This research will develop cutting-edge computational tools and statistical methods to analyse, model and visualise the way in which the human brain is interconnected. The tools developed will be used to identify biological markers in the brain’s network of axonal circuitry (the connectome) that are valuable for diagnosis and prognosis of psychiatric disorders. This research will bring to fruition the exciting potential of connectomics in neuroscience and psychiatry.
Patient-specific Modelling Of Cardiovascular Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$428,065.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease is undoubtedly the biggest killer in the developed world and accounts for 30% of all deaths in Australia; killing one Australian every twelve minutes. My research group and I, combine medical imaging with biomedical engineering to perform patient-specific modelling. For example, we can predict the likelihood that aneurysm will rupture or the way blood flows through the aorta. My goal is to make these modelling tools accurate and robust enough to be used in the clinic.
Strengthening Primary Health Care Systems For Under-served Populations Worldwide
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$476,728.00
Summary
The World Health Organization has identified the strengthening of primary health care systems as a priority area for global health. My research program focusses on identifying, developing and testing innovative strategies to improve access to high quality primary health care for under-served populations in Australia (particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities), rural India, China and the USA.
Understanding The Impact Of Age And Chronic Infection On The T Cell Recognition And Control Of Infectious Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$506,151.00
Summary
The effectiveness of immune responses to infectious diseases and vaccines declines during prolonged infection and is compromised in the very young and elderly. This research aims to better understand the compromise of the immune recognition and control of chronic infections and age-related defects in immunity. Such understanding is crucial to the development of strategies to improve the outcome of infections across the lifespan and the design of vaccines for chronic infections such as HIV.
Discovering The Genetic Causes Of Congenital Heart Disease Using Systems Biology
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,180.00
Summary
Congenital heart disease (CHD) affects one in one hundred live-born babies, representing a significant health burden in Australia and worldwide. My research team is using state-of-the-art DNA sequencing technology to sequence the entire genome of hundreds of patients with CHD and their family members. My research program develops fast and reliable computer software to accelerate the discovery of the genetic causes of CHD, and make personalised genome-based medicine a reality.
Novel Health Data Systems For Translation And Impact
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,048.00
Summary
Health research seeks to benefit society by improving health. However, there is a gap between the findings of research and healthcare practice. New systems are beginning to change the way research data are used to improve health outcomes. I am an HIV specialist developing and evaluating several new data systems and my vision for the next four years is to use these to improve the translation of health research into practice and policy for the benefit of people with HIV and society at large.
Exploring And Exploiting Novel Therapeutic Avenues In Mesothelioma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,048.00
Summary
Mesothelioma is a fatal cancer of the lungs. It rapidly grows and invades surrounding tissues such as the ribcage, causing severe shortness of breath and pain. Chemotherapy has limited effect and although immunotherapy appears promising, most patients do not respond. I will investigate why mesothelioma is so invasive; how to improve the response to immunotherapy and how to best combine chemotherapy and immunotherapy. I aim to develop new treatments that will benefit patients with mesothelioma.
Platform Nanotechnologies For Oral Delivery Of Drugs, Therapeutic Protein And Peptide Delivery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$437,034.00
Summary
The development of reliable oral delivery systems for problem drugs and biologics is one of the biggest challenges faced by the pharmaceutical industry in recent times. In order to tackle these challenges, I have developed programmable nanoparticles capable of efficiently deliver wide range of drugs including large peptides and proteins orally.
NEW INSIGHTS IN TREATMENT AND DIAGNOSIS OF GLAUCOMA
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,180.00
Summary
Effective treatment of glaucoma and understanding the exact mechanism of cell death in glaucoma still remain challenging. Here I utilize a smart nanoparticle that could recognize sick cells followed by releasing drugs only to cells that are stressed and need the drug. High-resolution microscopy can map the detailed activity in retina after drug treatments. By doing so, we develop a novel way to deliver drugs to diagnose and treat glaucoma.
New medicines are urgently needed for infectious diseases due to widespread resistance to many traditional antibiotics. This research will develop and apply state-of-the-art techniques to measure metabolism in parasites and bacteria, and reveal how drugs inhibit metabolic pathways in these microorganisms. This will provide important information about how current drugs work, and assist with the development of new medicines for infectious diseases.