How To Address The ‘Shocking Tale Of Neglect’ In Aged Care Through Transparency, Accountability, And The Use Of High-Quality Analytics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,337,350.00
Summary
The Royal Commission into Aged Care shows that an improved understanding of how the aged care sector is caring for older Australians is a national priority. The Registry of Senior Australians, a large-scale registry database that I developed, will be used to evaluate the health and wellbeing of older Australians. This research will enable me to develop and implement a transparent outcome monitoring system and tools to address the “Shocking Tale of Neglect” older Australians are experiencing.
Patient-centred Volunteer Program For People With Dementia: A Stepped Wedge Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial Of The MyCare Ageing Program
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
The MyCare Ageing program provides hospitalised patients with dementia and/or delirium with tailored emotional and practical support via trained volunteers in hospital and in the transition home. This project will provide critical information on whether MyCare Ageing works to reduce future hospitalisations and prevent poor patient outcomes, the factors that impact on how the program is delivered in hospital and in the community, and whether the program is cost-effective.
Precision Epigenetics: Targeting The Epigenome To Treat Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,940,576.00
Summary
Epigenetic marks are changes made to the DNA that allow genes to be switched off in some cells and switched on in others. These marks are critical to normal development and often go wrong in disease. We aim to find genes that add epigenetic marks to the DNA and understand how they co-operate at the molecular level to switch genes off. Our focus is on one such gene, SMCHD1. We are developing new drugs against SMCHD1 to treat incurable neurodevelopmental disorder PWS and muscular dystrophy FSHD.
Mechanisms Of Cell Death Driven Inflammation In The Skin
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
Inflammatory skin conditions are a leading cause of disease. Current therapies treat symptoms not causes of inflammation. Skin cells constantly interact with cells of the immune system, and with a diverse array of helpful and harmful microorganisms. My data suggest a role of the skin flora and resident immune cells in the initiation and progression of skin disease. I will investigate how the microbiota and immune cells can initiate cell death and drive excessive immune responses in the skin.
Understanding And Harnessing Immunity To Fight Melanoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,138,220.00
Summary
Novel cancer therapies aimed at stimulating the body's immune defence have shown remarkable clinical success, although the immune mechanisms that can prevent disease recurrence remain poorly understood. Our study will fill this important gap in knowledge by elucidating the mechanisms of efficient immune protection from skin cancer and metastatic disease. As such, our results will be important for the development and improvement of innovative cancer therapies.
Deciphering Mechanisms Underlying Breast Cancer To Improve Patient Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,314,215.00
Summary
Breast cancer is a highly heterogeneous disease. Patients are often treated in a ‘one size fits all’ approach, but response to therapy remains disparate. To more effectively personalise therapy, there is a pressing need to define the precise cell types and initiating genetic events that give rise to breast cancer. This application is centred on understanding mechanisms of breast cancer initiation and progression, with the potential of identifying new prognostic markers and therapeutic targets.
Delineating The Role Of Fludrocortisone And Hydrocortisone In The Management Of Patients With Septic Shock
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$553,664.00
Summary
Sepsis and septic shock are leading causes of morbidity and mortality globally. Steroids have been used to treat septic shock for decades. Two new trials, one using hydrocortisone vs. placebo and another using hydrocortisone plus fludrocortisone vs. placebo have produced differing results, with fludrocortisone possibly conferring a mortality benefit. My Program will investigate this evidence gap by providing critical evidence for the design and execution of a future definitive trial.
The Implementation And Evaluation Of Living Evidence In The Management Of Chronic Kidney Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing health problem. Improving outcomes for patients with CKD requires the translation of research into clinical care. However, scientific research that underpins the management of CKD has rapidly increased, and traditional methods to summarise and inform clinical care are out of date. This project will develop, evaluate, and implement a new approach, known as ‘living-evidence’, that translates research evidence in real-time into the management of patients.
Improved Early Respiratory Support Of Infants And Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
Worldwide respiratory disease in children has the highest health care burden on society. Children aged <5 years in particular, are increasing in hospital admissions and to intensive care where the cost is elevated. New ways of oxygen therapy have been studied and shown that we can reduce ICU admission if a therapy known as Nasal High Flow (NHF) therapy is applied earlier in the progression of the disease. Further research is needed in NHF therapy and to improve upon our patient outcomes.
Improving Patient Outcomes Through Better Use Of Blood Products
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,412,250.00
Summary
Blood transfusions, used wisely, save lives. Blood must be used judiciously: it is donated by volunteers, and carries risks and great cost to the community. Although a common intervention, evidence in many areas is inadequate to formulate recommendations on how blood should be used. This research program will address national priorities where evidence is weak by undertaking clinical trials to compare transfusion strategies, evaluate alternatives to transfusion and test novel blood components.