Development Of A Smart Arthroscopy System And Prototype Probe For Joint Tissues
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$230,632.00
Summary
This project relates to the ever growing use of arthroscopy in the management of joint defects. An innovative probe that will combine all the molecular, microstructural and biomechanical characteristics of joint articular cartialge and bone for the purposes of diagnosis, treatment, treatment-related decisions, comparison of the effectiveness of treament methods and post treatment evaluation will be developed. This system will produce spin-offs for artrhoscopy of other soft tissues and bodies.
Brain Training In Osteoarthritis - Does It Decrease Pain?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$299,564.00
Summary
In people with osteoarthritis (OA), the amount of pain is often not related to the amount of joint damage seen on x-ray. This suggests that there are other processes contributing to their pain. Recently, the role of the brain in contributing to chronic pain has been investigated. This project aims to determine what parts of the brain are affected in people with OA. It also aims to develop new treatments that target these brain areas and determine if these brain-training treatments decrease pain.
Hydatid disease is caused by a parasitic infection that is transmitted to people by animals. The disease causes substantial human morbidity and mortality worldwide, and is endemic in Australia. Currently available drugs are poorly effective against the parasite and treatment of the disease relies mainly on surgical removal of often large parasitic cysts, where this is possible. Blood tests to identify people who are infected rely on the use of parasite samples obtained from animals, which leads ....Hydatid disease is caused by a parasitic infection that is transmitted to people by animals. The disease causes substantial human morbidity and mortality worldwide, and is endemic in Australia. Currently available drugs are poorly effective against the parasite and treatment of the disease relies mainly on surgical removal of often large parasitic cysts, where this is possible. Blood tests to identify people who are infected rely on the use of parasite samples obtained from animals, which leads to difficulties with adequate supply of material and quality control. Research in this laboratory discovered that the hydatid parasite produces a protein that binds the drug cyclosporin A and that specific antibodies are made to this protein in hydatid patients. Preliminary research by others found that cyclosporin A had anti-parasitic effects on hydatid disease in an animal model system. This research project will examine in detail the characteristics of the cyclophilin protein and related proteins, in the hydatid parasite, their interaction with cyclosporin A, the effects of cyclosporin A on the parasite in defined culture conditions, the mechanism by which cyclosporin A exerts anti-parasitic effects and the prospects for use of cyclophilin in tests for the diagnosis of human hydatid disease. The research will contribute to a better understanding of the basic biology of this pathogen and may identify improved methods for the chemotherapy and diagnosis of infection.Read moreRead less
Melanoma incidence continues to rise & it remains a leading cause of cancer death in young adults. Prevention & early detection are foundations of disease control. Drug treatments for advanced disease have recently begun to extend survival but remain ineffective in many. Utilising the extensive resources of Melanoma Institute Australia (world's largest melanoma treatment centre), this research seeks to improve outcomes of patients with difficult to treat & aggressive melanomas.
Early Detection Of Lung Cancer And Mesothelioma In Asbestos Workers At Highest Risk
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$623,268.00
Summary
Through no fault of their own, many Australian workers have been inadvertently exposed to asbestos and are at high risk of developing lung cancer and mesothelioma. With the peak incidence bearing upon us, there is an urgent need for early detection by CT.
SNAC2: A Randomised Trial Of Extending Sentinel Node Based Management To Women With Larger Or Multifocal Breast Cancers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,266,430.00
Summary
SNAC2 extends the work begun in SNAC1, which recruited 1,088 women over 4 years. SNAC1 will determine if sentinel node biopsy causes less arm problems than axillary clearance. The goal of SNAC2 is to establish the risk of local recurrence and long term safety of sentinel node biopsy, especially for women with larger or multiple tumours. SNAC2 is needed to determine whether the smaller operation gives cure rates as good as axillary clearance. If it does, then it will become standard practice.
Massively Parallel Sequencing And PCR Optimised For DNA-based Diagnostics And Discovery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$201,664.00
Summary
The next generation of medical diagnostics and discovery in disease research will involve the marriage of PCR, a tool used to amplify large amounts of DNA from small starting quantities, and �next generation� sequencing, a way to sequence lots and lots of DNA on a single instrument run. This study aims to describe methods which allow scientists to screen hundreds of disease genes in hundreds of people simultaneously with high accuracy and high efficiency.
The Diagnosis Of Obstructive Sleep Apnea In Primary Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$295,075.00
Summary
The gold standard method for diagnosis of sleep apnea is the overnight sleep study. These tests are expensive, have long waiting lists and are hard to access outside larger cities. We aim to determine if general practitioners can combine information from questionnaires and a simple home diagnostic test, to confirm or rule out sleep apnea. The results of this study will eventually lead to more accessible and efficient diagnosis and treatment of this common condition.
Can Shoe Inserts Reduce The Burden Of Kneecap Osteoarthritis?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$644,550.00
Summary
Kneecap arthritis is a leading cause of pain, disability and health expenditure in the Australian community. ‘Off-the-shelf’ shoe inserts are simple, low-cost devices that can reduce kneecap pain in young adults, and are accessible to all Australians. This project investigates whether ‘off-the-shelf’ shoe inserts improve pain in older adults with kneecap arthritis over 12 months, and evaluates the relationship between cost and patient benefits.