This proposal is to build a new national resource for medical research that will both underpin and enhance the national health and medical research effort in Australia by systematically enabling world-class biobanking capacities and hence the population-based resources in WA for genetics epidemiological research. The WA DNA Bank will also provide national access to WA biospecimen resources, and will facilitate collaboration and research into national priority diseases of childhood and adulthood.
I am a statistical geneticist. My research focuses on statistical genetic methodology with application to mental health, particularly to understanding the genetic architecture of anxiety and depression disorders.
I work at the interface of quantitative, statistical, population and human genetics and bioinformatics, aiming to understand and unravel genetic variation in disease susceptibility and endophenotypes in human populations.
My research activities can be broadly classified into three strands: epidemiology of fracture, genetics of osteoporosis, and application of Bayesian approach in medical research. The major epidemiological work has included the development of models for in
Genome-wide Association Studies Of Biomedical Traits And Endophenotypes For Complex Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$295,804.00
Summary
The burden of common complex diseases, such as cardiovascular disease is substantial to the health care system. These diseases are caused by genes and environments as well as their interactions. The proposed project will identify genes affecting the susceptibility of individuals to complex diseases. Discovery of such genes will be important for their diagnosis, prevention and treatment and may serve as an important resource for future personalized medicine.
Investigating The Interplay Of Gene And Environment In Childhood And Adolescent Mental Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$386,298.00
Summary
Mental health and substance use disorders account for 60-70% of the overall disease burden among young Australians. This research aims to fully explore the gene-environment interplay in childhood and adolescent mental health. The potential outcomes of this research include: improved understanding of genetic and environmental architecture for single disorder, and the high comorbidity between disorders; guidance for personalised intervention based on one’s genetic background.
Finding Genetic Risk Markers For Endometrial And Other Cancers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$370,668.00
Summary
Studies investigating thousands of genetic markers have revolutionised our understanding of genes involved in cancer. They have also shown that a single gene can be associated with multiple cancers. This project will discover new genes involved in endometrial cancer by detailed genetic analysis, and investigate the genetic similarities between endometrial cancer and different cancers. Results will improve the understanding of cancer and provide opportunity to discover future cancer treatments.
Platform For Young Public Health Researchers To Upgrade Their Scientific Training Experience And Independent Status
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,842,500.00
Summary
This proposal builds on the applicants’ experience with existing large prospective studies and on studies of families of patients with bowel, breast or prostate cancer. The research environment will expose early career researchers to a number of multi-disciplinary approaches relating primarily to prevention of cancer, including studies of the role of diet and genetic factors in the development of cancer, as well as intervention trials to promote healthy eating and cessation of smoking. The grant ....This proposal builds on the applicants’ experience with existing large prospective studies and on studies of families of patients with bowel, breast or prostate cancer. The research environment will expose early career researchers to a number of multi-disciplinary approaches relating primarily to prevention of cancer, including studies of the role of diet and genetic factors in the development of cancer, as well as intervention trials to promote healthy eating and cessation of smoking. The grant will build Australian capacity in research at the forefront of dietary, molecular and genetic epidemiology, including the development of statistical methods for the analysis of family data, and interventions to change behaviour. The grant will also allow clustering of the largest group of genetic epidemiologist-statisticians in Australia, provide a basis for data linkage with State and Commonwealth health services data bases and allow greater development of existing links with international researchers in these areas.Read moreRead less