Breathe Well: A Centre For Research Excellence In Chronic Respiratory Diseases And Lung Ageing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,527,082.00
Summary
Our CRE is based on common respiratory conditions covering wide spectrum of ages and severity. We will investigate how to maintain optimal respiratory health, through innovative approaches to early detection, improved therapy and adherence. We have a strong multi-disciplinary team of collaborators and we will build capacity through post-doctoral fellowships to improve our structural balance and optimise translational outputs. Tasmania is an ideal community to host a strong CCRE.
Identifying The Microbiological Risk Factors For Acute Lower Respiratory Infection In Indigenous Children To Inform Future Intervention Strategies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$495,745.00
Summary
Lung infections such as pneumonia are common in Indigenous children, and can lead to repeated hospitalisation and permanent lung damage. They are also an important cause of preventable death in children. This study will look at the role of bacteria and viruses in lung infections, and will inform interventions to reduce the burden and consequences of lung infections in Indigenous children.
Advanced imaging technology for measuring pulmonary form and function. Studies of the lung are often limited by difficulties associated with imaging the complex network of airways with conventional techniques. This project will develop novel phase contrast image x-ray imaging technologies to enable quantitative measurements of lung structure and function for studying lung development and assessing lung health.
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Interventional Versus Conservative Treatment Of Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$412,315.00
Summary
Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) is a collapsed lung that occurs in otherwise healthy people without underlying lung disease. Current standard treatment is to insert a chest drain into the chest to remove the air around the collapsed lung so that the lung re-inflates rapidly ("interventional treatment"). We will determine whether doing nothing, i.e. letting the lung re-inflate slowly on its own over several weeks ("conservative treatment"), is just as good or even better for patients.
Defining Regional Lung Mechanics To Improve Lung Protective Ventilation Strategies In Newborn Infants
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$287,321.00
Summary
Over 3000 newly born infants require mechanical ventilation in Australia every year. The majority are very premature infants. About 30% of ventilated infants develop serious ventilator induced lung injury. Minimising such lung injury with improved techniques of ventilation which can protect the lung from injury will reduce the considerable short and long term health burden of this population.
Optimising bubble continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for preterm infants. Synchrotron imaging will be used to see how the lungs of newborns are aerated and move when they are supported by continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) breathing support. This project will provide fundamental biological information that will contribute to refinement of devices to support breathing in babies.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100226
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,000.00
Summary
How innate lymphoid cells regulate mammalian lung development. This project aims to determine the ability of a subset of lung resident immune cells to promote normal lung development through the regulation of stem cells. The lung is constantly exposed to countless environmental challenges including microbes. Mammals’ local immune systems protect the lung from these challenges. This is particularly important in early-life when the lung is still developing. However, impaired lung development affec ....How innate lymphoid cells regulate mammalian lung development. This project aims to determine the ability of a subset of lung resident immune cells to promote normal lung development through the regulation of stem cells. The lung is constantly exposed to countless environmental challenges including microbes. Mammals’ local immune systems protect the lung from these challenges. This is particularly important in early-life when the lung is still developing. However, impaired lung development affects humans and livestock, costing >$3 billion p.a. The intended outcome is to identify basic biological processes involved in normal mammalian lung development, which may lead to strategies to prevent chronic lung diseases in humans and animals.Read moreRead less
Increasing the utility of tetanus toxins by protein engineering. There are a variety of common diseases that are the result of muscular defects. Some of these may be able to be treated with an agent that increases muscle tone, thereby giving benefit to the patient in the alleviation of symptoms. This project aims to use some of the most potent substances known, bacterial toxins, and engineer them to be valuable agents for treatment of certain muscular disorders.
Do Exposures Before Conception Influence The Risk Of Asthma In Offspring?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$688,586.00
Summary
Asthma and poor lung function are major causes of public health issues. Emerging evidence suggests adverse exposures even before the conception of a child may cause these conditions. The proposed project is part of an international study across generations to identify these factors. This study will provide novel evidence to guide interventions and identify studies to advance this area further. These original findings will be of great importance both nationally and internationally.