MicroRNA Pathway Control Of Immune Cell Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,370.00
Summary
The immune system is comprised of many different cell types, each with a specialised function. Many are short-lived and must be continually replenished throughout life. Abnormalities in this process underlie many human diseases, including immunodeficiency, autoimmunity and cancer. My laboratory seeks to understand the molecular pathways that control development of immune cells and to identify the defects that lead to disease.
Mental Health Across Generations: Pre-and Post Conception Predicators Of Early Life Risks
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$666,231.00
Summary
In 2003, mental illnesses were among the ten leading causes of disease burden in Australia, accounting for 13% of the total burden of disease, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Mental health problems and mental illness are among the greatest causes of disability, diminished quality of life, and reduced productivity. People affected by mental health problems often have high levels of morbidity and mortality, experiencing poorer general health and higher rates of death f ....In 2003, mental illnesses were among the ten leading causes of disease burden in Australia, accounting for 13% of the total burden of disease, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Mental health problems and mental illness are among the greatest causes of disability, diminished quality of life, and reduced productivity. People affected by mental health problems often have high levels of morbidity and mortality, experiencing poorer general health and higher rates of death from a range of causes, including suicide. These conditions are significant in terms of prevalence and disease burden, and have far-reaching impacts for families, carers and others in the community. Mental health problems commonly cluster in families. However, few studies have previously been able to investigate the range of ways in which mental disorders may pass from one generation to another. Further, evidence suggests that influences that arise prior to conception may have major effects on early life risks such as development in utero, birth outcomes and early maternal infant bonding. Mental Health across Generations: Pre- and post-conception predictors of early life risks is a unique study that will examine antenatal maternal mental health and risk behaviours during pregnancy. The study will also examine the links between prior maternal mental health and later birth outcomes, and post natal maternal infant bonding. The risk processes to be tested will include genetic, epigenetic (changes in gene expression), physiological and psycho-social parameters.Read moreRead less
Estimating The Burden Of Group A Streptococcal Diseases In Victoria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$386,760.00
Summary
Despite the considerable advances in the diagnosis and treatment of group A streptococcal (GAS) diseases made during the last century, the impressive spectrum of infections caused by this organism continues to have a significant impact in developed countries. This spectrum includes diseases that are mild but common (e.g. sore throat, skin sores), rare but very severe (e.g. bloodstream infections, flesh-eating bacteria) and those that are more common in developing countries and the Aboriginal pop ....Despite the considerable advances in the diagnosis and treatment of group A streptococcal (GAS) diseases made during the last century, the impressive spectrum of infections caused by this organism continues to have a significant impact in developed countries. This spectrum includes diseases that are mild but common (e.g. sore throat, skin sores), rare but very severe (e.g. bloodstream infections, flesh-eating bacteria) and those that are more common in developing countries and the Aboriginal population (e.g. rheumatic fever, kidney disease). Streptococcal sore throat remains one of the most common childhood infections, and severe group A streptococcal diseases are thought to be increasing in incidence in Australia. Yet, there are no accurate data on the incidence and costs of these or other GAS diseases in non-Aboriginal Australians, or in most other populations around the world. It is becoming more urgent to collect this data as numerous vaccine candidates are entering human trials, new approaches to the treatment of sore throat are emerging, and new strategies to treat and control the spread of severe disease are being developed. We propose a comprehensive strategy to measure the incidence, prevalence and costs of each group of GAS diseases. We will follow a group of families for 12 months to detect cases of GAS sore throat and skin sores and measure the impact on the family. We will survey children in schools to estimate the prevalence of skin sores. We will check hospital records to calculate the number of cases of rheumatic fever and kidney disease. And we will maintain surveillance for severe diseases by checking hospital and laboratory records. We will also check to see if family members of people with severe disease have the GAS bacterium in their throats. We will then compile these data into a comprehensive estimate of the burden of disease in Victoria, and estimate the cost-effectiveness of different treatment and prevention strategies.Read moreRead less
A best practice Supply Chain Model for exporting Australia's Fresh produce to global retailers in Thailand. In order to assist the Victoria Government to meet the target of increasing Victorian food export to $12 billion by the year 2010, this project sets out to produce a best practice Supply Chain Model for exporting Australia's fresh produce to global retailers in Thailand. This model will contribute significantly to the improvements of efficiency and effectiveness of Australia's fresh produc ....A best practice Supply Chain Model for exporting Australia's Fresh produce to global retailers in Thailand. In order to assist the Victoria Government to meet the target of increasing Victorian food export to $12 billion by the year 2010, this project sets out to produce a best practice Supply Chain Model for exporting Australia's fresh produce to global retailers in Thailand. This model will contribute significantly to the improvements of efficiency and effectiveness of Australia's fresh produce export supply chain and thus the competitiveness and profitability of Australia's fresh produce export. This will greatly benefit Australia's regional and rural communities generally and Victoria in particular.Read moreRead less
The Construction And Validation Of The Assessment Of Mental Health Related Quality Of Life (PsyQoL) Instrument
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$539,450.00
Summary
Mental Health is one of the national health priority areas as well as one of the largest contributors to burden of disease. WHO projections suggest that by 2020 the burden of depression alone will be second only to cardiovascular disease. New treatments for mental disorders are being developed which must be evaluated. Current research methods do not allow an accurate comparison of the cost effectiveness of these therapies with the cost effectiveness of other medical services as this requires the ....Mental Health is one of the national health priority areas as well as one of the largest contributors to burden of disease. WHO projections suggest that by 2020 the burden of depression alone will be second only to cardiovascular disease. New treatments for mental disorders are being developed which must be evaluated. Current research methods do not allow an accurate comparison of the cost effectiveness of these therapies with the cost effectiveness of other medical services as this requires the measurement of 'utility' or 'quality of life'. The small number of 'generic' 'quality of life instruments' developed to date vary significantly in their 'sensitivity' to different illnesses-their ability to detect change-and none is very sensitive to changes in mental health states. The present project is to overcome this deficit. This will be achieved by refining and expanding an instrument developed in Australia, the Assessment of Quality of Life (AQoL) instrument. This is the only instrument to date which was both constructed using correct psychometric principles of instrument construction and which describes health states in terms of the effect upon a patient's ability to function in a social environment. The new instrument called the PsyQoL will increase instrument sensitivity by including a mental health 'module' to the existing instrument and revising existing items. The methods used will include several methodological innovations in the description of health states and the derivation of utility scores. The project will include a large scale 'validation' study which will include the construction of population 'norms' and also the creation of 'exchange rates' between the PsyQoL and other instrument scores. The significance of the project is that the PsyQoL will allow valid and reliable measurement of health states in a way that creates a 'level playing field' between mental and other health related interventions.Read moreRead less