ASIC1a, A New Therapeutic Drug Target For Cardiac Ischemia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,382,224.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease is the biggest killer in the world, in large part due to the lack of drugs to protect the heart from the damage caused by injuries such as heart attack. Our team of world-leading scientists and clinicians has identified a novel therapeutic target (ASIC1a) against which drugs could be targeted to protect the heart against these injuries. The aim of this project is to develop novel cardioprotective drugs that target ASIC1a so we can test them in human clinical trials.
Uncovering The Neural Mechanisms Of Obsessive-compulsive Disorder Using Brain Modelling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$581,628.00
Summary
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an incurable mental illness and current therapies only mitigate its symptoms for a portion of individuals. Thus, there is a need to identify the neural causes of OCD to develop personalised therapies. We will combine mathematical modelling, computer simulations, and clinical and neuroimaging data to develop the first model of OCD. Outcomes from this study will enable targeted OCD research and the discovery of brain mechanisms supporting treatment response.
Substandard Bed Nets And Malaria: Causes, Impact And Solutions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$827,057.00
Summary
Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN) are a cornerstone of malaria control. LLIN undergo strict testing overseen by WHO and are subject to inspections prior to delivery to recipient countries. Despite this, we found that LLINs delivered to Papua New Guinea (PNG) between 2013 and 2019 were ineffective against malaria mosquitoes. Concurrently we observed a massive rise in malaria in PNG. This study is aimed at understanding the causes and impact of substandard LLINs on the global malaria burden.
Biomechanics Meets Phenomics: Towards Understanding And Predicting Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Disease Progression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,324,897.00
Summary
The criterion used to decide whether to operate on an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), based on the maximum diameter, does not take into consideration the rupture risk for a given patient. By combining imaging, computational biomechanics and metabolic phenotyping, we will assess the structural integrity of an AAA and local structural changes of systemic response. These will allow improved differentiation of rupture risk, leading to better outcomes for patients and savings for the health system.
Investigating A New Regulator Of Cardiac Rhythm In Development And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,022,704.00
Summary
Cardiac arrhythmias affect a high proportion of the population (2-5%) and can cause sudden death. Whilst the aetiology of arrhythmia can vary, there are clear genetic causes. Unfortunately, our knowledge of the genetic contributors is incomplete, hampering efforts to interpret genetic sequencing information. This project will undertake functional analyses of a novel arrhythmia gene and establish where, when and how it is required for correct cardiac rhythm.
Improving The Diagnosis Of Disorders Sex Development (DSD)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$818,997.00
Summary
Disorders of sexual development (DSDs) are surprisingly common, and often result in genital abnormalities, gender mis-assignment, infertility and psychological trauma. We will use our expertise in human genetics, molecular cell and developmental biology, to find genes important for sex development, identify gene defects that cause DSD, and study their functions. We will liaise with clinicians to apply these findings to the accurate diagnosis and medical care of DSD in children.
Using Novel Point-of-care Diagnostic Tests And Mathematical Modelling To Achieve Hepatitis B Elimination: The Rapid B Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$381,948.00
Summary
Liver cancer is increasing rapidly in Australia and globally and depite hepatitis B virus infection being the leading cause, treatment rates are low. We have developed innovative point-of-care blood tests that use a single droplet of blood to measure liver damage, that will help overcome barriers to treatment uptake worldwide. The Rapid B Study will use mathematical modelling to investigate the most cost-effective way to combine these novel tests with treatment to reduce liver cancer deaths.
Novel Modelling To Improve Decision-making For Neighbourhood Design To Reduce Chronic Disease Risk
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$901,564.00
Summary
Research on urban design that might support liveability and health (the 20-minute neighbourhood concept) has used analytic methods that do not account for the complexity of urban environments. This study innovatively uses a flexible and applicable approach (Bayesian Networks) to show where neighbourhood features operate uniquely or not, which features can be prioritised, which are cost effective, and how much of each feature is needed to achieve improvement in reducing risk of chronic disease.
Evidence For Action On Cold, Damp And Mould In Australian Homes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$955,649.00
Summary
We know that living in cold and damp homes is bad for people's health. Surprisingly in Australia we do not know how much exposure to poor conditions and financial hardship combines to generate poor health at the population level. We will quantify this impact and estimate the benefit of interventions (such as mould removal and assistance for paying utility bills). This project will provide governments with evidence for tackling this housing-related health problem.
Biosensor Based Clinical-decision Support For Patients With Heart Failure
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$691,933.00
Summary
Heart Failure (HF) is a progressive disease and a major global public health concern. HF accounts for a substantial number of hospitalisations, major healthcare resource utilisation and costs. We aim to engineer biosensor platform to stratify the risk in HF patients will revolutionise current management of HF by providing the cardiologist information to risk stratify patients based on protein signature. This will lead to a substantial paradigm shift in clinical practice.