Gestational diabetes is an important medical condition. We plan to investigate two subgroups of women with gestational diabetes. Firstly, women who have diabetes antibodies in pregnancy. Secondly, women who have a mild form of diabetes caused by a single gene mutation, who may be first identified during pregnancy. Correct identification of these subgroups of women is important for immediate and long-term management of both the mother and her fetus.
Models And Quality Of Genetic Health Services For Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander People
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$351,240.00
Summary
Genetic health services are playing an increasingly important role in improving human health. Aboriginal people are underrepresented in such services despite a higher prevalence of a number of genetically determined conditions and evidence of willingness to access these services. Our grant will inform the development of effective models of genetic health service provision for Aboriginal people. This will improve health equity both now and in the future.
Psychosocial Implications Of Genetic Counselling And Testing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$443,946.00
Summary
I am a psychologist by background, and my research program focuses on the psychological impact of genetic counselling and testing for adult-onset disorders, in particular cancer susceptibility; psychological adjustment of those at risk for adult-onset disorders; and the design and evaluation of interventions in the genetic counselling setting, in particular the use of decision aids as an innovative means of patient education.
Most eye diseases have a genetic contribution, whether rare disorders affecting children such as retinoblastoma or congenital cataracts through to common disorders of older people such as myopia, age-related macular degeneration or glaucoma. We will continue our successful research to find genes that cause these diseases and use this to improve patient care and prevent blindness. We will work out how families can use this genetic information to participate in trials to develop new treatments.
Sensitive, Rapid And Accurate Detection Of The Emergence Of Neuraminidase Inhibitor Resistance By Real-time PCR, LCR And
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$118,875.00
Summary
An influenza pandemic causing by highly pathogenic H5N1 virus may occur in the near future. As a vaccine for H5N1 will not be available in the foreseeable months, antiviral drugs are the only possible choice for prophylaxis and treatment. Currently only two drugs have been clinically proven to be effective against H5N1 strain and the emergence of drug resistant in H5N1 influenza virus has been reported which may significantly hamper the treatment. Understanding and monitoring the emergence of th ....An influenza pandemic causing by highly pathogenic H5N1 virus may occur in the near future. As a vaccine for H5N1 will not be available in the foreseeable months, antiviral drugs are the only possible choice for prophylaxis and treatment. Currently only two drugs have been clinically proven to be effective against H5N1 strain and the emergence of drug resistant in H5N1 influenza virus has been reported which may significantly hamper the treatment. Understanding and monitoring the emergence of these drug resistant strains during local spreading will be critical in managing an H5N1 influenza pandemic in Australia. In the proposed project, we will develop important diagnostic tools using our world leading Rolling Circle Amplification (RCA) technology for the monitoring of the development and possible transmission of drug resistant influenza strains. Upon finishing the project, at lease three sensitive diagnostic methods will be developed for the detection of the emergence of drug resistance at the very early stage.Read moreRead less
Cardiomyopathies (heart muscle problems) are the most common inherited heart conditions and represent an important clinical problem. The clinical and psychosocial impact on both the children and their families is significant. The proposed research will improve our understanding of the clinical and genetic basis of childhood cardiomyopathies, and how genetic factors may influence the development, progression, and clinical outcome, including heart failure, transplantation, and sudden death.