Our overall objective is to significantly improve the efficacy and efficiency of image-guided neurosurgery for brain tumours by including realistic computation of brain deformations, based on a biomechanical model, in a system to improve intra-operative visualisation, navigation and monitoring. The system will create an augmented reality visualisation of the intra-operative configuration of the patient’s brain merged with high resolution pre-operative imaging data.
Improving Global Tuberculosis Control With The AuTuMN Platform
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$655,059.00
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) is the world’s leading infectious killer, with the failure of global control responsible for the vast majority of Australia’s cases. Using our robustly developed software platform, we have performed several country-level studies to predict the future burden of disease and compare the impact of alternative responses to controlling the epidemic. In this project, we will extend our platform to perform simulations at the global level and answer key questions in TB control.
Neural Computations For Predictive Coding In Visual Cortex
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$479,832.00
Summary
The project aims to use the principle of "predictive coding" - a theory that promises to be a unified theory of the brain - to understand how the visual cortex makes predictions about future events, at cellular level. This basic knowledge will not only shed light on how the cerebral cortex functions at the cellular level, but may also clarify the neuronal basis of mental conditions such as schizophrenia and autism.
Improving Patient Safety In Radiation Therapy With The Watchdog Real-time Treatment Delivery Verification System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$593,742.00
Summary
Radiation therapy is a highly effective cancer treatment with extremely high doses delivered using very complex treatment machines. Unfortunately errors have occurred resulting in cases of patient death and mistreatment. We have developed a novel method to assess the treatment delivery in real-time to prevent errors. The method uses imaging devices that are already present on the treatment machine meaning that this method could have a major impact on patient safety in modern radiation therapy.
Improved Risk Assessment For Drugs Causing Cardiac Arrhythmias
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$638,166.00
Summary
Fatal heart rhythm disturbances are an all too common side effect of many drugs. Tests that are in place to guard against this are effective, but widely considered too stringent, meaning the development of potentially useful new therapeutics has been hampered. This study will characterise the precise mechanisms by which drugs cause arrhythmias and identify specific patterns on patient ECGs associated with the risk of rhythm disturbances that can be used in more effective clinical testing.
Identification Of Testis-specific Markers Of Male Infertility
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$617,008.00
Summary
Infertility affects 1 in 20 men, and carries major health and financial burdens. Patient management is difficult because there are no tests to monitor testicular function. While sperm number is normally used, their absence in the ejaculate provides no information whether sperm are present in the testis suitable for IVF, or if sperm production could be ‘kick-started’ with hormones. Our goal is to identify new markers of testis function in blood, and then use them to help treat infertile men.
Identification And Molecular Characterisation Of High-risk Premalignant Breast Lesions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$560,382.00
Summary
Understanding the full repertoire of genetic events that underlie the development of breast cancer may allow development of prevention strategies. This study will analyse genetic data of benign breast lesions that may be non-obligate precursors of breast cancer. Importantly, clinical management of these lesions is difficult. A reliable method of predicting the risk of progression to cancer would be a significant advance, with benefits to individual patients and also the health system.
High-throughput genetic assays are commonly used to study the molecular basis of disease and such technology requires sophisticated data analysis methods that account for significant biological and experimental complexity. Specialized methods will be developed in free public software that will greatly benefit future genetic profiling studies.
The Effects Of Different Alcohol Pricing Policies On Alcohol Consumption, Health, Social And Economic Outcomes, And Health Inequality In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$276,738.00
Summary
This project will examine the effects, effectiveness and cost-benefits of alcohol pricing policy initiatives in reducing risky drinking, health and social harms and health inequalities among priority populations in Australia. This project will provide key research evidence to cut through current policy debates and will point towards the most effective potential options for alcohol tax reform.
COMPARE- Constraint Induced Or Multi-Modal Aphasia Rehabilitation: An RCT Of Therapy For Stroke Related Chronic Aphasia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,035,668.00
Summary
COMPARE is a 3 arm national randomised controlled trial comparing two types of intensive speech pathology treatment to usual care, for people with language disability 6 months to 3 years following stroke. After stratification by aphasia severity, participants are randomised to Multi-modality Aphasia Therapy, Constraint Induced Aphasia Therapy, or usual care. Cognitive, language, and speech assessments at baseline will enable sophisticated predictors of treatment responsiveness to be defined.