Robust Bioinformatics For Predicting Bacterial Pathogens From Microbiome Sequencing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$644,151.00
Summary
We propose to develop new methods for the identification of microbial pathogens using High Throughput DNA Sequencing (HTS). Study of the microbiome - the genes encoded by the assemblage of microbial species present in an environment - using HTS technologies is revolutionising our understanding of human-microbe interactions. Our proposed work includes fundamental computational and theoretical advances and applying these techniques to solve critical problems in pathogen detection.
High-throughput genetic assays are commonly used to study the molecular basis of disease and such technology requires sophisticated data analysis methods that account for significant biological and experimental complexity. Specialized methods will be developed in free public software that will greatly benefit future genetic profiling studies.
Modelling The Possible Effects Of Low-dose Irradiation In Young Australians Exposed To CT Scans
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$130,877.00
Summary
Radiation from CT (computerised tomographic X-ray) scans of children may cause a later increase in cancer risk. However, any risk for an individual will be small, so we are using de-identified records to study the average risk of cancer in 600,000 young Australians exposed to CT scans between 1985-2005. Our project has the capacity to detect an increase of 10% in the risk of exposed compared with non-exposed. Results will be available by Dec 2012.
Multivariate Whole Genome Estimation And Prediction Analysis Of Genomics Data Applied To Psychiatric Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$639,582.00
Summary
We have made major contributions to the development of statistical methods applied to data from the international Psychiatric Genomics Consortium. Major new data sets will soon become available, with immense sample sizes (100,000s) and more extensive clinical and environmental data. We will develop and apply novel statistical analyses of these data, to answer fundamental questions about the genetic basis of psychiatric disorders and the interplay of genetic and environmental risk factors.
Improving The Evaluation Of New Cancer Therapies To Expedite Patient Access
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$412,888.00
Summary
The government funds cancer drugs, but drugs have to provide value for money to Australian taxpayers. Most proposed cancer drugs provide a benefit to patients but reaching agreement on how much the government will pay for these drugs often delays access by months, and often over a year due to uncertainty regarding drugs’ long-term effects. This research will test methods and develop guidelines to reduce this uncertainty and provide earlier access to new cancer drugs.
Optimisation By Platform Trial Involving Multiple Interventions With Simultaneous Evaluation In Community Acquired Pneumonia (OPTIMISE-CAP)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,413,145.00
Summary
In Australia severe Community Acquired Pneumonia is responsible for more than 7000 ICU admissions and 1400 deaths each year. This trial will determine the optimal treatments among existing choices of therapy related to choice of antibiotic, ventilator strategy and modulation of the immune system. The trial uses new methods to answer more research questions as quickly as possible.
Constructing Control Samples For The Australian And Other Populations: Improving Power And False Positive Rates In The Next Generation Of Genetic Association Studies With A Focus On Controlling For Fine-scale Population Structure In DNA Sequence Data
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$283,447.00
Summary
Individuals who live near each other tend to be more similar genetically than individuals who live in different parts of the world. One reason is that they share more of their genetic ancestry. There can be very subtle differences in patterns of genetic variation even within countries. Accounting for these subtle differences can be important for studies of the genetic basis of diseases. We will develop novel statistical methods to control for these genetic differences in disease studies.
Improved And Automated Measures Of Breast Cancer Risk Based On Digital Mammography And Family History Data Collected By BreastScreen That Will Enable Tailored Screening For Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$741,180.00
Summary
We will use mammograms and family history information collected by BreastScreen to update and improve our automated measures of mammographic density for the new era of digital mammograms. We will then develop a new risk prediction tool by combining the measure of mammographic density for digital mammograms with other risk factors so that information on risk can be given to women at the time of their scans. The results of this project will enable Australian women to receive tailored screening.
We will conduct a study of more than 500 Australian female twin pairs in which one or both have had breast cancer. We will also study measured and unmeasured genetic and environmental causes of risk factors.
Building An Evidence Base For Funding Evidence-based Medicine
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$316,338.00
Summary
Funding schemes should be subject to the same scientific scrutiny as the proposals they scrutinize. If funding schemes could be improved, and higher quality proposals funded more reliably, then evidence-based medicine throughout Australia could be improved. Current evidence shows a concerning variability in funding decisions. We will examine the costs and reliability of the Project Grant scheme and two cheaper alternatives. Any savings we find could be re-invested back into medical research.