The Burden And Risk Factors Of Depressive Disorders In Indigenous Australians: Implications For Early Detection And Prevention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
This Fellowship addresses the high rates of depression amongst Indigenous Australians. The proposed work will quantify the extent to which two major risk factors contribute to the burden of depression in this population and the burden avertable from interventions to modify these risk factors. Findings would inform resource allocation and health service delivery, and in doing so, present opportunities for improvements in the health of Indigenous Australians.
Finding The Genetic Causes Of Asthma: The Australian Asthma Genetics Consortium (AAGC)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,697,639.00
Summary
Asthma is a major burden on individuals and health systems. Despite many decades of research, no major effective new treatments for asthma have emerged recently. We will establish a large international consortium to systematically test nearly all known human genes to identify those that influence asthma susceptibility. We expect to identify pathways not previously implicated in asthma and so lead to a potential breakthrough in the development of more effective treatments.
Estimating The Burden Of Group A Streptococcal Diseases In Victoria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$386,760.00
Summary
Despite the considerable advances in the diagnosis and treatment of group A streptococcal (GAS) diseases made during the last century, the impressive spectrum of infections caused by this organism continues to have a significant impact in developed countries. This spectrum includes diseases that are mild but common (e.g. sore throat, skin sores), rare but very severe (e.g. bloodstream infections, flesh-eating bacteria) and those that are more common in developing countries and the Aboriginal pop ....Despite the considerable advances in the diagnosis and treatment of group A streptococcal (GAS) diseases made during the last century, the impressive spectrum of infections caused by this organism continues to have a significant impact in developed countries. This spectrum includes diseases that are mild but common (e.g. sore throat, skin sores), rare but very severe (e.g. bloodstream infections, flesh-eating bacteria) and those that are more common in developing countries and the Aboriginal population (e.g. rheumatic fever, kidney disease). Streptococcal sore throat remains one of the most common childhood infections, and severe group A streptococcal diseases are thought to be increasing in incidence in Australia. Yet, there are no accurate data on the incidence and costs of these or other GAS diseases in non-Aboriginal Australians, or in most other populations around the world. It is becoming more urgent to collect this data as numerous vaccine candidates are entering human trials, new approaches to the treatment of sore throat are emerging, and new strategies to treat and control the spread of severe disease are being developed. We propose a comprehensive strategy to measure the incidence, prevalence and costs of each group of GAS diseases. We will follow a group of families for 12 months to detect cases of GAS sore throat and skin sores and measure the impact on the family. We will survey children in schools to estimate the prevalence of skin sores. We will check hospital records to calculate the number of cases of rheumatic fever and kidney disease. And we will maintain surveillance for severe diseases by checking hospital and laboratory records. We will also check to see if family members of people with severe disease have the GAS bacterium in their throats. We will then compile these data into a comprehensive estimate of the burden of disease in Victoria, and estimate the cost-effectiveness of different treatment and prevention strategies.Read moreRead less
Defining Epigenetic Predictors Of Long-term Outcomes Of Preterm Birth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$409,408.00
Summary
On average, those born premature do worse health-wise than those born at term. However, some do worse than others. Our aim is to identify these people at birth to better help doctors and parents to closely monitor their health. For this, we will be “reading the diary of pregnancy” in the molecules added to chromosomes in blood during pregnancy in young adults with will characterised states of health. We will analyse DNA from blood that we will extract from stored heel prick spots.
Improving The Prevention, Treatment And Management Of Cardiovascular & Chronic Disease In The Community
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$774,540.00
Summary
The identification, prevention and management of cardiovascular and chronic disease risk factors and understanding impact on clinical outcomes is fundamental to improving health and well-being. The program of work encapsulated in this application utilises modern epidemiological research methods involving large scale clinical trials, registries and epidemiological modelling to advance our understanding and provide new directions for cardiovascular disease prevention and management.
A Study Of The Molecular Epidemiology And Virulence Determinants Of Enterovirus 71 Strains From The Asia-Pacific Region
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$286,325.00
Summary
In this study, we aim to understand the reasons for the emergence of epidemics of severe neurological disease due to enterovirus 71 (EV71) in young children of the Asia-Pacific region since 1997, and to develop strategies for disease prevention. EV71 is a human enterovirus closely related to the polioviruses. Most infections with EV71 are trivial, however, they may occasionally result in severe disease, including brainstem encephalitis with a high mortality and acute flaccid paralysis similar to ....In this study, we aim to understand the reasons for the emergence of epidemics of severe neurological disease due to enterovirus 71 (EV71) in young children of the Asia-Pacific region since 1997, and to develop strategies for disease prevention. EV71 is a human enterovirus closely related to the polioviruses. Most infections with EV71 are trivial, however, they may occasionally result in severe disease, including brainstem encephalitis with a high mortality and acute flaccid paralysis similar to poliomyelitis. There has been a large increase in EV71 epidemic activity throughout the Asia-Pacific region since 1997, including a large epidemic in Perth, Western Australia in 1999. These epidemics have resulted in many deaths and cases of severe neurological disability. In view of the severity of EV71 neurological disease and the lack of effective treatments, our research effort needs to focus on prevention through public health surveillance and vaccine development. The major aims of our study are two-fold: 1. To study the origin and evolution of EV71 in the Asia-Pacific region using molecular techniques and to use this information to implement surveillance in Australia and Southeast Asia. It is anticipated that improved surveillance will provide early warning of impending epidemics. 2. To understand the molecular basis of virulence of EV71, with emphasis on the ability of virus to cause severe disease of the central nervous system. This study will have two goals: a. To identify the human cellular receptor of EV71. The ultimate goal of this research will be the development of a small animal model of EV71 encephalitis by constructing a transgenic mouse expressing the human cellular receptor for EV71. b. To construct an infectious cDNA clone of EV71 and to develop genetically defined attenuated strains by mutagenesis of the infectious clone. Mutant strains of EV71 will be tested for replication and virulence in newborn mice and in human neuroblastoma cells.Read moreRead less
Defining The Epigenetic Origins Of Maternally Inherited Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$731,162.00
Summary
Epigenetic (non genetic) changes to the DNA in sperm and eggs can alter outcomes in children. Despite the potential for drugs and diet to mediate some of these inherited effects, the processes involved are very poorly understood. By determining the mechanisms that regulate epigenetic inheritance, this project will improve our understanding of how epigenetic mechanisms acting in the parent, can mediate inherited disease and life-long health outcomes in our children.
How Does Fra-1 Regulate The Invasive Properties Of Tumour Cells?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$468,119.00
Summary
Most cancer deaths occur when tumours spread and destroy vital body functions. The invasion of tumour cells into surrounding tissue is a critical step during the spread of cancer. This project aims to unravel the molecular mechanisms that control the ability of tumour cells to invade into surrounding tissue and subsequently spread to other sites in the body. We expect to identify potential targets to better diagnose and treat the spread of cancer.
Epigenetic Programming Of Immune Development In Utero: Role Of The Maternal Environment In The Allergy Epidemic
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$764,463.00
Summary
This study will provide new insights into the development of allergic disease. Specifically, we will explore the hypothesis that allergic disease and other disorders or immune dysregulation occur as a result of gene-environmental interactions in early life, and that these events begin in pregnancy when the developing fetus is still developing and most susceptible to these effects.
Associations Between Urban Nature And Cardiovascular Disease Risk
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in Australia. Urban nature (e.g. greenness, water, species diversity) is likely to protect against CVD, yet researchers lack knowledge about how this occurs. This project will develop new methods to measure urban nature and examine the relationships with different CVD risk factors (e.g. physical activity, air quality). The results of this project will inform urban planning policy, and help to create healthy cities that reduce CVD.