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
An Exploration Of Functional Decline And The Potential For Rehab In Patients With Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$50,000.00
Summary
Lung cancer is one of the commonest human cancers and the leading cause of cancer deaths. People with advanced cancer experience significant decline in functional capacity as their disease advances and they approach death. This decline is likely to have significant impact on quality of life. In lung cancer this decline can be exacerbated by chronic illnesses such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). While significant clinical benefits have been demonstrated in COPD patients with the ....Lung cancer is one of the commonest human cancers and the leading cause of cancer deaths. People with advanced cancer experience significant decline in functional capacity as their disease advances and they approach death. This decline is likely to have significant impact on quality of life. In lung cancer this decline can be exacerbated by chronic illnesses such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). While significant clinical benefits have been demonstrated in COPD patients with the introduction of pulmonary rehabilitation, little research has been conducted to either map the functional status of lung cancer patients or to explore the application of pulmonary rehabilitation in this setting. This study seeks to begin a program of work in this area through first exploring the characteristics of functional decline in this group and then assessing the feasibility and acceptability of a rehabilitation program specifically addressing the functional status needs identified.Read moreRead less
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) - Improved Diagnosis With Quality Assurance Of Serological & Molecular Diagnost
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$249,019.00
Summary
This project aims to produce Quality Assurance (QA) algorithms to ensure accurate diagnosis of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) using serological and molecular techniques. The project will assess HPAI diagnosis accurately within the setting of other circulating respiratory illnesses, utilising a new HPAI module, ,in combination with existing modules within the Royal College of Pathologists of Australia (RCPA) Serology Quality Assurance Program (SQAP). This will ensure rapid, cost-efficie ....This project aims to produce Quality Assurance (QA) algorithms to ensure accurate diagnosis of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) using serological and molecular techniques. The project will assess HPAI diagnosis accurately within the setting of other circulating respiratory illnesses, utilising a new HPAI module, ,in combination with existing modules within the Royal College of Pathologists of Australia (RCPA) Serology Quality Assurance Program (SQAP). This will ensure rapid, cost-efficient improvements in diagnostics by utilizing existing infrastructure. The key elements of the project are: Introduction of quality assurance processes to ensure accurate diagnosis and to evaluate existing and developing laboratory testing procedures, test accuracy, and result interpretation; Involvement of human and veterinary laboratories in the QA and development processes; Production of suitable antigenic material through molecular virology as targets for HPAI antibody and molecular diagnostics in QA programs. This will thereby allow large quantities of non-infectious material for HPAI QA assessment of serological and molecular assays around Australia, using baculovirus expressed antigens and cloned gene targets respectively. These projects are designed within a short (<12 month) time frame in order to fulfil the needs of the Australian community in controlling the developing HPAI avian pandemic, and the possible human pandemic. Significant positive outcomes in the next six months are assured by the existence of current QA processes, experience in influenza research already available in the human and animal health laboratories involved, the research records of the groups, and the close existing linkages between the research, QA, diagnostic and avian virology groups.Read moreRead less
Mapping Genes For Typical Migraine Using Twin Families.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$439,124.00
Summary
Current evidence suggests multiple genes may underlie susceptibility to the more common forms of migraine. The project will look to see if the these genes provide clues to the further elucidation of the complex molecular pathways of migraine and will help in the development of diagnostic tests and evidence-based treatment strategies.
Validation And Replication Of Genes Associated With Common Human Disease Using Australian Twin Families
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$921,224.00
Summary
The European Network for Genetic and Genomic Epidemiology (ENGAGE) aims to translate the wealth of data emerging from large-scale research efforts in molecular epidemiology into information of direct relevance to future advances in clinical medicine. ENGAGE will do this through the integration of very large datasets already available from a substantial number of large and well-characterised samples. The resulting ENGAGE resource will represent a research investment >€100M (>AU$160M) and pr ....The European Network for Genetic and Genomic Epidemiology (ENGAGE) aims to translate the wealth of data emerging from large-scale research efforts in molecular epidemiology into information of direct relevance to future advances in clinical medicine. ENGAGE will do this through the integration of very large datasets already available from a substantial number of large and well-characterised samples. The resulting ENGAGE resource will represent a research investment >€100M (>AU$160M) and provide unprecedented power to discover disease and trait susceptibility genes. QIMR will contribute 12,000 twins for ENGAGE joint analyses and provide analytical expertise in the analysis of disease and genetic data related to lifestyle and metabolic traits, with particular emphasis on cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and migraine risk factors. Our laboratory will also perform vital further genetic studies to establish the causal relationship between the genetic variants concerned and the traits of interest. Most importantly, our direct participation will allow the translation of these findings into the Australian population and clinical arena.Read moreRead less
Epidemiology And Community Consequences Of Asbestos Exposure In WA
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$879,876.00
Summary
We aim to explore the impact of asbestos exposure on the health of individuals using the Wittenoom workers and residents cohort studies and the Australian community with the formation of a new community based cohort study. Using data from the Wittenoom workers and residents studies, we will examine the impact of asbestos exposure on women�s health which has not been looked at before. We will examine if asbestos exposure affects psychosocial health and determine if long term supplementation with ....We aim to explore the impact of asbestos exposure on the health of individuals using the Wittenoom workers and residents cohort studies and the Australian community with the formation of a new community based cohort study. Using data from the Wittenoom workers and residents studies, we will examine the impact of asbestos exposure on women�s health which has not been looked at before. We will examine if asbestos exposure affects psychosocial health and determine if long term supplementation with Vitamin A for cancer prevention results in an increased risk of bone fractures. We will also examine the genetic susceptibility of asbestos related diseases in these cohorts, and create and validate an algorithm to derive measures of fibre counts from occupational histories. Earlier projections of mesothelioma in the general community have been based on extrapolations from disease incidence in the past. We intend collecting data on a new community based cohort, to examine the distribution of asbestos in the community in order to predict future cases of asbestos related disease and the perception, beliefs and knowledge that exists in the community of its potential health effects. With this new knowledge we will devise an intervention program with the aim of preventing future cases of asbestos related disease. As part of this process we will use a multimedia website as an information hub. This will allow us to experiment with the use of creative media to present personal and community experiences of living with asbestos and present scientific research and public health messages.Read moreRead less
The Genetic Understanding Of Asbestos Related Disorders (GUARD)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$566,008.00
Summary
This proposal is to build a new national biospeciman resource for mesothelioma research that will both underpin and enhance the national health and medical research effort in Australia by systematically enabling a world-class resource for genetic epidemiological research. The Genetic Understanding of Asbestos-Related Disorders (GUARD) project aims to establish a national facility that will enable new, large-scale DNA banking capacity for malignant mesothelioma (MM) and other asbestos-related dis ....This proposal is to build a new national biospeciman resource for mesothelioma research that will both underpin and enhance the national health and medical research effort in Australia by systematically enabling a world-class resource for genetic epidemiological research. The Genetic Understanding of Asbestos-Related Disorders (GUARD) project aims to establish a national facility that will enable new, large-scale DNA banking capacity for malignant mesothelioma (MM) and other asbestos-related diseases. The GUARD biospecimen resource and linked database will integrate the current WA population-based asbestos-exposed cohorts with case collections from across Australia. The GUARD project will undertake high-quality research aimed at discovering the genes and gene: environment interactions underlying susceptibility, progression and variable response to chemotherapy in mesothelioma, and will facilitate National collaboration and research in the areas of genetic epidemiology and pharmacogenomics. Progress towards the goals of the GUARD project holds the potential for enormous public health benefits; the incidence of malignant melanoma is increasing, due to the long delay between asbestos exposure and diagnosis. GUARD will ensure that Australian researchers have access to a large and well-managed biospecimen resource linked to excellent clinical data, and that Australia takes the lead role internationally in genetic research into mesothelioma. GUARD data will be critical for understanding the importance and functional roles of specific genes in the general Australian population, and their relationship to particular environmental factors. Understanding how causal factors act at a population level will be a critical step for the clinical utilization of new genomic knowledge and tools to improve clinical practice and public health.Read moreRead less
The Australia Medical Bioinformatics Resource (AMBeR)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,185,000.00
Summary
This proposal is to build a new national medical bioinformatics resource - the Australian Medical Bioinformatics Resource (AMBeR) - and to enhance the national capacity in this important area. We aim to bring together Australia's unique resources for genetic epidemiology and genomics with high level expertise in bioinformatics and statistical science, conduct advanced methodological research, develop new research capacity and competitiveness in cutting-edge techniques, bring them to bear on impo ....This proposal is to build a new national medical bioinformatics resource - the Australian Medical Bioinformatics Resource (AMBeR) - and to enhance the national capacity in this important area. We aim to bring together Australia's unique resources for genetic epidemiology and genomics with high level expertise in bioinformatics and statistical science, conduct advanced methodological research, develop new research capacity and competitiveness in cutting-edge techniques, bring them to bear on important medical research problems, train young Australians in bioinformatics and advanced biostatistics, and transfer this expertise to the medical research community.Read moreRead less