OptiMalVax: Optimizing A Deployable High Efficacy Malaria Vaccine
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$494,618.00
Summary
In this proposal, a consortium comprising many of the leading malariologists, vaccine researchers and product developers in Europe, USA, Australia and Africa will collaborate in an exciting programme of antigen discovery science linked to rapid clinical development of new vaccine candidates against malaria.
Harnessing Lipid-reactive Immunity To Combat Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$341,458.00
Summary
Critcial to the survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB) is its unique waxy (lipid)-rich cell wall. This proposal aims to target components of its cell wall to devlop novel therapeutic strategies. Specifically, the Australian-Singapore alliance will examine how the immune system "sees" lipid based antigens from M. tuberculosis, and then will ultimately use this information towards the devlopment of novel lipid-based vaccines.
Optimising Exercise Prescription For Brain Health In Older Adults At Risk Of Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$594,123.00
Summary
To reduce dementia burdens in the community, cost effective and targeted early regenerative strategies are critical. Engaging in frequent aerobic exercise is one strategy that can delay the onset and slow the progression of dementia. However, prescription is limited by an incomplete understanding of how exercise positively influences brain health. Here I will investigate the influence of current exercise levels, intensity and exercise environment on brain health in adults at risk of dementia.
Implications Of Retinal Neurodegeneration In Alzheimer's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$602,213.00
Summary
Recent research has shown that “early signs” of Alzheimer ’s disease (AD) can be detected in the eyes. My research focus is to determine which particular changes in the retina are associated with AD. I will also investigate if blocking the production of beta amyloids (proteins produced in AD) in the eye will indeed help reduce their load in the brain and hence delay the onset of AD. Results from this research maybe used for early diagnosis and future medicinal studies that target the eye in AD.
Stand Up To Dementia: Reducing Prolonged Sitting To Improve Cognitive Function In Older Adults
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$603,901.00
Summary
Australia has an ageing population, resulting in more people being diagnosed with dementia. Prolonged sitting - (a behaviour that is very common amongst older adults) may increase the risk of cognitive decline and thus developing dementia. This study aims to further explore the relationship of sitting with dementia and cognitive function by using objective measures of sitting and also to develop programs and resources to reduce prolonged sitting which are informed by consumers.
Improving Human FMRI Through Modeling And Imaging Microvascular Dynamics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$486,144.00
Summary
In this project we aim to establish a reliable vascular baseline to improve mapping of both small-scale functional architecture and large-scale brain networks in functional human brain mapping using MRI. By mapping the grey matter vasculature with high detail in both humans and animals, and by computing and matching of these atlases across species we will be able to validate this approach in vivo to confirm the better spatial specificity of the newly developed approach.
Formulating New Goals For Global Health And Proposing New Governance For Global Health That Will Allow The Achievement Of These Goals
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$469,017.00
Summary
The Millennium Development Goals have guided global development since 2000, and are due for evaluation in 2015. Attention is now turning to New Health-Related Goals, with a governance structure to support their implementation. Australian researchers are joining a Go4Health consortium of 13 research institutions to research the development of these goals, examining the input of United Nations agencies and key donors into the process, together with communities, civil society and governments.
Working Longer: Policy Reforms And Practice Innovations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,162,805.00
Summary
A popular response to increased longevity is to suggest that older workers should work longer. But working longer involves changes to established policies, practices, and institutions, which are currently built around retiring earlier. The project will forecast demographic and health transition in Australia and develop capacity to analyze the likely economic and workplace adjustments that population ageing will generate. It will examine the extent to which ñworking longerî is an appropriate resp ....A popular response to increased longevity is to suggest that older workers should work longer. But working longer involves changes to established policies, practices, and institutions, which are currently built around retiring earlier. The project will forecast demographic and health transition in Australia and develop capacity to analyze the likely economic and workplace adjustments that population ageing will generate. It will examine the extent to which ñworking longerî is an appropriate response to this transition, and analyze how the labour market for older workers might evolve, taking account of individual circumstances (health, financial status, dependant care) and institutional practices (age discrimination, employment conditions, work organization), as well as regulatory and policy impacts. The overall objective of the program is to develop a multi-disciplinary knowledge base to inform integrated policy and institutional (or practice) improvement in the labour market for the elderly. Its contribution will be to improve the institutional and policy framework within which households and firms operate, with the aim of modifying workplace practices and policy and institutional constraints to encourage a more vibrant labour market for older workers. Specifically the program of research will: Assess the demographic and economic impacts of working longer under alternative policy and institutional (practice) scenarios; Provide alternative pension, superannuation, finance and taxation designs to encourage labour force participation of older people; Identify employment strategies to enhance the health and safety of older workers; Develop strategies to facilitate workforce re-entry of older workers, including gender-specific considerations; and Provide an integrated set of recommendations to create policy and practice partnerships which facilitate a labour market conducive to increased mature-age participation.Read moreRead less
LIFEPATH: Life-course Biological Pathways Underlying Social Differences In Healthy Ageing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,466.00
Summary
Healthy ageing varies across society due to environmental, behavioural and social circumstances that affect peoples’ lives. To improve our ability to change this we will investigate suspected biological mechanisms over the life course. Using repeated blood samples collected during a large prospective study, we will measure a very large number of biological markers and analyse these combined with lifestyle and behavioural information to identify the modifiable predictors of healthy ageing.
Hendra virus (HeV) cause a disease transmitted from bats to horses which in turn infect humans and other horses. There are no drugs or vaccines for HeV. Since humans are infected by inhalation, a vaccine that can generate antibody in the lung and protect from infection will be ideal. We have found that a natural sugar called mannan used with virus proteins and administered via the nostrils to generate such responses. In this project we will prepare this vaccine and use it in a mouse model of HeV ....Hendra virus (HeV) cause a disease transmitted from bats to horses which in turn infect humans and other horses. There are no drugs or vaccines for HeV. Since humans are infected by inhalation, a vaccine that can generate antibody in the lung and protect from infection will be ideal. We have found that a natural sugar called mannan used with virus proteins and administered via the nostrils to generate such responses. In this project we will prepare this vaccine and use it in a mouse model of HeV infection to see if it can protect the mice.Read moreRead less