University Secures Record Funding For Health And Medical Research

Main Category: Respiratory / Asthma
Also Included In: Breast Cancer;  Stroke;  Mental Health
Article Date: 18 Oct 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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The University of Newcastle has received a record $14.8 million from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

Funding for four research projects into asthma, breast cancer, stroke and mental illness accounts for almost half of the total amount awarded to the University.

Professor Barney Glover, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), said the funding would support 18 research projects as well as infrastructure and equipment.

"Of particular significance is the $2.9 million awarded to Professor Peter Gibson and his team for a study to explore a new way of treating inflammations in asthma patients," he said.

"Professor John Forbes - a world leader in breast cancer - has obtained more than $1.6 million to continue his work, while Professor Ulrich Schall has been granted more than $1.5 million for his work on mental illness in young people.

"Associate Professor Chris Levi has received $1.1 million to study the role of genetic and environmental factors in stroke."

There is also funding for research into pregnancy, the effect of chronic stress and depression on the heart, prostate cancer, melanoma treatment and male fertility.

Researchers from five of the University's Priority Research Centres (PRC) are among the successful recipients.

"The PRC for Asthma and Respiratory Diseases, the PRC for Bioinformatics, Biomarker Discovery and Information-Based Medicine, and the PRC for Reproductive Science have performed especially well, securing more than $9 million of the total amount awarded to the University."

The University's Priority Research Centres bring together researchers across health, energy and the environment, and science and engineering. The health-related PRCs work in collaboration with HMRI.

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Professor Peter Gibson is a Conjoint Professor at the University of Newcastle and Hunter New England Health respiratory specialist. He is Co-Director of the University's Priority Research Centre for Asthma and Respiratory Diseases and conducts research in collaboration with the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) Viruses, Infections/Immunity, Vaccines and Asthma (VIVA) Research Program.

Associate Professor Chris Levi is a Conjoint Professor at the University of Newcastle and a Hunter New England Health neurologist who heads the HMRI Stroke Research Group.

HMRI is a partnership between the University of Newcastle, Hunter New England Health and the community.

Source: Katie Porritt
Research Australia

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