Airway fibrosis or scaring causes significant morbidity in both chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma . These diseases affect 10-15% of the population, and cost the health system $1.15 billion per year. Airway fibrosis is not decreased by the current therapeutics used to treat COPD and asthma, and as such there is a pressing need to develop therapeutics to specifically treat airway fibrosis. Dr Brian Oliver has partnered with Pharmaxis to develop new therapeutics to specificall ....Airway fibrosis or scaring causes significant morbidity in both chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma . These diseases affect 10-15% of the population, and cost the health system $1.15 billion per year. Airway fibrosis is not decreased by the current therapeutics used to treat COPD and asthma, and as such there is a pressing need to develop therapeutics to specifically treat airway fibrosis. Dr Brian Oliver has partnered with Pharmaxis to develop new therapeutics to specifically treat fibrosisRead moreRead less
Telemonitoring Of Lung Function Variability In Asthma And Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,180.00
Summary
In Australia, asthma is highly prevalent, while chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is the fourth leading cause of male deaths; both are a significant burden on the health system. There are currently no objective ways to assess disease status or future risk of deterioration. I aim to use home telemonitoring technology and novel, sophisticated analysis methods to describe the variability of disease over time and potentially change the way we manage chronic lung diseases.
Airway scarring, or airway fibrosis, is a pathological process by which the airway tissue is progressively replaced with scar tissue. This change makes it difficult for people to breathe. I have developed novel in-vitro models which enables us to understand why fibrosis is occurring, and in my research fellowship I aim to uncover new ways of treating fibrosis in lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Structural And Mechanical Determinants Of Airway Hyperresponsiveness
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,219.00
Summary
In asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the capacity for airway passages to narrow is increased which limits airflow in and out of the lung and contributes to disease severity. The aim of this project is to identify the underlying physiological abnormalities producing the increased narrowing capacity. The investigations will focus on the role of the airway smooth muscle and epithelial layers that are widely implicated in driving the increased narrowing response, but for which the ev ....In asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the capacity for airway passages to narrow is increased which limits airflow in and out of the lung and contributes to disease severity. The aim of this project is to identify the underlying physiological abnormalities producing the increased narrowing capacity. The investigations will focus on the role of the airway smooth muscle and epithelial layers that are widely implicated in driving the increased narrowing response, but for which the evidence remains circumstantial.Read moreRead less
Optimising Asthma Management In Pregnancy For Optimal Infant Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$428,065.00
Summary
Asthma affects 12% of pregnant women in Australia. These women are at increased risk of poor pregnancy outcomes, such as preterm birth and hospitalisation of the neonate. Reducing asthma attacks by providing optimal asthma management during pregnancy may lower these risks. This research will test whether a strategy which determines treatment changes based on a marker of airway inflammation, improves outcomes for maternal, neonatal and child health.
Immune Balance-regulating Interleukins As Targets For Immunotherapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$473,477.00
Summary
The immune balance is crucial to human health. Interleukins are a group of proteins secreted by immune cells to mediate their communication. They tune up or down immune responses, thus as attractive targets for immunotherapy to restore the immune balance to treat autoimmune diseases, allergies and infections. This fellowship will support translational research to develop Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-21-based novel immunotherapies for autoimmune disease, infection and allergy.
Developing The Epidemiological Evidence Base For Eczema Prevention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$476,728.00
Summary
Eczema, food allergy, asthma and hay-fever are all common conditions that are a substantial burden for individuals and families. To prevent them, we need to know their causes, but these are not yet well understood. We need better studies to identify what is causing our children to develop these allergic diseases, and rigorous studies to prevent them. In this fellowship, I will explore the causes and consequences of these conditions and test ways to prevent children from developing them.