Developing Novel Preclinical Models For Neurodevelopmental Disorders - From Bedside To Bench
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,714,215.00
Summary
I will use the knowledge gained from our studies of progressive brain structural and cognitive changes in neuropsychiatric disorders (esp. psychosis and schizophrenia), to develop novel animal models of brain development, identify the impact of insults (e.g. viral infection) at different stages of development, and identify new treatments and optimal timing of interventions to prevent or ameliorate brain changes and cognitive deficits.
Age Related Macular Degeneration: Novel Ways To Reduce Vision Loss Through Understanding A High-risk Phenotype And Validating A New Early Intervention.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,156,372.00
Summary
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in older individuals. AMD eyes with reticular pseudo drusen (RPD) are now recognised as at high-risk of faster progression to vision loss. Identifying the underlying mechanisms driving RPD is crucial for to identify specifically targeted therapeutic options. Validating our subthreshold laser trial, and our early endpoint will offer the first proven intervention to slow AMD progression to vision loss.
A Network Approach To Mapping And Modifying Brain Changes In Psychosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,163,245.00
Summary
Psychosis fundamentally alters a person’s relationship with reality. Brain scans can map which parts of the brain are affected by psychosis, but they cannot reveal the actual disease processes that cause these changes. I will address this gap by integrating brain imaging with genetics and mathematical modelling to identify the brain circuits and molecules that impact risk for psychosis, and to develop targeted therapies that modify risk-related brain dysfunction.
Tuberculosis Elimination In Australia Through Targeting Latent Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$950,000.00
Summary
Australia has committed to reducing the number of people who become sick with tuberculosis (TB), towards eventual elimination. Identification of those at risk is needed, which means significant expansion of detection and treatment of latent TB. This research will evaluate impact, cost-effectiveness and community priorities around TB elimination, and introduce a GP-based treatment service for safe and accessible care. It will provide a basis for large-scale programs towards TB elimination.
Inflammation is essential to help fight infection and repair tissues. However when overactive it causes diseases such as psoriasis, arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. Less well known, inflammation also helps drive development of cancers. My research aims to understand inflammatory signalling at the molecular and organism level. Experience has shown that this knowledge can be translated to improve existing therapies or generate new ones, and that is the ultimate aim of my research.
Building Decision Support Systems To Combat Emerging Infectious Diseases And Neglected Tropical Diseases: A Precision Public Health Approach
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,562,250.00
Summary
Emerging infectious diseases and neglected tropical diseases cause significant disease burden globally, and pose major health security threats in the Asia Pacific. The frequency and severity of disease outbreaks are increasing, mostly driven by environmental and socio-demographic change. My research program will use cutting-edge technologies and analytics to develop interactive, dynamic and user-friendly decision support systems that optimise surveillance and control of infectious diseases.
Mechanisms Of Cell Death Driven Inflammation In The Skin
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
Inflammatory skin conditions are a leading cause of disease. Current therapies treat symptoms not causes of inflammation. Skin cells constantly interact with cells of the immune system, and with a diverse array of helpful and harmful microorganisms. My data suggest a role of the skin flora and resident immune cells in the initiation and progression of skin disease. I will investigate how the microbiota and immune cells can initiate cell death and drive excessive immune responses in the skin.
Improving Epidemiological Risk Assessment Of Influenza Epidemics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
Severe flu epidemics have killed young mothers, teenagers, young children and many older people in recent years. Systems for monitoring the flu in Australia and other countries are limited in their ability to provide sound risk assessment during an evolving epidemic. The research I lead will show how unused and under-used data sources can be harnessed to provide a strong influenza risk and healthcare impact assessment capability.
Structural Role Of The Host Cytoskeleton During Invasion Of Intracellular Pathogens
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
During infection by bacteria, the 'skeleton' of cells plays critical roles in sensing the invading germs and destroying them. To counteract this, bacteria have evolved strategies to hijack the cell skeleton to promote their own survival, and spread. This intriguing molecular arms race is continuously co-evolving. Understanding this process in great details will have the potential to design novel therapeutics to counteract bacterial and viral infections.
The Elimination Of Viral Hepatitis And Ending HIV/AIDS As Global Health Threats.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,114,215.00
Summary
Over the next five years my research will focus on reducing the impact of blood-borne viruses (BBVs), , particularly HCV, in vulnerable populations. Using innovative surveillance systems, research methods, implementation science and mathematical modelling, I will study BBV transmission and develop interventions to reduce it and associated risk behaviours (drug and alcohol use and sexual risk) and increase testing and treatment. My work will advance elimination of BBVs as public health threats.