BioPolymer Fibres For Remodelling Mdx And Damaged Muscle
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$527,286.00
Summary
This project aims to generate new, smart polymers for use in re-building muscle that has degenerated due to disease and-or trauma damage. The merger of smart polymers with biologically based solutions and cells has great potential to improve outcomes of treatments of damaged muscle in diseases such as Muscular Dystrophy.
The Effects Of Tonic Muscle Pain On The Sympathetic And Somatic Motor Systems In Human Subjects
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$462,948.00
Summary
The main objective of this proposal is to reveal the effects of nociceptive reflexes in humans, and thus identify their functional and clinical implications. By performing invasive recordings from the nerves that control blood vessels and muscles in healthy volunteers subjected to long-lasting (~1 hour) experimental pain, this work will increase our understanding of the adaptive changes that pain induces and improve treatments to prevent pain from becoming chronic.
We have discovered a single tumour factor which causes cancer cachexia, a wasting condition that is one of the worst complications of malignancy, for which there is no current effective treatment. We have developed antibodies which effectively block this condition in preclinical models and have produced human/humanised version of this. This application is to characterise these human antibodies to allow us proceed to clinical trials.
Mechanisms And Therapies In Cardiovascular Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$8,360,700.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) claims 1 person every 10 min in Australia and causes 1 in 3 deaths worldwide. The molecular and cellular processes underlying atherosclerosis, vascular injury and thrombosis are highly complex and not well understood. A multifaceted approach is needed to effectively address these key challenges. This Program brings together world experts in these areas to interrogate gaps in our basic understanding of CVD, and to develop novel therapies for CVD patients by exploiting ....Cardiovascular disease (CVD) claims 1 person every 10 min in Australia and causes 1 in 3 deaths worldwide. The molecular and cellular processes underlying atherosclerosis, vascular injury and thrombosis are highly complex and not well understood. A multifaceted approach is needed to effectively address these key challenges. This Program brings together world experts in these areas to interrogate gaps in our basic understanding of CVD, and to develop novel therapies for CVD patients by exploiting new knowledge through integrated research.Read moreRead less
Economic, social and cross cultural issues in non-pharmaceutical protection of front line responders to pandemic influenza and emerging infections. The protection of front line responders in a pandemic is essential to underpin an effective response. This research is the only work internationally which will address a key gap in evidence. This research has major implications for the national stockpile and for management of front line responders in a pandemic. These data are urgently needed, not ju ....Economic, social and cross cultural issues in non-pharmaceutical protection of front line responders to pandemic influenza and emerging infections. The protection of front line responders in a pandemic is essential to underpin an effective response. This research is the only work internationally which will address a key gap in evidence. This research has major implications for the national stockpile and for management of front line responders in a pandemic. These data are urgently needed, not just in Australia, but globally to inform pandemic planning and disease control policy around emerging infections and bioterrorism.Read moreRead less
Effects Of Fast Versus Slow Weight Loss On Fat, Muscle And Bone In Postmenopausal Women
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$316,450.00
Summary
Very low energy diets (VLED) are increasingly used to treat obesity. Of concern is the fact that VLED induce adaptive responses that can inhibit loss of, and promote regain of, abdominal fat while decreasing lean body mass, muscle strength and bone density. This project will therefore determine whether VLEDs could have negative effects on body composition that increase the risk of metabolic disease, sarcopenia or osteoporosis, and if so, what mechanisms are involved.
An FMRI Analysis Of The Functional Organization Within The Brain Of Experimental Superficial And Deep Orofacial Pain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$307,526.00
Summary
This project will investigate how the human brain processes a number of important aspects of human jaw muscle pain that are clinically relevant but poorly understood. For example, we do not understand why jaw muscle pain has such different behavioural effects to skin pain. Jaw muscle pain is associated with a significant emotional component not seen in with skin pains. Also, skin pain usually has a sharp or burning quality, is well-localized and is readily treated, while jaw muscle pain is a dee ....This project will investigate how the human brain processes a number of important aspects of human jaw muscle pain that are clinically relevant but poorly understood. For example, we do not understand why jaw muscle pain has such different behavioural effects to skin pain. Jaw muscle pain is associated with a significant emotional component not seen in with skin pains. Also, skin pain usually has a sharp or burning quality, is well-localized and is readily treated, while jaw muscle pain is a deep pain that has a dull, aching quality that may be referred to related sites of the face, head and neck. It is also not known why jaw muscle pain is more common in females in comparison to males. Chronic jaw muscle pain is a major symptom of patients with Temporomandibular Disorders, the most common form of non-dental orofacial pain and that involves pain in or about the jaw joint and-or jaw muscles, and often limitation of jaw movement. Chronic jaw muscle pain can have a severe effect on quality of life but its diagnosis and management is difficult. Despite the widespread prevalence of chronic orofacial pains, we have little information on the central processing of chronic human orofacial pain. This proposal will improve our fundamental understanding of how jaw muscle pain is processed in the brain. The way that the central nervous system processes and represents jaw muscle pain will help explain why these pains present differently in the clinic and should provide important information on the differences between females and males in the representation of jaw muscle pain. This information on the central processing of chronic orofacial pain is crucial to inform the direction of novel or specific management strategies. Our long-term goal is to improve the diagnosis and management of patients with Temporomandibular Disorders, and the present application represents a major new direction of research.Read moreRead less
Economic Evaluation Of Alternative Pneumococcal Vaccination Strategies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$242,894.00
Summary
Pneumococcal vaccination is a readily available preventive strategy that can offer substantial protection to the elderly but it is important that we carefully evaluate the different potential strategies to ensure the most (cost-) effective approach to prevention is identified. This grant will explore alternative strategies to control pneumococcal-related disease in elderly Australians using the available vaccines.
Providing The Evidence To Guide Adult Immunisation Strategies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$492,414.00
Summary
Australia's population is ageing and strategies to improve health in older adults are necessary to prevent an increasing burden on our health system. Adult vaccination is a relatively under-researched area with great potential to prevent disease in the population. This project focuses on four common vaccine preventable disease in adults, herpes zoster (shingles), influenza, invasive pneumococcal disease and pertussis. It will identify what their impact is on the health system and what groups of ....Australia's population is ageing and strategies to improve health in older adults are necessary to prevent an increasing burden on our health system. Adult vaccination is a relatively under-researched area with great potential to prevent disease in the population. This project focuses on four common vaccine preventable disease in adults, herpes zoster (shingles), influenza, invasive pneumococcal disease and pertussis. It will identify what their impact is on the health system and what groups of adults would benefit most from vaccination.Read moreRead less
The control of epidemics requires cross-sectoral engagement across various fields such as health, government, international law and security, at both national and international levels. The changing global landscape poses an increased threat to biosecurity, calling for cross-sectoral collaborative research and engagement. Integrated Systems for Epidemic Response (ISER) will convene and lead multidisciplinary systems research in epidemic response.