Assessing Vaccine Effectiveness Of Publicly Funded Vaccination Programs In Queensland
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$99,883.00
Summary
I will measure how well three vaccines on the national immunisation schedule prevent disease in Queensland. Pertussis (whooping cough), rotavirus, and varicella (chicken-pox) vaccines will be assessed using routinely collected health data, such as disease notifications and hospitalisations, and vaccination data. The findings of this research will contribute to evaluating the effectiveness of these publicly funded vaccination programs and will provide an evidence base for future decision-making.
Understanding Influenza-specific T Cell Immunity In The Indigenous And Non-Indigenous Populations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$49,202.00
Summary
Hospitalisation and mortality rates from influenza are high in the Indigenous population. There is an urgent need for one-shot universal vaccine that protects against seasonal and pandemic strains. To identify potential vaccine targets we firstly have to determine which viral proteins will induce a large protective immune response. These responses vary between ethnicities thus comparisons will be drawn between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians to determine multiple vaccine candidates tha ....Hospitalisation and mortality rates from influenza are high in the Indigenous population. There is an urgent need for one-shot universal vaccine that protects against seasonal and pandemic strains. To identify potential vaccine targets we firstly have to determine which viral proteins will induce a large protective immune response. These responses vary between ethnicities thus comparisons will be drawn between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians to determine multiple vaccine candidates that will be protective across ethnicities.Read moreRead less
A vaccine against the bacteria Group A streptococcus (‘strep’) could prevent common minor infections like sore throat and school sores as well as deadly ones like necrotising fasciitis (‘flesh eating disease’). It would also reduce long-term heart (rheumatic heart disease) and kidney problems. We are going to try and deliberately give a sore throat to adult volunteers under very close medical supervision so that we can learn more about immunity to strep and to help make and test new vaccines.
Severe Influenza: Epidemiology, Clinical Aspects & Public Health Responses
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$120,659.00
Summary
The 2009 flu pandemic exposed gaps in Australia's surveillance & public health policies. Using a hospital surveillance system (FluCAN) set up after the emergence of the pandemic virus, I will assess epidemiological, clinical & public health aspects of influenza to answer questions such as: what is the effectiveness of the influenza immunisation program? What is the burden of disease of severe influenza? Which forms of surveillance are best for different settings in Australia & in Asia-Pacific?
Adaptive Immunity To Non-typeable H. Influenzae In Children With Bronchiectasis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$81,143.00
Summary
Bronchiectasis is a chronic disease of the lungs which affects at least 1 in 68 NT Indigenous children. It causes recurring lung infections, hospitalisations and deteriorating lung function. This study will provide important data on the immune response of Indigenous children to NTHi, the most important pathogen associated with chronic respiratory infections and why this immune response is not protective. This is the first step in targeting therapies to the prevention of bronchiectasis.
Big Data To Inform The Impact Of Antibiotics And Proton Pump Inhibitors On Immunotherapies Used To Treat Lung Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$115,883.00
Summary
Antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) affect gut bacteria health. Gut bacteria are involved in the function of the immune system and potentially the effectiveness of immunotherapies. However, the impact of antibiotics and PPIs on the efficacy of immunotherapies is unknown. Newly available big data will be used to determine the impacts of antibiotics and PPIs on immunotherapy efficacy, informing on the best cancer treatments to use in patients who require antibiotics or PPIs.
This project aims to comprehensively evaluate the role of androgen receptor (AR) signalling in breast cancer by identifying changes in AR signalling and its role in an endocrine resistant setting. Understanding the changes in AR signalling in either treatment-naive or treatment-resistant context would better assist in the identification for opportunities to modulate AR signalling as a therapeutic target in breast cancer.
Indwelling Pleural Catheter For Management Of Cancer-related Pleural Effusions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$123,688.00
Summary
Most cancers can be complicated by fluid accumulation (effusion) in the (pleural) cavity between the lung and chest wall, causing significant breathlessness. Indwelling pleural catheter (IPC) is a new method that allows patients to drain the effusion outside the hospital and avoid further invasive interventions. This study aims to provide important information that will help guide use of IPC and manage its complications, especially infection, improve patient outcomes and save healthcare costs.
Understanding The Clinical Significance Of Tumour Genomic Architecture And Host Immune Response In Breast Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$94,732.00
Summary
This study uses sophisticated DNA sequencing technologies to help patients and their doctors better understand and treat breast cancer. It also tries to understand how the cancer DNA may change over time, and if this is important to how the cancer is treated. In addition, it looks for a link between the DNA changes in a tumour and the anti-tumour immune response, which may help identify patients that could benefit from immunotherapy in the future.