The Relationship Between Maternal And Infant Dietary Intake Of Fermentable Fibre, Gut Microbiota, Short Chain Fatty Acids And Allergic Disease And Asthma: A Population-derived Birth Cohort Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$871,700.00
Summary
The proposed study will involve the Barwon Infant Study (BIS) cohort of 1074 infants to provide the first systematic investigation of the hypotheses that the epidemic of allergic disease and asthma in many parts of the world relates to the paucity of fermentable fibre in the modern diet, and that the protective effect of fermentable fibre is mediated by changes in the organisms that colonise the gut and the metabolites that they produce.
Modified Peanut Allergen Combined With A Novel Dietary Adjuvant As A Cure For Peanut Allergy: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,130,021.00
Summary
Peanut allergy is common and there is no cure. Current studies of peanut immunotherapy have shown the effects are not generally long lasting with many side effects. We plan to study a novel form of oral peanut immunotherapy using modified peanut and a dietary fibre (modified starch) supplement. We have evidence that modified peanut may work to desensitise patients with less side effects and that the diet supplement protects animals from developing food allergy.
Multi-centre, Multi-disciplinary Study Using A Systems Biology Approach To Investigate Immunomodulation In Children With Acute Wheeze
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,895,107.00
Summary
The concept that immunomodulation using naturally-occurring bacterial agents can treat asthma has reached international prominence. This is backed by strong epidemiologic and clinical trial data. However, detailed knowledge of the immunological mechanisms involved is essential to allow more focused therapeutic agents to be developed. The proposed multi-disciplinary immunomodulation study in 200 children aims to provide this essential information using an advanced systems biology approach.
A Multi-centre, Double-blind, Randomised Controlled Trial To Evaluate The Efficacy Of 10 Valent-pneumococcal-Protein D Conjugate Vaccine In Reducing Respiratory Exacerbations In Children Aged ? 18 Months With Suppurative Lung Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,160,660.00
Summary
Chronic suppurative (ie infected) lung diseases in children are major causes of poor health and deaths worldwide. Repeated childhood infections contribute to poor lung health in adults. The most common organism causing infection is non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi). This study aims to determine whether a vaccine against NTHi can reduce repeated respiratory infections in children. If so, vaccination may lead to substantial improvements in current/ future lung health, and considerable dir ....Chronic suppurative (ie infected) lung diseases in children are major causes of poor health and deaths worldwide. Repeated childhood infections contribute to poor lung health in adults. The most common organism causing infection is non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi). This study aims to determine whether a vaccine against NTHi can reduce repeated respiratory infections in children. If so, vaccination may lead to substantial improvements in current/ future lung health, and considerable direct and indirect cost of disease savings.Read moreRead less
A Population-based Longitudinal Assessment Of Early Life Vitamin D And Risk Of Food Allergy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$466,086.00
Summary
There has been a dramatic and unexplained increase in food allergy over recent decades. The increase in food allergy may relate to a concordant increase in early vitamin D insufficiency, however this hypothesis has never been directly tested. This project will use existing/funded samples from two NHMRC funded studies to conduct a detailed investigation of (i) the determinant and predictors of early life vitamin D insufficiency; and (ii) the association of vitamin D insufficiency and food allergy ....There has been a dramatic and unexplained increase in food allergy over recent decades. The increase in food allergy may relate to a concordant increase in early vitamin D insufficiency, however this hypothesis has never been directly tested. This project will use existing/funded samples from two NHMRC funded studies to conduct a detailed investigation of (i) the determinant and predictors of early life vitamin D insufficiency; and (ii) the association of vitamin D insufficiency and food allergy.Read moreRead less
Novel Cell Therapy For Hirschsprung Disease: From Patient IPS Cells To Large Animal Trials
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,011,764.00
Summary
In Hirschsprung disease the lower bowel has no nerve cells. It does not function so it is surgically removed but quality of life is poor. A new idea is to replace the missing cells with new ones. Human infants are very large so we will use new stem cell technologies to create large numbers of cells. We will use polymer chemistry to devise a method of getting the cells into such a large organ as the bowel, and trial these on a model, the piglet, which closely resembles in size the human baby.
Being Born Small Is Not Good For The Heart:early Detection Of Cardiovascular Risk
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$486,757.00
Summary
Intra uterine growth restriction(IUGR) is linked to adult onset of cardiovascular disease. However, little is known about the mechanism(s) which underlie this link or which babies are most at risk. This study aims to assess cardiovascular function in infants and children who were growth restricted. Early identification of cardiovascular dysfunction may aid in new opportunities for monitoring and therapeutic targets to ultimately reduce later onset of cardiovascular morbidity in this population.