Interdisciplinary Insights Into The Rational Design Of Malaria Therapy And Vaccines
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Malaria is a global health concern with almost half a million deaths annually. There is an urgent need for a highly effective malaria vaccine and new antimalarials. However, despite decades of research into this pathogen, our understanding of what causes illness in a person and how immunity operates is limited. This project will use a mathematical modelling approach to provide a new way to understand infection, as a rapidly changing and intricate process.
Improving The Bioavailability Of Peptide-based Therapeutics For The Treatment Of Multiple Sclerosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$341,123.00
Summary
Many diseases are controlled at the molecular level by proteins and their interactions with other proteins. Harmonin is a key protein in Usher syndrome, the most common form of deaf-blindness in humans, and harmonin has similarities to some proteins involved in Alzheimer’s disease. We seek to understand how harmonin works. The findings of this study may lead to new treatments for deaf-blindness and Alzheimer’s disease.
Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnoea And Motor Control
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$302,798.00
Summary
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea is a major health concern, affecting at least 4% of the population, associated with obesity, and aging. The symptoms of sleep apnoea are definitively associated with cardiovascular complications. I am focused on understanding how sleep apnoea patients are remodelled with the rewiring of connections between the brain and muscles. Using neurophysiological techniques, this project will study how the anatomy and functional connections of circuits change with sleep apnoea.
Neural Control Of Human Respiratory Muscles In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$450,132.00
Summary
This research examines how human inspiratory muscles that ‘pump’ air into the lungs are controlled in health and disease. We will study the interaction between automatic and voluntary control of breathing, about which very little is known. The control of breathing in patients who breathe against an inspiratory load (eg. asthma) and mechanically ventilated patients will be a focus of this research. Outcomes include better understanding of the control of breathing and improved patient care.
The Classification Of Motor Function Impairment In Chronic Neck Pain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$117,228.00
Summary
Disability due to painful neck disorders is a serious health issue. Changes in control of neck movement and muscle function are known problems in neck pain sufferers yet management of these issues remains poorly understood. This project aims to develop classifications that better identify movement and muscle problems in the neck with the goal to facilitate better rehabilitation. This project is likely to significantly improve the management of neck pain in the community.
Harnessing New Media To Translate Prevention Research Evidence In To Practice And Policy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$321,414.00
Summary
This project is focused on two key priority areas of prevention research: tobacco control and obesity. The main aim of this project is to strengthen the knowledge base and evidence-based application of new media for preventive health initiatives.The research will provide missing insight into how to use new media more effectively to translate prevention research findings in to policy and programs.