The Centre will enhance Australian clinical immunisation research and training, focussing upon clinical questions with translatable outcomes not easily addressed by industry. Optimal immunisation and interventions to maximise uptake of existing and new vaccines in high risk patient groups, such as children with cancer, immigrants, children with chronic diseases and adolescents will be studied. New vaccine trials, innovative use of existing vaccines, systematic collection of vaccine failure data, ....The Centre will enhance Australian clinical immunisation research and training, focussing upon clinical questions with translatable outcomes not easily addressed by industry. Optimal immunisation and interventions to maximise uptake of existing and new vaccines in high risk patient groups, such as children with cancer, immigrants, children with chronic diseases and adolescents will be studied. New vaccine trials, innovative use of existing vaccines, systematic collection of vaccine failure data, and targeted epidemiology and disease modelling vaccine preventable disease will also allow a broad program of research, enabling training and mentoring of young clinical nurse and physician researchers. Collaborations with existing national immunisation, infectious diseases and research institutions will allow maximal effectiveness of clinical studies.Read moreRead less
Reducing Vaccine Preventable Diseases In Children: Using National Active Hospital-based Surveillance To Evaluate And Improve Immunisation Program Performance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,049,916.00
Summary
This proposal aims to evaluate and improve upon immunisation policy and programs for the prevention of severe childhood influenza and pertussis. Using our successful Paediatric Active Enhanced Disease Surveillance (PAEDS) network in 6 major children's hospitals across Australia, we will identify gaps in the evidence base needed to better control influenza and pertussis and in particular to ensure programs are delivered in such a way so as to address health inequalities.
The Genitofemoral Nerve And Gubernaculum In Testicular Descent And Inguinal Hernia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$339,750.00
Summary
This project examines the mechanism of descent of the testis, which when abnormal, leads to the common anomaly in infant boys of undescended testes. In addition, the tunnel through the abdominal wall which permits testicular descent very commonly fails to close afterwards, allowing the intestines to protrude through the hole to cause an inguinal hernia, which is a tender lump in the groin,and requires surgery to resolve. Our long-term aim is to understand testicular descent and inguinal closure ....This project examines the mechanism of descent of the testis, which when abnormal, leads to the common anomaly in infant boys of undescended testes. In addition, the tunnel through the abdominal wall which permits testicular descent very commonly fails to close afterwards, allowing the intestines to protrude through the hole to cause an inguinal hernia, which is a tender lump in the groin,and requires surgery to resolve. Our long-term aim is to understand testicular descent and inguinal closure well enough to develop non-surgical treatments for these two conditions, which are the two commonest abnormalities in children requiring surgery. We will examine how male hormones control descent of the testis indirectly by altering the anatomy and function of a specific nerve suplying the groin and scrotum. A simple and safe treatment that avoided surgery would be a major advance for infants in the developing world.Read moreRead less
A Multi-centre, Double-blind, Randomised Controlled Trial To Evaluate The Efficacy Of 10 Valent-pneumococcal-Protein D Conjugate Vaccine In Reducing Respiratory Exacerbations In Children Aged ? 18 Months With Suppurative Lung Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,160,660.00
Summary
Chronic suppurative (ie infected) lung diseases in children are major causes of poor health and deaths worldwide. Repeated childhood infections contribute to poor lung health in adults. The most common organism causing infection is non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi). This study aims to determine whether a vaccine against NTHi can reduce repeated respiratory infections in children. If so, vaccination may lead to substantial improvements in current/ future lung health, and considerable dir ....Chronic suppurative (ie infected) lung diseases in children are major causes of poor health and deaths worldwide. Repeated childhood infections contribute to poor lung health in adults. The most common organism causing infection is non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi). This study aims to determine whether a vaccine against NTHi can reduce repeated respiratory infections in children. If so, vaccination may lead to substantial improvements in current/ future lung health, and considerable direct and indirect cost of disease savings.Read moreRead less
The Limb Bud As A Model For Gubernacular Migration During Inguinoscrotal Testicular Descent.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$439,073.00
Summary
This project examines the mechanism of descent of the testes from its original position inside the abdomen of the fetus to the scrotum in baby boys. When this process is abnormal, it leads to the common anomaly of undescended testes. Tha ultimate aim is to understand the process well enough to consider nonoperative treatment. The study will look at the tip of the gubernaculum, the ligament that anchors the testis to the groin early in development, and how it develops a growing tip that elongates ....This project examines the mechanism of descent of the testes from its original position inside the abdomen of the fetus to the scrotum in baby boys. When this process is abnormal, it leads to the common anomaly of undescended testes. Tha ultimate aim is to understand the process well enough to consider nonoperative treatment. The study will look at the tip of the gubernaculum, the ligament that anchors the testis to the groin early in development, and how it develops a growing tip that elongates towards the scrotum. The project will examine the factors controlling this process as well as the embryological mechanism involved.Read moreRead less
A Novel Paradigm For Immunity And Vaccine Development Against Group A Streptococcus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$491,229.00
Summary
Serious disease caused by the group A streptococcus (GAS) is responsible for more than 500,000 deaths per year. With no effective control strategies available, a vaccine is urgently needed. One vaccine shows great promise, but there are concerns it may not cover all GAS strains. Our project aims to show that the vaccine may in fact have very broad coverage because of cross-protection between strains using natural immunity model, and may lead to a new paradigm in understanding of GAS immunity.
This project examines the mechanism of descent of the testis, which when abnormal, leads to the common anomaly in children of undescended testes. Our long-term aims is to find a non-surgical treatment for undescended testes, and these studies will significantly aid in that goal. We will look at a completely new testicular hormone as well as a molecule released from nerves to determine their exact role in the mechanism. This project should allow us to understand finally one of the unresolved puzz ....This project examines the mechanism of descent of the testis, which when abnormal, leads to the common anomaly in children of undescended testes. Our long-term aims is to find a non-surgical treatment for undescended testes, and these studies will significantly aid in that goal. We will look at a completely new testicular hormone as well as a molecule released from nerves to determine their exact role in the mechanism. This project should allow us to understand finally one of the unresolved puzzles of the anatomical differences between males and females.Read moreRead less
Immunisation Practice And Policy Development In Australia: Responding To Urgent Priorities In Prevention Of Endemic And Epidemic Infectious Diseases In Children.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$401,361.00
Summary
Despite high immunisation coverage rates in Australia deaths still occur in young infants from vaccine preventable diseases such as whooping cough, meningitis and influenza. My research in vaccines and immunisation involves trialing new vaccines such as meningococcal B and H1N1 vaccine to ensure their safety and effectiveness in children and investigation of new ways to deliver vaccines to improve uptake of new vaccines in the community to ensure earlier and better protection for infants and chi ....Despite high immunisation coverage rates in Australia deaths still occur in young infants from vaccine preventable diseases such as whooping cough, meningitis and influenza. My research in vaccines and immunisation involves trialing new vaccines such as meningococcal B and H1N1 vaccine to ensure their safety and effectiveness in children and investigation of new ways to deliver vaccines to improve uptake of new vaccines in the community to ensure earlier and better protection for infants and children against severe infectious diseases.Read moreRead less