Exposure And Risks From Persistent Organic Pollutants Through Consumption Of Traditional Seafood
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$322,042.00
Summary
For many coastal Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, local marine resources provide an important and integral aspect of the communities' diet, culture and traditions. The health benefits associated with seafood consumption have been well documented. On the other hand, many environmental contaminants accumulate in the marine environment. In particular persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have the potential to accumulate to elevated levels in the marine food chain, including humans. Cons ....For many coastal Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, local marine resources provide an important and integral aspect of the communities' diet, culture and traditions. The health benefits associated with seafood consumption have been well documented. On the other hand, many environmental contaminants accumulate in the marine environment. In particular persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have the potential to accumulate to elevated levels in the marine food chain, including humans. Consumption of food contaminated with POPs can pose a risk of causing adverse health effects, including cancer, endocrine disruption, developmental and immunotoxic responses. Recent studies in Queensland have shown elevated concentrations of POPs, specifically dioxins, in the near shore marine environment. Concentrations present in dugong and turtle tissues were found to be among the highest reported compared to other marine biota worldwide. These species represent an integral part of the traditions and diet for many coastal Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. However, to date no information on exposure to these compounds from locally sourced seafood exists in Australia. The proposed study will redress this lack of information and provide an understanding of the risks associated with the consumption of traditional seafood from local contaminated areas. In collaboration with the Quandamooka community, Moreton Bay in South East Queensland this will provide a case study with the objectives of: 1. Assessing the qualitative and quantitative risks associated with consumption of traditional and contemporary seafood sourced from local contaminated areas. 2. Providing communities with a thorough understanding of food contamination and building internationally competitive capacity in Australian Indigenous researchers. 3. Develop risk management options that allow informed decisions making on POP exposure and are acceptable to the community.Read moreRead less
Determinants Of Cytomegalovirus Salivary Gland Persistence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$566,308.00
Summary
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) persists for extended periods in the salivary gland, an organ of viral transmission. It is not clear how the virus avoids immune mediated control in this tissue. This aspect of viral pathology will be assessed in a mouse model using two strains of murine CMV which exhibit marked differences in salivary gland persistence. The role of tissue tropism (inhibition of apoptosis), viral immune evasion and host immunity in salivary gland persistence will be studied.
This program application seeks to draw on the skills of a world leading group of Australian researchers to bring novel HIV vaccine designs to clinical trials, improve vaccine design and create new opportunities for commercialisation. The Chief Investigators, Prof David Cooper, Prof Peter Doherty (Nobel Prize winner), A-Prof Stephen Kent and Prof Ian Ramshaw, have achieved major scientific developments including: innovative collaborative clinical trials, cutting edge research in T cell immunology ....This program application seeks to draw on the skills of a world leading group of Australian researchers to bring novel HIV vaccine designs to clinical trials, improve vaccine design and create new opportunities for commercialisation. The Chief Investigators, Prof David Cooper, Prof Peter Doherty (Nobel Prize winner), A-Prof Stephen Kent and Prof Ian Ramshaw, have achieved major scientific developments including: innovative collaborative clinical trials, cutting edge research in T cell immunology, the establishment of the only PC3-level nonhuman primate facility in the Southern hemisphere, T cell immunogenicity of the DNA-viral vector prime-boost vaccine regimens and ground-breaking research on cytokine co-expressing viral vector vaccines. The Principle Investigators also have a record of substantial achievement in relation to HIV and T cell biology as well as novel vaccination technologies. There is a strong history of successful collaboration among this group leading to the award of major NIH funding.Read moreRead less
Preterm Birth And Exposure To Fine Particulate Matter
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$341,068.00
Summary
Preterm birth is the single most important cause of perinatal mortality and leading cause of subsequent morbidity in the western world. This project involves an investigation of the effects of fine airborne particulates and their chemical constituents on preterm birth among half a million pregnant women in Australia and the US. Levels of particulates will be rigorously assessed using traditional methods such as chemical analyses of field samples and novel methods such as processing satellite ima ....Preterm birth is the single most important cause of perinatal mortality and leading cause of subsequent morbidity in the western world. This project involves an investigation of the effects of fine airborne particulates and their chemical constituents on preterm birth among half a million pregnant women in Australia and the US. Levels of particulates will be rigorously assessed using traditional methods such as chemical analyses of field samples and novel methods such as processing satellite imagery.Read moreRead less
The health effects of electronic cigarette use are virtually unknown. They have only recently been introduced into widespread use, and as such their effects on human health will not be known for many years. We will use our expertise in exposure models and health outcome measurement to provide timely hard-data on their potential to impact health – data that are urgently required to guide policy makers in this area.
Understanding And Ameliorating The Human Health Effects Of Exposure To Air Pollution: From Knowledge To Policy And Public Health Practice
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,584,848.00
Summary
Urban consolidation and sprawl, traffic congestion, mining, climate change, heating and cooling living environments, and power generation – these manifestations of modernity produce regular headlines. Air pollution and its effects on human health are the focus of much popular concern. This CRE will build an integrated research capacity in the field of air pollution and its effects on human health that will allow Australia to address these major challenges - now and in the future.
Advancing The Assessment Of Environmental Impacts On Human Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,180.00
Summary
Key questions and methodology challenges remain in the assessment of environmental impacts on human health. Through the Career Development Fellowship, I will lead a multidisciplinary program of research to further my research aspirations of developing advanced methods in the field of environmental health. The findings will provide epidemiological evidence that would be the basis of policies and guidelines for effective prevention of adverse health impacts from environmental factors.
CAPLA Study: Catheter Ablation For Persistent Atrial Fibrillation. A Multicentre Randomised Study Of Pulmonary Vein Antral Isolation (PVAI) Alone Vs PVAI With Posterior Left Atrial Wall Isolation (PWI)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$124,676.00
Summary
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common heart rhythm abnormality that affects quality of life with added health care costs. A minimally invasive procedure called catheter ablation (CA) is effective in controlling simple AF (paroxysmal AF) but the best ablation strategy to control a more resistant form of AF (Persistent AF) is unknown. This trial has been designed to address this key gap in knowledge by assessing if adding specific additional ablation to CA will improve outcomes.
Airway Epithelial Injury And The Innate Lymphoid Cell Response In The Pathogenesis Of Allergic Asthma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$607,559.00
Summary
Exposure to airborne particulate pollutants appears to contribute both to the development of childhood asthma and to acute severe attacks of asthma. We will investigate the mechanisms involved, using mouse models of childhood asthma and of asthma exacerbations. In particular, we will focus on the potentially critical role of a newly described population of host defence cells, and how these are activated as a result of injury of the lining cells of the airways.
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a classic example of a group of herpes viruses, which is found universally throughout all geographic locations and socioeconomic groups, and infects 50% of adults in developed countries. HCMV infection is important to certain high-risk groups. Major areas of concern are: (1) the risk of infection to unborn baby during pregnancy, (2) the risk of infection to people who work with children, and (3) the risk of infection to immunocompromised persons (e.g. organ transp ....Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a classic example of a group of herpes viruses, which is found universally throughout all geographic locations and socioeconomic groups, and infects 50% of adults in developed countries. HCMV infection is important to certain high-risk groups. Major areas of concern are: (1) the risk of infection to unborn baby during pregnancy, (2) the risk of infection to people who work with children, and (3) the risk of infection to immunocompromised persons (e.g. organ transplant patients and HIV-infected individuals). Epidemiological studies have shown that 80%-90% of developing unborn babies who acquire congenital HCMV infection displays a variable pattern of pathological sequelae within the first few years of life that may include hearing loss, vision impairment and mental retardation. There is an increasing argument that a reduction in HCMV load will have a significant effect on the sequelae associated with congenital HCMV infection. Indeed, vaccination provides the most practical modality of achieving such a reduction in HCMV load. To develop such a vaccine, formulation based on viral antigens that activate both protective cellular and humoral responses needs to be tested to assess its immunogenicity. No such vaccine is presently available for HCMV. In this application we have sought to develop a prophylactic vaccine and to test its efficacy in a immunocompetent transgenic mouse model and as well under conditions of immunosuppression (CD4 T cell deficient). The overall strategy is to use this prophylactic vaccine to stimulate the cellular (CD8+ and CD4+ T cells) and humoral responses against multiple HCMV antigens. This vaccine will be based on the novel chimeric polyepitope technology and exploits a novel replication deficient adenovirus expression system which has recently been approved for human use.Read moreRead less