Genotypes And Phenotypes Of Human Primary Non-congenital Antibody Deficiency
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$544,692.00
Summary
Antibodies represent a key component of the immune system, and a particularly important in defence against bacterial and viral infections. In some individuals, antibody production fails, rendering them more susceptible to infection. In most cases, the mechanism of antibody failure is unknown. This project seeks to determine the genetic and cellular mechanisms of antibody failure. This could improve diagnosis for immune deficiency, and improve our overall understanding of the immune system.
Cancer And Low-dose Radiation - Possible Effects Of CT Scans In Childhood
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$476,650.00
Summary
Despite 100 years of research there is uncertainty about effects of low dose radiation from background and medical X-rays. We will measure the incidence of cancer in Australians exposed to CT scans (medical X-rays) as children between 1985 and 2005. Our results, from follow-up to 2009, will show whether there is a small but signicantly increased risk of cancer and guide further improvement in radiation safety standards if these prove to be necessary.
Microevolution And Transmission Of MRSA In A Hospital Setting
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$623,300.00
Summary
Multi-drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) cause hospital-acquired infections and are responsible for unnecessary illness and excess health costs. It is hard to identify how different strains spread and which are most likely to cause disease, without a rapid, simple fingerprinting system. We have developed one, which we will use to identify the most _successful� MRSA strains. Then we will sequence their whole genomes, to determine why they are _successful� to devise ways to combat them.
Molecular Classification Of Carcinoma Of Unknown Primary
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$418,250.00
Summary
Carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP) is the fourth largest cause of cancer death. The condition has a particularly poor outlook, with a median survival of less than one year. Current methods for diagnosis of CUP include histopathology and sophisticated imaging. These are successful in approximately 40% of cases. Frequently the reason for the poor outcome in this disease is that the 60% of patients with CUP for whom no diagnosis is made do not benefit from chemotherapy specifically designed for a p ....Carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP) is the fourth largest cause of cancer death. The condition has a particularly poor outlook, with a median survival of less than one year. Current methods for diagnosis of CUP include histopathology and sophisticated imaging. These are successful in approximately 40% of cases. Frequently the reason for the poor outcome in this disease is that the 60% of patients with CUP for whom no diagnosis is made do not benefit from chemotherapy specifically designed for a particular tumour origin. These patients receive a less effective, generic, chemotherapy. The aim of this project is to use microarrays to identify the gene expression profile in many known tumours to create a molecular fingerprint of the various tumour types. By comparing the fingerprint from a CUP with the database we should be able to identify the true tumour type in CUP, and allow patients to benefit from more specific chemotherapy.Read moreRead less
Calling The Tune? Investigating Corporate Influences On Media Reporting Of Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$462,016.00
Summary
This project will examine and evaluate the relationships between Australian journalists and health-related industries (pharmaceutical, medical devices-diagnostics, complementary medicines, food and alcohol) in order to determine the extent to which, and ways in which, these relationships influence the health-related information received by health professionals and the Australian public. The project aims to inform strategies to improve industry and journalistic policy and practices.
Identification Of Critical Regulatory Elements In The BRCA1 Gene
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$227,036.00
Summary
Breast cancer affects approximately one in ten women and is therefore a major health problem. In order to improve the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of this disease, it is critical to understand the molecular defects that contribute to disease initiation and progression. Over the last twenty years significant progress has been made in this regard, however there still remain a considerable number of unanswered questions. For example, it is not yet clear precisely what contribution each of the ....Breast cancer affects approximately one in ten women and is therefore a major health problem. In order to improve the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of this disease, it is critical to understand the molecular defects that contribute to disease initiation and progression. Over the last twenty years significant progress has been made in this regard, however there still remain a considerable number of unanswered questions. For example, it is not yet clear precisely what contribution each of these genes makes. This is largely due to limitations in current mutation detection strategies and an incomplete understanding of all of the genetic elements for which disruption can lead to loss of gene function. This propsal aims to identify all of the genetic elements critical for the expression of an important breast cancer gene called BRCA1. Furthermore, it aims to determine the status of these elements in breast cancer patients, thus expanding our knowledge of the actual contribution disruption of this gene makes to this disease.Read moreRead less
A Prospective Study To Identify The Mechanical Causes And Methods For Early Detection Of Knee Osteoarthritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$431,000.00
Summary
Knee osteoarthritis is a great cost to society, financially and in quality of life. Anti-inflammatory drugs are commonly used to treat the symptoms, but many people receive joint replacements to stop pain and improve function. We need to prevent osteoarthritis, but the causes for this common disease are largely unknown. Animal studies have shown two particular mechanical factors that cause osteoarthritis, which are seen in the walking and running, or gait, patterns of some people. We call these ....Knee osteoarthritis is a great cost to society, financially and in quality of life. Anti-inflammatory drugs are commonly used to treat the symptoms, but many people receive joint replacements to stop pain and improve function. We need to prevent osteoarthritis, but the causes for this common disease are largely unknown. Animal studies have shown two particular mechanical factors that cause osteoarthritis, which are seen in the walking and running, or gait, patterns of some people. We call these pathological gait patterns as they impose larger-than-normal forces on the knee's articular surfaces. We measure these knee forces with our new computer knee model coupled with data that we measure in a gait analysis laboratory. These forces may cause knee osteoarthritis in humans, but this is still unknown. Currently there is no simple medical test to detect the early onset of knee osteoarthritis. The bones in the knee are one of the first structures to show osteoarthritic changes. Using our new computerised analysis of high definition X-ray of the knee we can identify subtle differences in the knee due to osteoarthritis. This will be compared with changes to joint assessed using MRI. Osteoarthritis develops slowly in normal people, so to study progression of knee osteoarthritis we need a human population that has a higher risk of developing the disease. Partial meniscectomy in the knee is a common surgery performed to improve knee function in those who have suffered a knee meniscus injury. However, partial meniscectomy patients have a high risk of developing knee osteoarthritis. Therefore, using partial meniscectomy patients we are investigating if pathological gait patterns cause knee osteoarthritis, measuring the development of the disease with our new X-ray methods. With the gait analysis methods we can also identify the movements that characterise these pathological gait patterns so we can formulate rehabilitation programmes to help prevent knee osteoarthritis.Read moreRead less