Brain and Mental Health Research
Brain and Mental Health Research
Brain & Mental Health

Addiction Imaging
Project Grant
Researchers:

Adrian Dunlop, Dr Amanda Brown, Dr Chris Dayas, A/Prof Peter Stanwell.

Bringing CLARITY to brain cancer
Project Grant
Researchers:

Mr Jamie Flynn, William Palmer, Antony Martin, Craig Gedye

Description:

Cancer is an invasive, adaptive process that interacts and adapts to the microenvironment, subjugating the normal tissue around it to optimise growth and survival.

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Neuroimaging extension study for Cannabis Dependent Patients in an RCT of Cannabinoid Replacement Therapy (Sativex®)
Project Grant
Researchers:

Conjoint Associate Professor Adrian Dunlop, Dr Amanda Brown, Dr Chris Dayas, Associate Professor Peter Stanwell.
 

Greaves Family Early Career Support Grants
Project Grant
Researchers:
Description:

The Greaves Family Early Career Support grant will ensure Dr Andrew Gardner from the Brain and Mental Health can continue to grow his research program in Sports Concusion continue to propel him forward as a nationally and internationally recognised concussion researcher.

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Equal Futures Award
Project Grant
Researchers:

Suzanne Snodgrass

Description:

Completing these projects successfully and on time will enable me to more effectively leverage for project funding in 2016.

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Newcastle Innovation Commercialisation in Medical Research Grant - Drug Treatment for Myopia
Project Grant
Researchers:
Description:

Myopia (short-sightedness) is at epidemic levels across the world: in parts of Asia over 90% of young people are afflicted and in Australia and the USA the prevalence has doubled in recent years1.

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Development of a laboratory model to study adult motoneurons
Project Grant
Researchers:

Dr Melissa Tadros, Professor Robert Callister
 

Description:

Motoneuron disease (MND) is an incurable illness that affects one’s ability to move and interact with the environment. 

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Are problems with social skills related to poor quality of life for people with a diagnosis of dementia?
Project Grant
Researchers:

Dr Michelle Kelly, Professor Skye McDonald, Dr Tracy Brown, Ms Katryna Harman

Description:

​There are currently more than 342,000 people living with dementia in Australia, and an estimated 1.2 million people caring for them.

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Dizzy and Deaf – restoring signals from the inner ear
Project Grant
Description:

Hearing and balance problems arise due to ageing, environmental assaults, medications, disease, and genetic disorders. 

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Blocking the negative effects of stress on the brain to promote better healing of the brain after stroke
Project Grant
Researchers:

Associate Professor Frederick Rohan Walker, Dr Lin Ong, Dr Ming Yang, Associate Professor Sarah Johnson

Description:

It has recently been recognised that many stroke patients can experience what is known as ‘chronic phase decline” associated with gradual, but very significant, declines in both motor and cognitive function.

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Magnetic resonance spectroscopic GABA scanning of brain of MS patients for biochemical changes
Project Grant
Researchers:
Description:

Magnetic resonance imaging is not only important in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis but also to monitor therapy.

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The effect of treatment on patients with Multiple Sclerosis
Project Grant
Description:

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most common non-traumatic neurological disorder that affects young adults.

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Can methylfolate improve the treatment of Alzheimer's disease patients, alone or in combination with the drug, Memantine
Project Grant
Description:

Scanned version on file - Dev team have editable description

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E&J Thomas Medical Research Scholarship (extension)
Scholarship
Researchers:

Ms Ashlee Dunn

CLARITY Microscope
Equipment Grant
Researchers:

Dr Jamie Flynn, Anthony Martin, William Palmer

Description:

The CLARITY Microscope is a new technology that enables 3D imaging of tissues. It has caught the imagination and attention of one of our major donors who granted $150,000 to build a microscope here at HMRI as a shared service.

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Joshua - Atkins Emlyn and Jennie Thomas Medical Research Postgraduate Scholarship
Scholarship
Researchers:

Mr Joshua Atkins, Associate Professor Murray Cairns, Dr Chantel Fitzsimmons
 

Description:

Schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders are among the world’s most debilitating brain diseases.

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A better understanding of intracranial pressure changes after brain injury
Project Grant
Description:

Funding will be used to conduct preliminary studies of the effects of increased brain pressure (intracranial pressure) on blood flow after stroke.

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Analyses of epigenetic signatures of post-mortem lesions in MS brains and correlation to circulating body fluids
Scholarship
Researchers:

C A/Prof Jeannette Lechner-Scott, Katherine Sanders, Rebecca Seeto

Description:

MS is a chronic, life-long, disease which has no cure.

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Novel Mechanisms of ‘Stroke-in-Progression’: Intracranial pressure elevation and collateral blood vessel failure after minor stroke
Project Grant
Researchers:

Dr Neil Spratt, Dr Damien McLeod

Description:

Ischaemic stroke, caused by blood clot blocking an artery to the brain, is a leading cause of death and disability.

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Travel Grant - AACR Conference, USA, April 2016 - Moira Graves
Travel Grant
Tenecteplase versus Alteplase for Stroke Thrombolysis Evaluation (TASTE) trial
Project Grant
Researchers:

Cancer Research
Cancer Research
Cancer

BAALC - a novel target for the development of new treatments for brain cancer.
Project Grant
Description:

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Brain cancer is the 15th most common cancer in the world, and has one of the worst survival rates of all cancer types, with only approximately half of patients surviving for one year post-diagnosis. This poor survival rate highlights that new treatments for brain cancer are urgently required.

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Defining and predicting clinical toxicity in GBM patients undergoing temozolomide-radiation treatment: A multivariate study.
Project Grant
Researchers:

Dr James Lynam, Jennette Sakoff, Jenny Martin, Lisa Lincz, Mike Fay, Giovana Celli Marchett, Peter Galettis

Description:

Annually there are 2,000 new cases of brain cancer in Australia. Prognosis for people with brain cancer is dire. It is the highest cause of death in 0-39 age group with a 5-year survival rate of 19%. Brain cancer results in 5,000 hospitalisations per year (average stay 12.5 days, the longest of any cancer) and has the highest lifetime cost per patient of $1.89m.

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Nerves and Neurotrophins as New Therapeutic Targets in Cervical Cancer
Project Grant
Researchers:

Professor Hubert Hondermarck, Phil Jobling, Marjorie Walker, Janine Lombard, Jay Pundavela, Sam Faulkner

Description:

A new paradigm shift in oncology has revealed the role of nerves in cancer initiation and progression.

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Development of a chemotherapy test for ovarian cancer
Project Grant
Researchers:

Dr Nikola Bowden, Dr Jim Scurry, Dr Geoff Otton, Dr Ken Jaaback, Dr Janine Lombard

Description:

To develop a test for predicting ovarian cancer response/resistance to cisplatin chemotherapy that can be quickly implemented in clincial centres.

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Tour de Cure Travel Grant - AACR Conference, USA, April 2016 - Chloe Warren
Travel Grant
Researchers:

Mrs Susan Goode, Chloe Warren
 

The development of new drugs that selectively target breast cancer
Project Grant
Researchers:
Description:

More than 3,000 women die of breast cancer each year in Australia.

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Improving the effectiveness of a new treatment for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)
Project Grant
Researchers:

Dr Kathryn Skelding, Dr Mengna Chi, Dr Nicole Verrills, Dr Roger Liang

Description:

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is the most common acute leukaemia affecting adults, and accounts for ~20% of childhood leukaemias.

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A novel approach to destruct melanoma
Project Grant
Description:

Australia has the highest incidence of melanoma in the world and kills more young Australians aged 20–34 years old than any other single cancer. 

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Laying the Foundations for Improved Treatments for IDH-Mutated Glioma
Project Grant
Researchers:

Dr Helen Wheeler, Dr Viive Howell, Associate Professor Michael Back and Professor Stephen Ackland
 

Description:

While a diagnosis of a brain tumour is devastating and life-changing, low grade brain tumours initially have a relatively slow moving clinical course and good prognosis.

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20th Annual Society for Neuro-Oncology Annual Scientific Meeting and Education Day, San Antonio, Texas, 19-22 November 2015
Travel Grant
Researchers:

Ms Marina Kastelan
 

Description:

I would propose to attend the 20th Annual Society for Neuro-Oncology Annual Scientific Meeting and Education Day November 19-22, 2015 - San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter, San Antonio, Texas.

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8th COGNO Annual Scientific Meeting, Brisbane, 22-24 October 2015
Travel Grant
Researchers:
Description:

Dr Craig Gedye will use his Mark Hughes Foundation Travel Grant to join top national and international researchers at the COGNO (Co-operative Trials Group for Neuro-Oncology) meeting in Brisbane.

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American Society for Therapeutic Radiation Oncology Meeting, San Antonio, Texas, 18-21 October 2015
Travel Grant
Researchers:

Dr Mike Fay

Description:

Dr Mike Fay is a Calvary Mater Newcastle radiation oncologist and used his Mark Hughes Foundation Travel Grant to attend the ‘Technology meets patient care’ American Society for Therapeutic Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) meeting in San Antonio, Texas, from October 18-21.  This grant will help Mike in his goal to develop better brain tumour imaging and therapeutics.

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Inaugural International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference, New York, 16-19 September 2015
Travel Grant
Researchers:

Dr Viive Howell

Description:

Funding is requested to attend the Inaugural International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference, September 16 -19, 2015, in New York, New York, USA. 

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8th COGNO Annual Scientific Meeting, Brisbane, 22-24 October 2015
Travel Grant
Researchers:

Dr Adrian Lee
 

Description:

Dr Adrian Lee is also attending Dr Lee the COGNO Annual Scientific Meeting in Brisbane this month to present data on the use of the drug Bevacizumab in Glioma (a tumour that begins in the brain’s glial cells). 

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8th COGNO Annual Scientific Meeting, Brisbane, 22-24 October 2015
Travel Grant
Researchers:

Dr Pia Laegdsgaard, Ms Demi Lund
 

Description:

Pia Laegdsgaard will use her Mark Hughes Foundation travel grant to present at the COGNO Annual Scientific Meeting in Brisbane this month. Pia has developed a research poster outlining the processes involved in establishing and managing the brain cancer facility as part of the HCB.

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A novel approach to cancer therapy - targeting patients with loss of a specific tumour suppressor gene
Project Grant
Description:

Cancer is the leading cause of death in Australia. Each year over 120,000 Australian’s will be diagnosed with cancer, and tragically, more than 42,000 patients will die from this disease. 

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Development of a chemotherapy response/resistance test for ovarian cancer
Project Grant
Researchers:
Description:

Ovarian cancer is usually treated with a chemotherapy drug called cisplatin which works by damaging DNA so much that the tumour cells die. 

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Cardiovascular Research
Cardiovascular Research
Cardiovascular

Award for Mid Career Research - Phil Morgan
HMRI Award for Mid Career Research
Greaves Family Early Career Support Grants
Project Grant
Description:

The Greaves Family Early Career Support grant will enure Myles Young can extend his research with the SHED-IT weight loss program to  achieve his goal of becoming an independent and internationally reputable early career researcher in the Hunter Region.

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The effects of dopamine and droperidol on the cardiorespiratory responses to severe hypoxaemia
Project Grant
Researchers:

Professor Anthony Quail, Associate Professor David Cottee
 

Description:

Dopamine and droperidol are drugs used in modern anaesthetic practice. Both drugs are known to modulate carotid body function via an action on dopamine type-2 receptors. 

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Improving the accuracy of lower limb vascular assessment in people with diabetes
Project Grant
Researchers:

Dr Vivienne Chuter, Ms Peta Craike
 

Description:

Diabetes is associated with significant risk of disease of both the large and small blood vessels.

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IMCAS World Congress 2016 - 18th Edition - January 28th to 31th, Paris
Travel Grant
Researchers:

Ms Kristine Pezdirc

Description:

Funding to  IMCAS is devoted to education in the field of cosmetic dermatology, cosmetic surgery and cosmeceuticals.

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Emlyn and Jennie Thomas Medical Research Postgraduate Scholarship
Scholarship
Researchers:

Ms Lisa Spencer, Professor Clare Collins, Dr Megan Rollo, Dr Melinda Hutchesson

Description:

The aim of my PhD is to investigate effective and innovative approaches to managing weight during pregnancy and following childbirth.

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The Effects of Midazolam on Respiratory and Cardiovascular Control Mechanisms During Severe Arterial Hypoxia
Project Grant
Researchers:

Associate Professor Anthony Quail, Associate Professor David Cottee

Description:

Many commonly used anaesthetic drugs alter respiratory and cardiovascular control mechanisms, interfering with the life-preserving homeostatic reflexes.

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Pregnancy & Reproduction Research
Pregnancy & Reproduction Research
Pregnancy & Reproduction

Equal Futures Award
Project Grant
Researchers:
Description:

Kirsty will use The Equal Futures funding to attend the 2016 National Higher Education Women Leadership Summit in Melbourne 2016. 

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Understanding female fertility: The importance of cytokine signalling in premature menopause
Project Grant
Researchers:
Description:

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is the early loss of ovarian function before age 40.

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The prediction and prevention of hypoglycaemia using insulin suspension in a randomised controlled trial (PLGM study)
Project Grant
Researchers:

Associate Professor Bruce King

Regulation of estrogen activation in human parturition
Project Grant
Researchers:

Dr Gemma Masden, Dr Sharyn Rayner
 

Description:

Preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal death and sickness and so the prevention of preterm labour is one of the major goals in obstetrics.

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Understanding suicide in young Australians
Project Grant
Researchers:

Professor Chris Doran, Dr Rod Ling
 

Description:

Suicidal behaviour has gained recognition worldwide as a significant public health problem. 

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Do we need to intervene in preterm infants with a patent ductus arteriosus?
Project Grant
Researchers:
Description:

Preterm birth continues to be a major health problem throughout the world. 

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A safer way of treating premature labour and post-partum haemorrhage
Project Grant
Description:

The charitable purpose of this grant is to deliver liposomes, coated with an antibody that recognizes the oxytocin receptor (OTR), directly to the muscle of the uterus.

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Achieving Targeted Delivery of Drugs to Uterine Muscle in Women for the Prevention of Preterm Labour
Project Grant
Description:

Premature birth is the most common reason for a newborn baby to die. Unfortunately, current treatments for premature birth are not very effective.

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JDRF Travel Grant Award - American Diabetes Association in June in San Francisco
Project Grant
Researchers:

Ms Megan Patterson, Associate Professor Bruce King, Dr Carmel Smart, Dr Prudence Lopez
 

Gomeroi gaaynggal Community ArtsHealth
Project Grant
Researchers:
Description:

Funding to support the Gomeroi gaaynggal Community ArtsHealth running in Tamworth - covers art consumables which brings participants into the centre to participate in health screening and research being conducted.

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Is placental aging the key to understanding, predicting and preventing stillbirth?
Fellowship
Researchers:
Description:

Globally, nearly 1% of all pregnancies end in stillbirth (3 million each year). The magnitude and gravity of stillbirth is such that in 2011 an entire Lancet series was devoted to it and urged a strong call to action, concluding that greater knowledge of causes is a key health priority. In Australia, stillbirth accounts for around 70% of all perinatal deaths (7 deaths per day) and is nearly 40 times more common than Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Existing knowledge has had no impact on reducing the stillbirth rate, and a 2013 BMJ review of the UK data on stillbirth concluded "preventive strategies need to focus on improving antenatal detection".

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Public Health Research
Public Health Research
Public Health

Improving uptake of colorectal cancer screening among primary care attendees
Scholarship
Researchers:
Description:

Despite innovative programs to increase colorectal cancer (CRC) screening amongst people >50 years of age, such the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP), current screening rates are low.

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SKOLL Global Threats
Project Grant
Researchers:

Dr Craig Dalton
 

Award for Research Excellence - Julie Byles
HMRI Award for Research Excellence
Researchers:
Equal Futures Award
Project Grant
Researchers:

Nicole Byrne

Description:

Nicole will use the Equal Futures grant funding for individual academic writing coaching for publication and grant applications to enable her to achieve her goal of moving from a clinical role to an academic role in speech pathology research.
 

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Equal Futures Award
Project Grant
Researchers:
Description:

Gillian will use her Equal Futures funding for 3-4 one-on-one sessions with an external professional mentor and also to  travel to New Zealand to build and strengthen her collaborations with Maori researchers to enable Gillian to reach her goal of being a national and international leader in Indigenous Health research.
 

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Understanding suicide in young Australians
Project Grant
Researchers:

Professor Chris Doran, Dr Rod Ling
 

Description:

Most deaths by suicide are among young people.

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2015 Training Institute for Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health
Travel Grant
Researchers:
Description:

Travel support for Dr Yoong to attend & participate in the 2015 Training Institute for Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health (TIDIRH) supported by the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, July 26-31, 2015.

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Viruses, Infections / Immunity, Vaccines & Asthma
Viruses, Infections / Immunity, Vaccines & Asthma
Viruses, Infections / Immunity, Vaccines & Asthma

A novel peanut allergy biomarker to predict anaphalaxis risk
Project Grant
Description:

Year 1 - $16,050
Year 2 - $10,700
Total - $26,750

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Viral infections in the BLT cohort in the first year of life
Project Grant
Award for Early Career Research - Susan Hua
HMRI Award for Early Career Research
Researchers:
Greaves Family Postgraduate Scholarship in Medical Research
Scholarship
Researchers:

Mr James Pinkerton, Jay Horvat, Phil Hansbro

Description:

The Greaves Family Postgraduate Scholarship in Medical Research will allow James Pinkerton to complete his PhD studies to understand the mechanisms that underpin steroid-resistant asthma.

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Inflammatory Mechanisms of Airways disease - Post Doctoral Fellow (1.0FTE) + Research Assistant (0.5FTE)
Project Grant
Researchers:
MERINO2: A randomised controlled trial comparing two different antibiotics for blood stream infections caused by the 'ESCaPM' group of antibiotic resistant Gram negative bacteria
Project Grant
Researchers:

Dr Joshua Davis, Associate Professor Michael Boyle

Description:

Blood stream infection caused by bacteria known as ESCaPMs (an acronum standing for their names: Enterobacter, Serratia, Citrobacter, Providencia and Morganella) is common and promlematic, with over 45 cases at JHH annually. 

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Exploring Novel Therapies for Cystic Fibrosis
Project Grant
Researchers:

Dr Hock Tay, Dr Maximilian Plank, Dr Steven MaltbyLaureate Professor Paul Foster

Description:

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder that affects 1 in 2,500 people born in Australia. 

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Specifically targeting the airways to prevent virus-induced asthma attacks
Project Grant
Description:

Around 10% of the Australian population sufffer from Asthama. Current therapies prevent only ~40% of asthma exacerbations. 

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Investigation of the role of mechanical forces in respiratory disease
Project Grant
Improving diet quality to reduce risk of asthma attacks in children
Project Grant
Description:

Asthma is the most common chronic childhood disease, affecting 10% of Australian children.

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Investigating the role of microbiomes in COPD
Project Grant
Description:

Smoking leads to lung inflammation that causes emphysema - a major health problem in Australia.

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Lung-function in early life for children at high asthma risk
Equipment Grant
Description:

Currently infants from the BLT cohort will be followed-up at birth, 6 weeks of age and 12 months of age.

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