Robert McLachlan is an internationally recognised clinician-scientist in male reproductive health. His basic research examines the genetic & endocrine regulation of sperm production. His clinical studies span male fertility regulation, the use of assisted reproductive treatments, and the evidence-based use of androgen replacement. As Director of Andrology Australia, he has a leading national role in professional and community education, developing research capacity and male health advocacy.
Implantation of an embryo into the uterus & development of a functional placenta are critical to initiate & continue a pregnancy. Implantation failure causes infertility and is a major bottle-neck in IVF. Placental insufficiency leads to pregnancy loss, under-developed fetuses & a life-threatening pregnancy-specific disease preeclampsia. This application will investigate how a woman’s uterus works for implantation and placental development, how to increase IVF success and diagnose & potentially ....Implantation of an embryo into the uterus & development of a functional placenta are critical to initiate & continue a pregnancy. Implantation failure causes infertility and is a major bottle-neck in IVF. Placental insufficiency leads to pregnancy loss, under-developed fetuses & a life-threatening pregnancy-specific disease preeclampsia. This application will investigate how a woman’s uterus works for implantation and placental development, how to increase IVF success and diagnose & potentially treat preeclampsia.Read moreRead less
Translating Oocyte Biology Discoveries To New Clinical Practices
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$772,605.00
Summary
A/Professor Gilchrist is a reproductive biologist studying factors that regulate the intrinsic quality of unfertilised eggs. He has produced and patented the use of unique growth factors produced by the egg that enhance egg quality in women. Bringing together industry and a world-leading clinic, he is developing new forms of hormone-free infertility treatment which he will take to clinical practice over the next 5 years.
Reproductive health critically impacts a woman’s wellbeing, irrespective of her choice to have children. The ovary and its hormones govern physiological events regulating health at puberty, across the menstrual cycle, during the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy, and in parturition, lactation and menopause. The major health burdens concerning ovaries that we are studying include polycystic ovarian syndrome and assisted reproductive technologies used to treat infertility.
Oxidative Processes In Vascular Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$851,980.00
Summary
The process that turns cut fruit brown when it is exposed to air is thought to cause disease of our blood vessels and heart as we age. Despite what we first thought, 'blocking' this oxidation process with antioxidant supplements does not lower heart disease. This is because oxidation not only causes harm but also is useful and essential for normal body function. Our research program aims to show which oxidative processes are needed for blood vessel health or cause vessel disease.
This research deals with the interaction between the reproductive system and the immune system, providing a unique perspective on two biological systems that are normally considered separately. This research may help to improve the treatment of infertility, reproductive tract infections and testicular cancer, but may also lead to new treatments for inflammatory diseases that hospitalise or kill many thousands of patients each year, and for preventing graft failure in transplant recipients.
Pathophysiology And Treatment Of Malaria In Our Region
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$951,005.00
Summary
Malaria continues to kill 420,000 people/year. I will lead a team of clinical scientists in identifying how each of the different malaria parasites cause damage to small blood vessels, kidneys and other organs, and will test whether two different drugs can improve these processes and reduce illness. Many of my previous research findings have changed malaria treatment in Australia and across SE Asia, and, where appropriate, I will use new research findings to improve treatments.
Heart failure (HF) describes where the heart cannot pump adequately to meet the bodyÍs needs. Mortality remains high; therefore, there is an urgent need for new treatment approaches. The present grant aims to: (1) evaluate treatments for patients at high-risk for future development of HF (2) examine the ability to safely withdraw unnecessary HF drugs (3) focus on the effect of HF on the kidney via novel treatment strategies (4) examine the emerging role of cancer drugs in development of HF.
Improving Outcomes In Heart Failure Through Basic, Clinical And Translational Research
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$951,005.00
Summary
Heart failure (HF) is a common, chronic cardiovascular condition characterised by a reduced capacity of the heart to function. Patients with HF have a poor quality of life and significantly reduced survival. My proposed programme of research will improve the understanding of heart failure (HF) and lead to better treatments.
Dr Gilchrist is a reproductive biologist studying factors that regulate the intrinsic quality of unfertilised eggs. He has developed a new form of hormone-free infertility treatment which he will test in a clinical trial over the next 5 years.