Single-Beat Preload Recruitable Stroke Work Measurement Of Cardiac Contractility In Three Mammalian Models.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$241,980.00
Summary
The accurate measurement of the inherent pumping capacity of the heart muscle is difficult because (i) most measurements currently in use cannot accurately discriminate between the contribution of the heart muscle and that of the vascular system to the results obtained, and (ii) the measurements which can discriminate currently require invasive measurements and procedures that frequently restrict their use. The overall purpose of this proposal is to more rigorously validate a promising method we ....The accurate measurement of the inherent pumping capacity of the heart muscle is difficult because (i) most measurements currently in use cannot accurately discriminate between the contribution of the heart muscle and that of the vascular system to the results obtained, and (ii) the measurements which can discriminate currently require invasive measurements and procedures that frequently restrict their use. The overall purpose of this proposal is to more rigorously validate a promising method we have developed that will (i) make accurate assessment possible from a single cardiac beat in both experimental animals and human subjects; (ii) reduce the number of experimental animals required for such measurements by permitting sequential measurements in the same animals; (iii) make it possible to perform such measurements non-invasively in human subjects.Read moreRead less
PROTEIN PROFILING FOR THE IDENTIFICATION AND MONITORING OF LYSOSOMAL STORAGE DISORDERS AND OTHER NEUROLOGICAL DISEASES
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$469,500.00
Summary
Lysosomal storage disorders (LSD) are a group of more than 45 progressive genetic diseases, that result from the absence or impaired function of a specific enzyme in each of the body's cells. Lysosomes rid the cell of excess waste. Impaired enzyme function halts this process and waste begins to accumulate (or 'store') in the cell. Disease severity and patient longevity is variable, but severely affected patients often die by their mid-teens. LSD can affect the skeleton and joints, respiratory an ....Lysosomal storage disorders (LSD) are a group of more than 45 progressive genetic diseases, that result from the absence or impaired function of a specific enzyme in each of the body's cells. Lysosomes rid the cell of excess waste. Impaired enzyme function halts this process and waste begins to accumulate (or 'store') in the cell. Disease severity and patient longevity is variable, but severely affected patients often die by their mid-teens. LSD can affect the skeleton and joints, respiratory and cardiovascular systems, the brain, the eyes, the ears and the airways. As affected children become older, symptoms worsen. Patients often require frequent hospitalisation, and medical and surgical intervention. Approximately 10 to 15% of the general population are affected or carriers of an LSD. In Australia, one LSD child is born in every 5,000 live births. Diagnosis often takes several years, and families often have other children before their affected child is diagnosed. LSD are, therefore, a considerable burden to not only the families but also to the health care system. The goal of the Lysosomal Diseases Research Unit is Diagnosis at birth and effective therapy for lysosomal storage disorders. To this end we have been working toward the development of a newborn screening program for LSD and improved methods for the diagnosis and monitoring of therapy in this group of diseases. In this project we propose to develop and evaluate the use of protein profiling (looking at many diagnostic markers at the same time) to achieve these goals. The technology developed in this project will have potential application beyond LSD. Lysosomal dysfunction has been implicated in Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease; in addition lysosomal proteins are reported to be involved in the spread of some cancers and may be useful markers for early detection. We will collaborate with other research groups to further develop protein profiling in these areas.Read moreRead less
Cleavage Methods Of Mutation Detection: Improvement And Application In Cardiovascular Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,044,349.00
Summary
Genes contain the information to build our body and keep it operating normally. These genes are inherited from our parents and number around 100,000. Faults in these genes can cause inherited diseases such as cystic fibrosis, cancers and common disorders such as Asthma and diabetes. These genes need detecting so that particular genes can be identified as causing the disease and also so that patients can have their disease properly diagnosed so that proper therapy and information can be given to ....Genes contain the information to build our body and keep it operating normally. These genes are inherited from our parents and number around 100,000. Faults in these genes can cause inherited diseases such as cystic fibrosis, cancers and common disorders such as Asthma and diabetes. These genes need detecting so that particular genes can be identified as causing the disease and also so that patients can have their disease properly diagnosed so that proper therapy and information can be given to the patients. In future similar changes (but changes not causing disease) may be searched for in patients to overcome the side effects of drugs. Our centre specializes in the methods of detecting faults and their application. Two of our methods are being used around the world and one is being sold as simple kit. These methods still have drawbacks and the work proposed is to overcome some of these. We propose to apply our and other methods to faults in genes which have recently been shown to cause diseases of the artery. This is an exciting new development that shows that this disease is similar to cancer. We are fortunate to have attracted Dr Paula Bray from the laboratory which discovered this. This new finding needs to be studied in more detail and may identify life-style factors which cause coronary heart disease. Our studies will also assist in gene therapy when it becomes available.Read moreRead less
Genotypes And Phenotypes Of Human Primary Non-congenital Antibody Deficiency
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$544,692.00
Summary
Antibodies represent a key component of the immune system, and a particularly important in defence against bacterial and viral infections. In some individuals, antibody production fails, rendering them more susceptible to infection. In most cases, the mechanism of antibody failure is unknown. This project seeks to determine the genetic and cellular mechanisms of antibody failure. This could improve diagnosis for immune deficiency, and improve our overall understanding of the immune system.
Consumer Information Materials And A Communication Aid For Diagnostic Tests For Breast Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$105,863.00
Summary
Many studies have now shown that the majority of patients want to participate in clinical decisions about medical treatments they might receive. As a result, information materials are being developed to help consumers and doctors work together to reach satisfying treatment decisions which are based on the best available evidence and also reflect the individual patient's needs and preferences about the treatment options. Very little is known, however, about whether consumers also want to particip ....Many studies have now shown that the majority of patients want to participate in clinical decisions about medical treatments they might receive. As a result, information materials are being developed to help consumers and doctors work together to reach satisfying treatment decisions which are based on the best available evidence and also reflect the individual patient's needs and preferences about the treatment options. Very little is known, however, about whether consumers also want to participate in decisions about whether to have a medical test. Tests can be trivial, such as a blood or urine test, or quite major and invasive, such as a biopsy or a colonoscopy. People considering a medical test might want to know the answers to the following questions: What is my chance of having the disease being tested for? If the test result is positive what is the chance I have the disease? If the test result is negative what is the chance I have the disease anyway? How will the test result influence treatment of my condition? What are possible side-effects of the test? Generally information materials about medical tests only describe the test itself, and do not contain the information people need to answer these questions. Even doctors may not have to hand the data needed to answer these questions. Yet without this information, consumers cannot make truly informed and rational choices about whether to have the test. This project aims to find out whether consumers want to participate in decisions about medical tests, what information they would want to do this, and to develop and trial information materials and a communication aid for a small number of breast cancer tests. We will use tests for diagnosing breast cancer as our model but we anticipate the work will be applicable across a wide range of medical tests.Read moreRead less
Cancer And Low-dose Radiation - Possible Effects Of CT Scans In Childhood
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$476,650.00
Summary
Despite 100 years of research there is uncertainty about effects of low dose radiation from background and medical X-rays. We will measure the incidence of cancer in Australians exposed to CT scans (medical X-rays) as children between 1985 and 2005. Our results, from follow-up to 2009, will show whether there is a small but signicantly increased risk of cancer and guide further improvement in radiation safety standards if these prove to be necessary.
Microevolution And Transmission Of MRSA In A Hospital Setting
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$623,300.00
Summary
Multi-drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) cause hospital-acquired infections and are responsible for unnecessary illness and excess health costs. It is hard to identify how different strains spread and which are most likely to cause disease, without a rapid, simple fingerprinting system. We have developed one, which we will use to identify the most _successful� MRSA strains. Then we will sequence their whole genomes, to determine why they are _successful� to devise ways to combat them.
Molecular Classification Of Carcinoma Of Unknown Primary
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$418,250.00
Summary
Carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP) is the fourth largest cause of cancer death. The condition has a particularly poor outlook, with a median survival of less than one year. Current methods for diagnosis of CUP include histopathology and sophisticated imaging. These are successful in approximately 40% of cases. Frequently the reason for the poor outcome in this disease is that the 60% of patients with CUP for whom no diagnosis is made do not benefit from chemotherapy specifically designed for a p ....Carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP) is the fourth largest cause of cancer death. The condition has a particularly poor outlook, with a median survival of less than one year. Current methods for diagnosis of CUP include histopathology and sophisticated imaging. These are successful in approximately 40% of cases. Frequently the reason for the poor outcome in this disease is that the 60% of patients with CUP for whom no diagnosis is made do not benefit from chemotherapy specifically designed for a particular tumour origin. These patients receive a less effective, generic, chemotherapy. The aim of this project is to use microarrays to identify the gene expression profile in many known tumours to create a molecular fingerprint of the various tumour types. By comparing the fingerprint from a CUP with the database we should be able to identify the true tumour type in CUP, and allow patients to benefit from more specific chemotherapy.Read moreRead less