Mapping Of Genetic Traits In Experimental Models Using Databases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$237,750.00
Summary
The project aims to detect genes that influence human traits. These traits could be a disease such as diabetes or they may be much less sinister, representing hearing range as an example. Many of these traits are difficult to detect because they are governed by many genes which may also interact with the environment to influence the trait. In order to detect genes in these traits we would like to simplify the complex interactions by eliminating the environment as a potential cause or concentrati ....The project aims to detect genes that influence human traits. These traits could be a disease such as diabetes or they may be much less sinister, representing hearing range as an example. Many of these traits are difficult to detect because they are governed by many genes which may also interact with the environment to influence the trait. In order to detect genes in these traits we would like to simplify the complex interactions by eliminating the environment as a potential cause or concentrating on a particular population where the incidence appears to be much greater. In human populations we have no control over the environmental exposures and we cannot restrict their movements. For this reason many genetic studies have been conducted in mice. Many strains of mice have been generated. Their environment can be strictly controlled, enabling a much better identification of disease genes. Since mice and humans share much of their genome they also share many of their genes and are often afflicted by the same diseases. Thus if we identify genes in mice we have a very good chance of identifying the equivalent human genes. The completion of sequencing for the human genome is being closely followed by the completion of the mouse genome, precisely because mice have been used for over 100 years for genetic studies. The data generated from these sequencing efforts and prior genetic studies is now accumulating in vast databases. These databases of DNA information can be used to map genes for traits. The idea is to determine the trait measurement for many mice in different strains and compare these trait levels to the DNA state (genotype) of markers in the genome of the strains. If these are associated it indicates that the marker is situated close to a gene influencing the trait. This narrows the search considerably. Without this strategy we would have the daunting task of identifiying trait genes from many thousands of potential candidates.Read moreRead less
Good Spirit Good Life: Better Health And Wellbeing For Older Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Australians
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,500,000.00
Summary
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are living to older ages, with numbers of older people expected to double by 2026. Respecting and supporting this population to age well is vital, yet the challenges and impacts of meeting these needs are poorly understood. This world first Good Spirit Good Life Centre for Research Excellence, will deliver the evidence needed to improve health and wellbeing of this group and build the capability of services and systems that support them as they age.
Improving The Safety Of Implantable Medical Devices
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$775,924.00
Summary
Medical devices provide benefits but also have the potential to cause harm. Large amounts of data exist on medical devices after they have entered the market, but methods for analysing the data and rapidly detecting safety issues are lacking. The aim of the research is to improve the safety of implantable medical devices by using novel methods on existing data sources to develop an efficient and accurate post-market surveillance system.
Matching Between Codon Usage And TRNA Abundance Determines The Expression Of Targeting Genes In Mammalian Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$358,500.00
Summary
This proposal is about optimal production of protein drugs (biopharmaceuticals), using genetic engineering in the laboratory and gene therapy in patients. It will explore the science behind a novel observation that the optimal way to use the genetic code to encode proteins for production varies from cell to cell in the lab, and from tissue to tissue in patients. If successful, a simple test can be used to decide the optimal genetic code for a specific application.
This project will investigate how policies to fund certain health interventions, effect the utilisation, quality and efficiency of the wider health system. This fellow will work with one of the world’s most comprehensive population level databases to: (1) assess how health systems react to different funding policies; (2) develop a measurement framework to capture the diverse effects of these policies on complex systems; and (3) evaluate how this approach improves the ‘health’ of health systems.
Harnessing Multiple Large Datasets To Answer Critical Questions On Diabetes Epidemiology
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,370.00
Summary
This proposal will examine novel causes and consequences of diabetes using three approaches. Firstly, it will examine diabetes trends. Secondly, it will use the Australian Diabetes Registry linked to several key government database to explore important research questions, related to diabetes treatment, dementia and endstage kidney disease, which previously were not able to be answered. Thirdly, it will examine the role of environmental pollutants in the development of chronic disease.
CLOSING THE GAP IN EARLY DIAGNOSTIC CAPABILITIES FOR MYCOSES - DNA BARCODING TO COMBAT AN EMERGING GLOBAL HEALTH PROBLEM
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$753,447.00
Summary
Fungal infections are a major health threat with high mortality and costs. Fast identification of a causative agent is required to initiate correct treatment to maximise disease outcome. Short DNA sequences – DNA barcodes – offer a fast accurate identification. This grant sets out to establish a dual-locus barcode scheme, build a reference database, adapt the scheme to new sequencing technologies and to facilitate sequence-based fungal identification in the routine diagnostic laboratory.
An Indigenous Australian Reference Genome: Indigenous Inclusion In The Benefits Of Genomic Medicine
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,428,508.00
Summary
This project will establish an Indigenous Australian reference genome (the NCIGrg) within the National Centre for Indigenous Genomics (NCIG) using advanced genome sequencing technologies and data analytics and evaluate its research and clinical utility. The NCIGrg will be cornerstone of future genomic research and its clinical application in Indigenous communities. It will underpin NCIG’s commitment to ensuring that Indigenous Australians are included in the benefits of genomic medicine.
Evaluation Of An Online Injury Surveillance System In Community Sport
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$60,741.00
Summary
Despite high rates of injury, there is currently no way to accurately record injuries in community sport. To address this issue an online injury tracking system has been developed for community sports clubs. This research will test the utility of this system within community Australian football clubs and compare it with other injury recording methods. With better methods of injury recording, we will improve our understanding of injury risks. In turn, this information can be used to make sport sa ....Despite high rates of injury, there is currently no way to accurately record injuries in community sport. To address this issue an online injury tracking system has been developed for community sports clubs. This research will test the utility of this system within community Australian football clubs and compare it with other injury recording methods. With better methods of injury recording, we will improve our understanding of injury risks. In turn, this information can be used to make sport safer.Read moreRead less