The Menzies Research Institute was today awarded more than $3 million in research project grants by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

The Menzies Research Institute was today awarded more than $3 million in research project grants by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

Seven research project grants were received that will help researchers better understand diseases like multiple sclerosis, cystic fibrosis, and risk factors for obesity, heart disease and diabetes in young adults.

More than 28 per cent of applications from Tasmanian researchers were funded, which is above the national average.

Vice-Chancellor, University of Tasmania, Professor Daryl Le Grew said the funding allocation was a tribute to the outstanding work of the Menzies Research Institute team under the leadership of Professor Simon Foote.  

"The Menzies Research Institute has lifted the medical research efforts and reputation in Tasmania to a new level," he said.

"Menzies continues to build its reputation as one of the leading medical research institutions in the country."

Professor Simon Foote said Menzies had performed exceptionally well in the funding round, with the outcome testament to Menzies' high calibre of medical research.

"Congratulations must go to all those involved. This is an exceptional outcome and we look forward to moving these

exciting projects forward."

""The NHMRC funding will provide our researchers with significant resources needed to continue their innovative research that will benefit the health of Australians,'' he said.

A total of $357 million in NHMRC funds was announced by the Federal Government this morning.

FURTHER DETAILS:

NHMRC Project Grants:

Associate Professor Bruce Taylor, Senior Member $690,000

Factors that predict the rate of progression following a first episode of multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis is the second most common cause of neurological morbidity in young Australians after trauma.  This study aims to identify people at risk of developing multiple sclerosis and to understand the progression of the disease.

Associate Professor Alison Venn, Deputy- Director $349,700

How do life-stage transitions and depression affect the risk of heart disease and diabetes in young adults? This study will investigate how depression, smoking, poor diet, physical inactivity and alcohol consumption in young adults influences the risk of developing obesity, heart disease and diabetes.  Understanding these risk factors as part of this study will then aid in developing appropriate prevention strategies.

Dr David Reid, Honorary Member $245,750

Cystic fibrosis exacerbations.

Cystic fibrosis lung disease is characterised by infection with a bug called Pseudomonas aeruginosa.  This study will investigate the behaviour of bacteria that causes lung infections in people with cystic fibrosis, and the response of their immune systems to reduce lung damage. 

Dr Roger Chung, Senior Research Fellow $392,750

How does the LRP receptor megalin promote regenerative neuronal growth?

Promoting the regenerative growth of neurons to allow recovery from traumatic brain injury or Alzheimer's disease is a major goal of neuroscientists.  This project continues the Chief Investigators' work in which they have discovered the regenerative potential of a protein and focuses on how this protein interacts with a key neuronal receptor, megalin, which appears to drive the regenerative process.  This work will identify new targets for therapies for a range of nervous system disorders.

Professor David Small, Professorial Research Fellow $594,375

The cause of nerve degeneration in familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy
(How amyloid causes neurodegeneration: the role of transthyretin in familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy)

This project seeks to understand the biochemical basis of nerve degeneration in a disease known as familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy.  This disease is caused by a protein known as transthyretin, which is abnormally deposited around nerves and causes nerve damage.  The project is highly likely to provide clues which help us understand some related dementia causing diseases like Alzheimer's disease and prion diseases such as scrapie and mad cow disease.

Professor James Vickers, Deputy Director $385,125

Nerve cell damage following traumatic brain injury
(Determining the cellular mechanism underlying diffuse axonal injury following brain trauma)

Traumatic head injury causes transient stretch injury to the nerve cell processes within the brain. This leads to a poorly understood series of cellular changes within nerve cells which may ultimately lead to their breakage and subsequent neurological disability. This project seeks to understand how this nerve cell damage forms, and explores new potential interventions which may protect the brain.

Professor Mark Nelson, Professorial Research Fellow $125,050

ABIDING
(Ankle Brachial Index Determination by oscillometric method IN General practice) (ABIDING)

People who have peripheral arterial disease (PAD) have blockages of the circulation to their legs.   If you have PAD you have blood vessel disease throughout the body and are very likely to have a heart attack or experience a stroke. PAD can be diagnosed simply by comparing the blood pressure in the arms and legs. Until now this needed a special costly instrument. New blood pressure machines can do this without this instrument. We want to know how reliably this can be done by practice nurses.

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