing preventive advice to patients. These include occupational health nurses, health promotion officers, Aboriginal health workers and nurse practitioners.Read moreRead less