Characterising Lung Growth And Development In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$451,716.00
Summary
A/Prof Graham Hall is senior researcher at the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research in Perth, Western Australia and is internationally recognised for his research in the area of respiratory physiology in infants and young children. His research focuses on understanding the impact of respiratory diseases, such as asthma and cystic fibrosis, as well as pre-term birth and air pollution on lung function not only in early life but as the lung grows and develops.
Food Allergy In The First 15 Year Of Life: Wave 5 Of The HealthNuts Longitudinal Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,435,075.00
Summary
Understanding why some food allergy persists into adolescence is critical because adolescents are at highest risk of life-threatening allergic reactions. Food allergy also has lifelong impacts on children's health. HealthNuts is a longitudinal study of 5300 children that measured allergic diseases from infancy. At the age 15 follow-up, we will identify predictors of food allergy persistence and severity, and the consequences of infant food allergy on later respiratory health.
From The Synchrotron To The Clinic: Translation Of A Novel Functional Lung Imaging Technology
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$891,834.00
Summary
Our team has recently developed a synchrotron technology with a startling capacity for dynamic functional imaging that can act as a sensitive regional indicator of lung disease. We will demonstrate that this technology can be translated from the synchrotron to the lab and eventually the clinic. We will provide proof of this concept by the application of this technology to emphysema, asthma, lung cancer, cystic fibrosis lung disease and neonatal resuscitation.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) causes airway narrowing and lung destruction resulting in breathlessness and cough. Earlier detection of acute attacks of breathlessness may improve treatment, prevent progression and reduce risk of death. The forced oscillation technique can detect attacks earlier and is easy to perform. It will be used in this study for home monitoring with application of time series analyses to accurately detect change so that acute attacks can be treated earlier.
Spirometry And Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) Reference Values For Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Australians
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$78,790.00
Summary
Lung diseases are one of the leading contributors to the health gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Simple tests, such as spirometry, are needed for early diagnosis and good management of lung diseases. My study aims to develop healthy reference values which are lacking for this population. Results from my study will improve the accuracy of test interpretation, aid in diagnosis and clinical care, and reduce morbidity of lung disease for Indigenous Australians.
Role Of Viruses In The Development Of Lung Disease In Cystic Fibrosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,223,186.00
Summary
This study will investigate how lung disease starts in babies with cystic fibrosis and the role of viral infections in this process. The new knowledge gained will help us move towards treatments that prevent or delay the start of lung disease, something not currently possible. We believe this new treatment paradigm will lead to improved quality and extent of life of those with cystic fibrosis.
Developing Lung Function Reference Ranges In Aboriginal Australians
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$875,382.00
Summary
Lung function in Aboriginal Australians may be up to 30% lower than that of the Caucasian population. Comparing a patient’s lung function result to normal is critical to help diagnose and manage lung diseases. There are no lung function normal ranges for Aboriginal Australians. Our study will measure lung function in healthy Aboriginal children and adults and develop Aboriginal specific reference values and thus help ensure the highest level of clinical care for Aboriginal patients.
THE EFFECT OF LONG ACTING BRONCHODILATORS ON VENTILATION IN COPD
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$143,676.00
Summary
COPD is a common and important smoking-related lung disease. Well-established treatments with inhaled medications including long-acting bronchodilators have a proven clinical track record. However the physiological basis for their effects is still under investigation. This research examines some of the physiological changes in lung function and the response to long-acting bronchodilators in patients with COPD, and may help explain why some patients respond to therapy while others do not, leading ....COPD is a common and important smoking-related lung disease. Well-established treatments with inhaled medications including long-acting bronchodilators have a proven clinical track record. However the physiological basis for their effects is still under investigation. This research examines some of the physiological changes in lung function and the response to long-acting bronchodilators in patients with COPD, and may help explain why some patients respond to therapy while others do not, leading to more targeted therapeuticsRead moreRead less
Hyperpolarized Helium MRI To Quantify Regional Lung Damage And Ventilation For Improvement Of Recruitment Strategy.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$455,160.00
Summary
Many lung injuries need mechanical ventilation to reopen collapsed lung airspaces and supply oxygen to the patient. This study uses two methods to monitor the lungs during ventilation: Hyperpolarised helium MRI to image the airspace, and electrical impedance tomography to measure lung volume. This information will allow adjustment of ventilator pressure to maximize oxygen transfer without increasing lung damage. Quicker repair of lung damage and patient recovery are the benefits of this study.
Investigation Of The Influence Preterm Birth On Lung Structure And Function In School Age Children.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$204,482.00
Summary
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains the most significant chronic lung complication of premature birth. While some information on the long term respiratory outcomes in BPD exist there are no comprehensive studies linking lung structure, function and respiratory symptoms and relating these changes to neonatal history. Studies of this kind are essential to ensure future healthcare for these children can be planned accordingly.