The Role Of Reduced Lung Volume In The Pathogenesis Of Asthma.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$275,095.00
Summary
Asthma is a disease for which the cause is not understood. This project is designed to examine the possibilty that breathing at low volumes causes an abnormality in the smooth muscle of the airways that predisposes them to the airway hyperresponsiveness of asthma.
I am a respiratory physician studying mechanisms of respiratory allergy and host defence against respiratory viruses. My research aims to develop new ways of treating airway inflammation in asthma and COPD.
Regulation Of Pulmonary Responsiveness By Chronic Mechanical Strain And Its Role In Obstructive Lung Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$287,321.00
Summary
The pressures required to breathe place a continuous but varying mechanical strain on airway passages and lung tissue. This mechanical strain may protect the airway from collapsing, however, this protection is deficient in lung diseases such as asthma. This project considers the possibility that abnormal mechanical strain occurring in lung disease predisposes the individual to debilitating and potentially life-threatening airflow obstruction.
Mechanism/s Of Disease Caused By Respiratory Viral Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$479,517.00
Summary
A newly discovered respiratory virus, human metapneumovirus (HMPV), causes clinical disease that is very similar to human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and co-circulates with RSV. Human RSV is a major cause of morbidity and life-threatening respiratory tract disease in infants and young children worldwide, and is recognised as an important respiratory pathogen in elderly adults and immune compromised patients. The recent isolation of HMPV from children hospitalised with respiratory tract ill ....A newly discovered respiratory virus, human metapneumovirus (HMPV), causes clinical disease that is very similar to human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and co-circulates with RSV. Human RSV is a major cause of morbidity and life-threatening respiratory tract disease in infants and young children worldwide, and is recognised as an important respiratory pathogen in elderly adults and immune compromised patients. The recent isolation of HMPV from children hospitalised with respiratory tract illness similar to RSV, but with an unknown etiology, suggests that HMPV may mediate similar clinical pathology. Nothing is currently known about the immune response to HMPV, or the association of these responses with lung disease. The objectives of this proposal are to elucidate the mechanisms of immunity and disease pathogenesis associated with human metapneumovirus (HMPV) and to investigate the use of a novel vaccine to protect against HMPV infection. Once this data is obtained, the study will provide the foundation for further research in the development of vaccines or therapeutic protocols to treat HMPV. It will also provide valuable information for understanding the disease in humans. Also,it is likely that HMPV, like hRSV, may prove to be an agent associated with long-term decreased pulmonary function and airflow limitation perhaps developing to asthma.Read moreRead less
Immune Recognition Of Upper Airway Microbiota In Early Life As A Determinant Of Respiratory Health In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,135,837.00
Summary
The study will investigate the impact of respiratory infections during infancy on lung & immune function & respiratory health between 3-7 years of age. Children were previously enrolled in a population based birth cohort study (ORChID study) which collected detailed information about the respiratory health during the first 2 years of life with daily respiratory diary & weekly nasal swab collection. In this study lung function & immune function will be assessed annually in the same children (3-7)
Circulatory Biomarkers For Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Improving Patient Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$841,625.00
Summary
We are going to find molecules in the blood that would improve the diagnosis and treatment of a lung condition called Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). The project brings together well characterized patients from the Australian IPF registry, blood samples we have collected from them and cutting edge technologies to complete this project.
Elucidating The Mechanisms Of Infection-induced, Steroid-resistant Asthma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$348,070.00
Summary
Steroid-resistant asthma is an important clinical problem and effective therapies are urgently required. Substantial evidence links bacterial and viral respiratory infections with steroid-resistant asthma, however, how infections are associated with steroid-resistant asthma is not known. This project will investigate the role of specific immune factors, that we have identified, in infection-induced steroid-resistant asthma. Our project may identify new therapeutic targets for this severe form of ....Steroid-resistant asthma is an important clinical problem and effective therapies are urgently required. Substantial evidence links bacterial and viral respiratory infections with steroid-resistant asthma, however, how infections are associated with steroid-resistant asthma is not known. This project will investigate the role of specific immune factors, that we have identified, in infection-induced steroid-resistant asthma. Our project may identify new therapeutic targets for this severe form of asthma.Read moreRead less
A Novel Optical Stimulation Method For Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$510,913.00
Summary
This project aims to develop and characterize a novel optogenetic pharyngeal stimulation system to dilate the upper airway using a light stimulus. This will provide proof-of-concept for a new minimally invasive treatment option for obstructive sleep apnoea.