Improving The Synthesis Of Medical Research: The Evidence Synthesis Taxonomy Initiative
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
People who make decisions regarding the health of individuals or a society need trustworthy information to support these decisions, whether they be about the effectiveness of a strategy, the burden of a disease, the accuracy of a medical investigation or the preferences and values of a population. To produce trustworthy evidence, we need to collate and synthesise all of the information available. This work will improve the science behind evidence synthesis and the quality of evidence synthesis.
Transforming Approaches To Chronic Disease Prevention In Community Settings
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,738,220.00
Summary
Chronic disease is the leading cause of death in Australia. Research has identified a number of interventions to prevent chronic disease. However, most of these are impractical, difficult to implement and so have little impact in improving community health. In this research program I will generate evidence that is relevant for policy makers and practitioners, identifying effective interventions that can feasibly be delivered, and effective approaches to implement them in community settings.
Improving Outcome For People With Heart Diseases Using Digital Health Technologies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$606,009.00
Summary
Digital technologies such as smart phones, wearable devices, sensors and artificial intelligence have shown promise to improve human health. However, evidence that these technologies can improve health outcomes in people with heart disease is lacking. My program of research in digital health will address this need and develop new model-of-care for people with heart disease to better monitor their health, take action before their health deteriorates and provide much needed support at home.
Cancer is now the leading cause of death in our community. Dramatic progress in genomic technologies is impacting on cancer treatment and risk management internationally. My vision is an Australian Genomic Cancer Medicine Program (AGCMP), uniting than 15 cancer centres and three major medical research institutes in all states and territories, and bringing genomics through research into the clinic to improve health outcomes for all Australians.
Pathogenic Repeat Expansions In Ataxia: Advancing Gene Discovery And Genetic Diagnosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
Hereditary ataxia is a severe neurological disorder that results in impaired coordination and balance and affects 1 in 20,000 Australians. Ataxias are often caused by complex genetic mutations called repeat expansions (RE), which are difficult to detect. Therefore, genetic diagnosis of ataxia remains limited and poorly accessible, leading to a gap in clinical care. In this study, we will utilise modern advances in genetic sequencing technology to diagnose and discover ataxias caused by REs.
Pain is a prevalent condition and a major cause of disease burden. The research program will address important questions in the clinical management of pain to reduce its the enormous burden. The program will: 1) investigate whether opioid medicines and oral steroids are effective in treating acute low back pain and neck pain, and sciatica, and 2) assess and improve the appropriate use of strong pain medicines in primary care.
Motor Impairment: Physiology, Pathophysiology And Intervention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,814,215.00
Summary
It is very common to get Motor Impairments in many diseases and disorders, such as stroke and multiple sclerosis, and even with ageing. These affect our ability to move and function properly. I will use multidisciplinary expertise in basic, applied and clinical science to answer key questions about mechanisms and management of the Motor Impairments of weakness and fatigue, impaired sensation and balance, and muscle contracture. Results will be rapidly applied in clinical populations.
Overcoming The Barriers To Treatment Of Multi-drug Resistant Gram-negative Bloodstream Infections In Australian Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$447,603.00
Summary
There is a critical need to develop new treatments for children with antibiotic resistant infections. The most important bacteria causing resistant infections are known as Gram-negative bacteria. Doctors treating children with resistant Gram-negative infections are faced with few antibiotic options. This project will discover the most important resistant infections in Australian children, and trial a new antibiotic to help doctors to use it in the right children and at the right dose.
Healthy Diet And Weight Management In Pregnancy: Evidence To Ease A Hefty Clinical Burden.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,705,260.00
Summary
Approximately 50% of women are overweight or obese on entering pregnancy, placing women at increased risk of well documented pregnancy complications. This proposal will: 1) Translate RCT evidence into clinical practice to provide dietary advice for pregnant women 2) Address why pregnancy interventions have not impacted weight gain despite improved maternal diet 3) Consider the key features of an intervention before conception 4) Evaluate a pilot RCT weight loss intervention
Many cancers shed small amounts of DNA (circulating tumour DNA or ctDNA) into the patient’s bloodstream. Recent technological advances now allow levels of ctDNA to be accurately measured in the blood. Changes in ctDNA levels have potential to be used as specific markers of disease progression and/or response to cancer therapy. This research will advance the use of ctDNA to serially follow patients and individualise treatment decisions in cancer management across several cancer types.