Accelerating Paediatric Cancer Precision Medicine With Mass Spectrometry-based Proteomics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$79,041.00
Summary
The Zero Childhood Cancer (ZERO) Program measures the DNA and RNA in individual cancer samples and then recommends a unique treatment plan for each child. In this study, we will measure the proteome (ie the set of proteins) in ~100 ZERO cancer samples at the Children's Medical Research Institute's ProCan. The goal of this project is to assess the value of protein data for informing drug treatment recommendations and finding new drug targets for children diagnosed with a cancer of poor prognosis.
Biosensor Based Clinical-decision Support For Patients With Heart Failure
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$691,933.00
Summary
Heart Failure (HF) is a progressive disease and a major global public health concern. HF accounts for a substantial number of hospitalisations, major healthcare resource utilisation and costs. We aim to engineer biosensor platform to stratify the risk in HF patients will revolutionise current management of HF by providing the cardiologist information to risk stratify patients based on protein signature. This will lead to a substantial paradigm shift in clinical practice.
Serum Neurofilament Light As A Biomarker To Improve Management Of Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,092,781.00
Summary
There is increasing awareness that mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs), such as concussions, can lead to persistent or permanent neurological symptoms. Nonetheless, the identification and management of mTBIs remains notoriously difficult. In this proposal, we will assess exactly how a novel blood test can be implemented to assist in mTBI diagnosis, and the identification and management of individuals at risk of suffering persistent or chronic neurological problems.
Precision Molecular Diagnostics Of Single Cells By Imaging Flow Cytometry
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$875,110.00
Summary
We have invented a highly sensitive, new method to count and evaluate chromosomes inside cancer cells. With this world-first method we can detect abnormal chromosomes when fewer than 1 cell in 1,000 is affected. We will refine the method for assessment of blood cancers and chromosome disorders such as trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome), and commence pre-clinical testing. This is a critical step towards translating this methodology into a validated test to significantly benefit human health.
DImensional Attention MOdelling For Neglect Detection (DIAMOND): A Novel Application For Brain Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$513,483.00
Summary
One in three people experience neglect disorder after brain injury, where half of their visual world appears missing. Neglect is a persistent and distressing cognitive problem impacting all aspects of daily life, and is typically under-diagnosed and poorly treated. We have built a novel 3D technology platform for precision detection of neglect, and for informing personalised treatment options. This systematic feasibility project will establish early evidence for advanced neglect assessment.
Imaging, Fluid And Genetic Markers Of Alzheimer's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,519,004.00
Summary
Markers of pathology and inflammation are useful tools for the diagnosis and staging of neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. This approach will deepen our basic understanding of this disease, improving early detection and prediction of cognitive impairment. This work will make possible more accurate diagnosis, and improved monitoring of therapeutic interventions.
Identifying The Optimal Age To Apply Physical Activity Interventions To Improve Heart Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$852,804.00
Summary
By performing sophisticated, novel and sensitive measurements on the heart at age 30 and linking these to richly characterised historical data, we will determine whether there is an optimal age to apply physical activity interventions to improve adult heart health. This is possible using data collected from 18 weeks pregnancy through to adulthood in ~3,000 Australians. This study will inform policy and interventions to reduce heart disease; the single biggest cause of mortality in Australia.
A Novel Interaction Between The Immune And Vascular Systems In Early-onset Preeclampsia; An Opportunity For New Treatments?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$921,623.00
Summary
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication that leads to poor birth outcomes and elevated lifelong cardiovascular disease risk in 4 million women each year. It has no cure and treatments are limited because the causal mechanisms are not understood. We have identified a specialised immune cell in the mother's blood that assists blood vessels to function properly in pregnancy. We will assess whether interventions to enhance these cells can improve poor blood vessel function and pregnancy outcomes.