Understanding The Relationship Of Incretin Hormones, Gastric Emptying And Reactive Hypoglycaemia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$132,743.00
Summary
Low blood glucose levels following a meal occur frequently in otherwise healthy people and those who have had surgery for weight loss. It affects quality of life adversely and current management is unsatisfactory. The proposed studies will use sophisticated techniques to evaluate the roles of the rate of stomach emptying and the so-called 'incretin' hormones which stimulate the release of insulin after a meal. The outcomes will have major implications for more rational management.
Maximising The Population Impact Of Digital Self-management Programs To Improve Type 2 Diabetes Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$64,713.00
Summary
My PhD research will determine how user engagement with a digital diabetes program improves sustained diabetes outcomes and which program features contribute most to this improvement within disadvantaged people with diabetes. In addition to ensuring that such programs are equitable and optimise health gains of all Australians with T2DM, findings from my research will also help realise the potential of this technology to be used to address other chronic illness management.
Suppression Of Immunity By The Malaria Parasite Antigen Plasmodium Falciparum Erythrocyte Membrane Protein-1 (PfEMP-1)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$96,698.00
Summary
The malaria parasite P. falciparum infects red blood cells and makes the cells put on their surface a protein called PfEMP-1. The parasite can effectively “hide” by constantly changing this protein and making it unrecognizable by the immune system. PfEMP-1 can also suppress the immune system so that it can’t respond adequately to infection. Therefore, understanding PfEMP-1 function is important. I will investigate how PfEMP-1 can do this by looking at its cross talk with the immune system.
Networks Analysis - Modelling Transmission Of Disease And Propagation Of Adverse Health Outcomes Through Interconnected Populations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$120,253.00
Summary
Networks analysis is a powerful suite of statistical techniques that will be used to develop simulations of disease and poor health outcomes through an Australian injecting drug user network, a Laos/Vietnam based cohort of men who have sex with men (MSM) and the 2009 H1N1 influenza cohort. Development of robust predictive models of disease and health outcomes provides novel opportunities for identifying and developing finely targeted intervention and harm-minimisation strategies.
Non-invasive Methods Of Measuring Work Of Breathing In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$41,267.00
Summary
Sleep-disordered breathing such as obstructive sleep apnoea, is currently diagnosed if a child stops breathing more than once per hour. For children with asthma or cystic fibrosis, who may not stop breathing during the night, how hard their breathing muscles work can have a significant impact on their health. A non-invasive method of measuring respiratory effort, and incorporating this measurement into how sleep-disordered breathing is diagnosed, can revolutionize how sleep-disordered breathing ....Sleep-disordered breathing such as obstructive sleep apnoea, is currently diagnosed if a child stops breathing more than once per hour. For children with asthma or cystic fibrosis, who may not stop breathing during the night, how hard their breathing muscles work can have a significant impact on their health. A non-invasive method of measuring respiratory effort, and incorporating this measurement into how sleep-disordered breathing is diagnosed, can revolutionize how sleep-disordered breathing in children are managed world-wide.Read moreRead less
Therapeutic Blockade Of Complement Inducing Inflammatory Injury In Kidney Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$133,181.00
Summary
ANCA associated vasculitis is an inflammatory disease involving the kidney filters which is a major cause of chronic kidney failure. Current drugs to treat it are toxic. Less toxic treatments are required. In this study we will explore the potential for new treatments targeting complement (a normal blood protein involved in inflammation) to attenuate this disease in mice. We hope to define the role of complement in this disease and the benefits of inhibiting it before we use it in humans.
What Is The Profile, Burden And Consequences Of Cerebral Palsy (CP) Due To Congenital Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$87,130.00
Summary
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a virus that can be transmitted from mother to the unborn child. It is a potentially preventable cause of cerebral palsy (CP). The incidence of CP due to CMV remains unclear in Australia as screening for CMV is not routinely performed in the newborn. Our preliminary data suggests that severe CP is strongly associated with CMV. Here we will use link recorded data and test CMV in newborn screening cards to determine the burden and profile of CP due to congenital CMV in Aus ....Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a virus that can be transmitted from mother to the unborn child. It is a potentially preventable cause of cerebral palsy (CP). The incidence of CP due to CMV remains unclear in Australia as screening for CMV is not routinely performed in the newborn. Our preliminary data suggests that severe CP is strongly associated with CMV. Here we will use link recorded data and test CMV in newborn screening cards to determine the burden and profile of CP due to congenital CMV in Australia.Read moreRead less
Impact Of Cognitive Training On Improving Emotional And Cognitive Function: Testing Predictors And Moderators Of Treatment Response In Twins.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$97,419.00
Summary
This project evaluates the effectiveness of a web-based cognitive training tool, MyBrainSolutions, in improving emotional and cognitive function over acute (30 days) and long-term periods (1-year). The impact of the cognitive training on both trained and untrained real-world functions will be investigated, as well as the minimum time commitment required to see improvement. By comparing identical to non-identical twins, a comparison of the relative impact of genetics versus environment in improvi ....This project evaluates the effectiveness of a web-based cognitive training tool, MyBrainSolutions, in improving emotional and cognitive function over acute (30 days) and long-term periods (1-year). The impact of the cognitive training on both trained and untrained real-world functions will be investigated, as well as the minimum time commitment required to see improvement. By comparing identical to non-identical twins, a comparison of the relative impact of genetics versus environment in improving scores can be evaluated.Read moreRead less
Uptake of fertility preservation procedures (eg. egg and embryo freezing) prior to cancer treatment is increasing and women will return to use these to try to conceive. Radiation may damage the uterus and there is insufficient evidence to guide the management of those exposed to intermediate doses. The aim is to improve understanding of radiation effects on the uterus which will assist clinicians with deciding whether it can support a pregnancy, or if surrogacy should be advised.
The Impact Of The Identification And Inclusion Of Acceptable HLA-mismatches On The Transplant Potential Of Highly-sensitised Renal Transplant Candidates.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$100,323.00
Summary
In Australia, allocation of donor kidneys are currently weighted largely on the degree of donor-recipient HLA compatibility. However, not all HLA mismatches leads to negative outcomes. Acceptable HLA-mismatches are antigen mismatches that can be considered compatible at a structural and functional level and have been applied to circumvent the problem of difficulty finding suitable donors for highly-sensitised transplant candidates. We apply this concept to the Australian kidney transplant popula ....In Australia, allocation of donor kidneys are currently weighted largely on the degree of donor-recipient HLA compatibility. However, not all HLA mismatches leads to negative outcomes. Acceptable HLA-mismatches are antigen mismatches that can be considered compatible at a structural and functional level and have been applied to circumvent the problem of difficulty finding suitable donors for highly-sensitised transplant candidates. We apply this concept to the Australian kidney transplant population.Read moreRead less