Understanding The Factors Governing Susceptibility And Outcome In Childhood Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$276,122.00
Summary
This research seeks to understand why a minority of children are prone to severe and often life-threatening infections and inflammation. It focusses on infections both in preterm infants and in later childhood, which may also be relevant to understanding atherosclerosis. I am also interested in improving the health of recently arrived refugees, by conducting research that allows the development of evidence-based health interventions and developing national policy on refugee health.
Understanding The Shared Determinants And Causal Pathways Of Early Life Infection, Inflammation And Atherosclerosis.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$632,803.00
Summary
Infection is the commonest reason for childhood hospitalisation, but it is unknown why infection is much more severe in some children. The long-term effects of infection on the development of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), the underlying cause of cardiovascular disease, is also unknown. This research investigates these important questions with the aim of developing better prediction and prevention of severe infection and reducing its impact on adult cardiovascular disease.
Genetic And Environmental Contributions To The Life Course Of The Common Mental Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,529,567.00
Summary
The common mental disorders (anxiety, depression, substance use) constitute a major disease burden and cost on the health system. Little is known about their causes and patterns of occurrence over the life span. This study follows a sample of 4000 persons from birth to 30 years of age to determine the environmental and genetic factors that lead to the onset and recurrence of the common mental disorders. It will provide important information to influence the treatment and prevention of these diso ....The common mental disorders (anxiety, depression, substance use) constitute a major disease burden and cost on the health system. Little is known about their causes and patterns of occurrence over the life span. This study follows a sample of 4000 persons from birth to 30 years of age to determine the environmental and genetic factors that lead to the onset and recurrence of the common mental disorders. It will provide important information to influence the treatment and prevention of these disorders.Read moreRead less
Genetic Control Of Susceptibility To Autoimmune Gastritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$346,945.00
Summary
Autoimmune gastritis is caused by the immune system targeting and destroying the stomach lining. We have developed a mouse model of the causes of gastritis and mapped the two major genes that can control susceptibility. This project involves the final stages of identifying these genes and determining how they cause disease.
Melanoma is one of Australia s major cancer problems, but we still do not completely understand why certain people are at higher risk than others. This study is focussed on people who have a strong family history of melanoma, and is part of continuing efforts to identify the gene variants that contribute to melanoma risk. Most of the work described takes place as part of national and international collaborations to map and identify these melanoma susceptibility genes and to characterise their ef ....Melanoma is one of Australia s major cancer problems, but we still do not completely understand why certain people are at higher risk than others. This study is focussed on people who have a strong family history of melanoma, and is part of continuing efforts to identify the gene variants that contribute to melanoma risk. Most of the work described takes place as part of national and international collaborations to map and identify these melanoma susceptibility genes and to characterise their effects. Potential benefits from this research will be a better understanding of the place of genetic testing in assessing people s risk of melanoma, particularly if they have relatives with the disease, and way in which skin features like moles should be taken into account in that assessment. In addition, it is likely that better information about the genes altered in melanoma susceptibility and development will point to useful targets for development of novel anti-cancer agents.Read moreRead less
Detection Of Susceptibility Genes For Multiple Sclerosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$589,073.00
Summary
Multiple sclerosis is one of the most common chronic diseases of the nervous system. It usually starts in young adulthood and continues with episodes of severe disability from which partial recovery leads in many patients to difficulties with walking, balance, speech, bladder control and other neurologic functions. The disease inflicts a severe burden on both patients and the community. There is currently no preventive treatment and therapy is expensive (interferon at $20,000 p.a.) and of limite ....Multiple sclerosis is one of the most common chronic diseases of the nervous system. It usually starts in young adulthood and continues with episodes of severe disability from which partial recovery leads in many patients to difficulties with walking, balance, speech, bladder control and other neurologic functions. The disease inflicts a severe burden on both patients and the community. There is currently no preventive treatment and therapy is expensive (interferon at $20,000 p.a.) and of limited benefit in stopping further damage and of no benefit in reversing existing damage. New treatments will come through a full understanding of how the immune system attacks the brain to cause MS. There is a strong inherited component in MS and the discovery of the genes responsible should speed up the quest to understand the cause of the disease. The proposed studies involve international collaboration co-ordinated from Cambridge University, UK, in which the entire human genome will be screened looking for the MS genes using world s best available technology. Funding of this grant will allow Australia an equal seat at the table for this collaboration involving 17 countries. No individual country can recruit enough patients and hence this international effort is essential. It is expected that the understanding of the cause of MS will lead to new treatments that are effective and with low side effects.Read moreRead less