BDNF Genotype And Emotional Memory In Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$108,902.00
Summary
This project addresses the question of why some people develop PTSD following trauma and others don’t. It will assess the influence of genetics (specifically a genotype that influences Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor) on emotional memory processes as distressing emotional memories are a core symptom of PTSD. If we find that people with a particular genetic profile have a greater risk of developing intrusive memories after trauma, this will help us better target treatment for those individuals.
The Impact Of Early Experiences Of Stress And Depression On Cardiovascular Health: The Australian Lifestyle Of Our Kids (LOOK) Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$96,183.00
Summary
This study forms part of the LOOK study examining the link between lifestyle factors and children’s health. This research will investigate the impact of early experiences of stress and depression on cardiovascular health, whilst accounting for a set of potentially confounding variables (physical activity, fatness). The uniqueness of this study lies in the multidisciplinary approach and the breadth of measures collected. Poorer mental health is expected to predict poorer cardiovascular outcomes.
Evaluating The Anti-inflammatory, Anti-oxidant And Wound-healing Properties Of Australian Native Stingless Bee Cerumen From Trigona Carbonaria, And The Effects Of Bee Foraging Behaviours On Cerumen Bioactivity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$95,313.00
Summary
I have a keen interest in evaluating the potential of natural products to promote wound-healing in humans. Cerumen, a resinous material produced by Australian native stingless bees, is easily obtained; however, the medicinal properties of this natural product have not been widely investigated. Therefore, the proposed PhD project aims to investigate the anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and wound-healing properties of Australian native stingless bee cerumen.
Experimental And Computational Study On Biomechanical Behavior Of Osteocytes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$86,073.00
Summary
The experimental and computational methods (finite element method) are used to predict biomechanical behaviors of osteocytes under normal physiological loading, overloading or under-loading/disuse. This quantitative research will not only help to elucidate the mechanisms of mechanotransduction in osteocytes, it will provide important information that is also relevant to mechanobiology in general.
Many heart diseases are associated with impairment of energetics of the heart. Improving the heart's energetics can lead to improved survival and long-term outcomes. Perhexiline is a heart medication that works by improving the way the heart uses energy. Although effective, it is associated with long-term toxicities. Better understanding of this medication may lead to less adverse effects and also provide a basis for further investigation of drug development in the future.
Collagen II Mutations And The Unfolded Protein Response In Inherited Cartilage Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$92,314.00
Summary
In genetic diseases, gene mutations commonly cause proteins to fold abnormally. This can cause cell stress resulting in cell death. My studies will determine the role of cell stress in a clinically important group of diseases, caused by cartilage collagen mutations, that result in abnormal development of the skeleton. These studies will define the mechanisms of how cell stress causes these disorders; knowledge that will underpin the development of new therapeutic strategies
The Use Of Real-World Evidence To Support Regulatory And Reimbursement Decisions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$91,538.00
Summary
Traditionally, medicines are studied extensively in clinical trials before they are widely available. More recently, some medicines have been allowed to enter the market without complete data on their benefits and risks. This means that these issues can only be studied once a medicine is on the market and used in routine clinical practice; this is referred to as real-world evidence. This research evaluates if this evidence is sufficient to prove that a medicine is safe and that it works
Improving CPR Quality By Optimising The Language Used In CPR Instructions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$76,365.00
Summary
A mixed methods project to determine if the quality of dispatcher assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DA-CPR) can be improved by understanding and including the wording used by laypeople to describe CPR. This study will seek input from lay people through focus groups and test the effectiveness of the changes to DA-CPR instructions, with the objective to determine the impact of including these descriptions in DA-CPR instructions on the quality of CPR in a simulation study.
Joint Longitudinal And Time-to-event Models For Applications In Health Research
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$86,073.00
Summary
A recently developed statistical technique ("joint modelling") allows for both repeatedly measured biomarker data (for example, blood pressure measurements) and event time data (for example, time until death) to be analysed together. There are several potential benefits to using these models, but since the methods are relatively new their uptake in applied health research remains limited. This PhD will consist of several distinct but interrelated projects which explore the use of these models.
A Dietary Intervention For Sarcopenia In Cirrhosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$128,224.00
Summary
Patients with chronic liver failure, or cirrhosis, suffer many complications. Sarcopenia, the loss of muscle and muscle weakness, is one of these. It is associated with reduced survival. Patients with cirrhosis have low levels of branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) which are used as building blocks for protein and energy in muscle. We aim to explore how oral supplements of BCAAs might improve muscle in this population. If this improves muscle mass, we also expect it may improve other outcomes.